Orka World Hotel and Aqua Park

I recently stayed at Orka World Hotel in Ölüdeniz, and unfortunately it was one of the most disappointing all-inclusive holidays we’ve had.

The biggest surprise was the kids’ club. Charging €5 just for entry is unacceptable for an all-inclusive family hotel. We’ve stayed at many family resorts, and this has never been the case. Even after paying to get in, children are then charged extra if they want to colour, paint a T-shirt, or take part in other activities. It feels like every activity is another opportunity to make money.

Another major disappointment was the waterpark. Despite being an all-inclusive guest, all food and drinks inside the waterpark are charged at extra cost. Even worse, hotel guests are not allowed to take their own bottled water inside. At the very least, all-inclusive guests should either be allowed to bring bottled water or be provided with complimentary drinking water within the waterpark. Charging your own hotel guests for basic refreshments in these conditions leaves a very poor impression.

The entertainment was equally disappointing. The entertainment team often seemed more interested in entertaining themselves than the guests. They repeatedly played the same four or five songs throughout the day, often at excessive volume, regardless of what guests might actually enjoy. The evening entertainment lacked energy, variety and professionalism.

What was even more frustrating was seeing entertainment staff regularly allowing their favourite guests to skip the queue during games and activities. Children who had been patiently waiting their turn were overlooked while others were invited straight to the front. This was unfair and very disappointing to watch, especially for the children who had queued properly.

The “Turkish Night” was particularly underwhelming. There were almost no decorations or atmosphere, and it didn’t come close to representing Turkish culture or the standard you would expect from a hotel in Turkey.

The kids’ club entertainment every evening was bizarre. One staff member spent what felt like the entire night pretending to be a cat, constantly meowing—well over 100 times every evening. It became so repetitive that I was genuinely tempted to buy her a litter tray.

The rooms also need attention. We had ants and other bugs in the room throughout our stay, and the bathroom drains gave off a strong sewage smell. Neither is acceptable for a hotel of this standard.

The main swimming pool also had a damaged tile, which resulted in a cut to a family member’s foot. This is a clear health and safety issue and should have been repaired immediately. In addition, the main pool is approximately 2 metres deep throughout much of the pool, which is far too deep for many children and less confident swimmers. A more family-friendly design with a larger shallow section would make the pool much safer and more enjoyable for families.

The food offered plenty of variety, but the quality and flavour were average at best. There was nothing particularly memorable, and it certainly didn’t live up to expectations.

The waiting staff were friendly and worked hard clearing tables, but that was largely where the service ended. Drinks were rarely offered or brought to guests, and you were generally expected to get everything yourself. In addition, communication could be difficult as very few of the waiters spoke either English or Turkish fluently.

Overall, this hotel has the potential to be much better, but it currently falls well below the standard expected of an all-inclusive family resort. Between the constant extra charges, poor entertainment, maintenance issues, repetitive music, average food, lack of service and disappointing all-inclusive experience, I wouldn’t choose to stay here again or recommend it to others.

A fabulous experience!! One member of our party has several allergies and they could not have been more helpful!! TJ made sure everyone dealing with her was aware of the situation and made it so that she could enjoy the whole experience as much as everyone else!! Highly recommended!! Thank you so much!

A relaxing experience for me and my friend! They were very accommodating for me with my allergies, I loved the fact that I was able to still participate just with minor changes. Friendly, knowledgeable and kind staff who spoke excellent English. A five star experience!!!!