Kirman Hotels Sidemarin Beach and Spa

We transferred to Kirman Sidemarin after deciding that the beach situation at Calyptus was simply not for us.

Smaller in scale and with a marine-inspired design, Sidemarin immediately felt different.

We waited patiently for our room until 14:00, but meanwhile had full access to the hotel amenities and could have lunch.

The restaurant was smaller, but suddenly there was a wine cooler, matured meat and real wood panelling.

It felt a little like getting into a 2009 full-option Mercedes E-Class: not the newest thing on the road anymore, but solid, comfortable, properly equipped and somehow reassuring.

Again, the restaurant seemed understaffed, but the personnel were exceptionally kind, friendly and engaging.

The room was perfectly fine. Real wood panelling and wardrobes, a nice balcony and a bathroom unmistakably from the 2010s — but clean, with no mould and no unpleasant smells. And it came with the full tourist bathroom collection: shower gel, conditioner, toothpaste and so on.

The minibar was another story entirely:

Chivas, Efes, Coca-Cola, Fanta, pistachios, nuts...

Two levels above Calyptus.

The Smart TV was an older, smaller model, but perfectly adequate.

Our room faced the pools of the neighbouring hotel. By 10 p.m. the noise was gone.

At dinner time, however, we were thoroughly marinated in the smell of köfte coming from somewhere below. I believe I eventually found the pipe responsible, lurking rather discreetly among the palm trees.

Balkan aromatherapy. 😎

The pools and gardens were beautifully designed and made the hotel feel much more like an established resort.

And then, finally, the reason we moved:

The beach.

The beach restaurant was exactly what a beach restaurant at a Turkish resort should be, serving delicious traditional Turkish food.

The beach itself was much larger, although we preferred the pier, with its excellent views over the beach and especially the sunset.

Superb.

But then you enter the water.

Just beneath the surface, the children of Scylla appear to be waiting patiently to test the stability of every joint in your lower limbs.

My knee somehow survived.

Swimming shoes are not optional here.

Once past that little orthopaedic examination, however, the water was warm, pleasant and easy to swim in.

All in all, an excellent day at the beach.

What would I change?

Sidemarin needs evolution, not revolution.

Bring in a good interior designer who understands how to make minimal, intelligent updates without destroying the character of the hotel.

Then call some engineers from Istanbul or Izmir University and solve those restaurant exhausts — yours or your neighbour’s, because I am still not entirely sure where the köfte aromatherapy was coming from.

And finally:

Hire more restaurant staff.

The people already working there were excellent. They simply need reinforcements.

Would I return?

At the right price, yes.

There were excellent meals, genuinely kind people, beautiful sunsets, warm Mediterranean water and moments we will remember fondly.

Sidemarin has age, but it also has character — and good bones.

Would I pay the same premium price for the privilege again?

Definitely not.

Was it my-whole-year’s-holiday-budget excellent?

That is where the twist comes in. 😁

We travelled as a family 4 adults 2 children (8&12). Absolutely loved it. Majority of the guests were Turkish, German and very small number of fellow English - we we preferred! Staff were great. Main Pool was huge. Slides were great they operate 10.00 am -12pm & 14.00 -16.00pm manned by lifeguards. The jetty was amazing and the lifeguard working here was brilliant! There is a bar on it and plenty of sunbeds.

Each day we received a text to remind us not to reserve sunbeds.....but that was ignored! We always went down to the pool at 9.30am and there were always some left, plenty on the beach and jetty too. Food was great. The Italian for lunch is highly recommended! The Al carter Sushi restaurant was amazing! Beds super comfy, rooms.nice enough. We had a hot tub on our large balcony with 2 sun loungers. I enjoyed the Spa, but the hard sell for more treatments after annoyed me so I didn't book at more. We didn't watch any of the shows as we liked the Mocha bar (air con). But from what I saw they looked very professional. Games room was a big hit. Only downside was you have to be 15 to bowl! Id highly recommend this hotel and would return.