Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Cirali beach accommodation, Turkey, independent reviews
 Reviewed 18 Jun 2008 by Tom McLoughlin |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Arcadia Lodge itself was a wonderful haven, with it's lush gardens, relaxed atmosphere and ever-helpful staff. The policy of no TV or even radio, with no intrusive lighting at night (amazing star scape) and the fact that the food from their kitchen was absolutely great, meant that it was very tempting not to leave the grounds for the whole holiday.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Insect repellent is a must, the walk to Olympos is more than worth a tramp in the heat, be prepared to be woken up by the in-house cockerel!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, the low-impact guest houses and pensions seemed to be the main local businesses on Cirali beach, aside from some agriculture, and provided work for fairly large groups of staff. Arcadia Lodge in particular had gardeners, chefs, great front of house and an owner/fisherman. The businesses carefully maintained the zero lighting towards the beach at night to prevent any problems for the turtles in their laying areas, and the nature reserve in the area seemed reasonably maintained (although not without litter). Otherwise there were no other overt eco-features.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a really lovely, very relaxing break. Thoroughly recommended.
| Reviewed 9 Oct 2009 by Guy Hart | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It's hard to say what the most memorable thing was but one memory that stands out is being served an absolutely delicious breakfast every day at a table with a perfect white table cloth surrounded by flowers, friendly hens and kittens - all right on the edge of a stunning beach! It was the sort of thing you normally only see in the upmarket colour supplements.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't go if you like lots of noise and living on burgers. If you do go, get the hotel to arrange a local boat trip. Kekova and Myra are also very well worth a visit and the hotel will arrange it for you.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. The hotel complements the environment beautifully and is run by people who really care about the local area.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
For a relaxing ,quiet break I'd give it 10 out of 10.
| Reviewed 26 Aug 2008 by Gideon Lyons | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
When we first arrived at Arcadia, after a long bumpy hot taxi drive, we found an oasis of fruit trees, animals and beautiful bungalows. Very rarely does a place actually look better than the brochure - it was like the Garden of Eden! We were greeted by friendly staff and we knew this was going to be an amazing week.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take the bikes and see chimera. If you go around dusk, you'll get there before the crowds but it is still incredibly exciting. The ruins at Olympos are also good but very crowded. We ate three times at Oleander which is up the beach towards Olympos - great restaurant. Cirali is very secluded and quiet - make sure you've got lots of books, games etc.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
From what we saw, Cirali appears to be a pretty sustainable place with lots of local produce. The turtles certainly seem to like it!
| Reviewed 22 Aug 2008 by Robert Hale | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The superb accommodation and location of "Arcadia". This place was out of this world! The opportunity given to observe the Turtle hatchlings making their way to the sea, if one is up early enough, and the absolutely tranquil location of the properties in Arcadia 2 (the properties a little further back from the sea) making this an ideal place for a honeymoon (or second honeymoon!!!).
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Arcadia is fairly remote, I would not recommend for the elderly and infirm, although the staff at the location were excellent and helpful and would offer any required assistance.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Arcadia was excellent in every possible way. Even the beachside restaurant was scarcely, yet subtly lit at night to avoid disturbing the turtles and also thus helping to create a very romantic atmosphere! It offered employment to the local population.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
As stated above the accommodation at Cirali was amongst the best I have had the pleasure of staying in. The transfers from the Airport and between locations went like clockwork.
| Reviewed 26 Sep 2007 by Clifford Blunt | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The peace and quietness and absence of children at a hotel and on the beach.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared to use your feet to get about in this remote area.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, the 2 miles long beach is a protected site for turtle nesting and hatching, the hotel was completely eco friendly.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The best value for money in 30 years of travelling around the world.
| Reviewed 23 Sep 2008 by Natalie Stewart | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We spent two wonderful relaxing weeks on honeymoon at the Arcadia Hotel. The time simply melted away while we sheltered under the umbrellas on the beach reading books, swam in the sea, nodded off in the hammock outside the front porch of our bungalow or ate amazing meals under the stars. The staff at Arcadia are so friendly and helpful - nothing is too much trouble. The food is absolutely fantastic - fresh fish, steak, vegetables, salad, homemade bread - all freshly made.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't forget to budget for your evening meals. Whilst the set menu is good value, the drinks are quite expensive. A bottle of house wine comes in at 40 lira (about £16-£20 depending on your exchange rate). The food is absolutely amazing though! Take a pair of rubber soled water shoes - the beach is quite pebbly and a pair of these will stop you doing the 'ouch pebble dance' when you go for a swim!
Make sure that your driver leaves plenty of time when taking you back to the airport - our driver collected us about two hours before our flight and we almost missed it! The transfer takes at least 90 minutes and even longer in rush hour traffic.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - the food is fresh and local. The staff live locally and travel to work by bike. The complete lack of commercial tourism was so nice.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazing. A complete escape.
| Reviewed 28 Jul 2008 by Helga Marcar | |
This was a great holiday which we both enjoyed. The 'hotel' was great and just what we wanted simple clean quiet. The food was fantastic every time, the staff were friendly and very helpful nothing was too much trouble. The swimming was great, water clean, warm, blue, fabulous. And finally please don't tell too many people about it and we hope it stays the way it is. No music, no phones, no TV, no loud neighbours, for those who want that sort of thing let them find somewhere else there are plenty of them.
| Reviewed 8 Oct 2007 by Jenny Crowther | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Cirali is beautiful, according to others that know Turkey, we had the best! That goes for Arcadia 2 as well, Armet and all his staff were so happy to be there and helps with anything we needed but above all the organic principals the hotel is run by gave us a truly relaxed and healthy holiday. The rooms were light with views of the mountains and clear white fresh linen and towels in a pine clad spacious thatched bungalow. All windows are covered with a fine unnoticeable insect screen so you can have them open anytime without worrying and a safe is provided for security. No TV, radios or music was bliss but internet is available at reception if you need it anytime. We tried food around the area but always found nothing could beat Arcadia’s delicious meals and its organic principles. Dining on the beach was fantastic day and night, so romantic.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
No problems with insects or mosquitoes, thanks to the hens. These can take some getting used to at night, they are throughout the area and don't only crow at dawn! Earplugs might be helpful but we all got used it very quickly. The Roman sites were fantastic in amazing settings too so do hire a car but get a confident driver as the Turkish think they or on a rally!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We were very grateful that Armet has banned the practice of unnecessary pesticide spraying lorries, that passing the centre’s beach side restaurants, from coming anywhere near our part of Cirali! Locally sourced food and no hormones in the meat. The free bicycles mean not many use cars, walking a cycling is the normal way to get around. Arcadia is so environmentally aware, the lighting is low energy and is subdued on the beach side so as not to confuse the turtles that hatch nearby. You feel it works with the surroundings and creates minimum impact on wildlife.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A wonderfully restful amazing experience. Booking with Serkan of this operator was easy, he was always happy to answer any questions, of which we had many before we went. The whole experience has left us wanting to return some day. Thank you to everyone!
| Reviewed 10 Jul 2007 by Rachel Innes | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Friendly and very helpful staff who genuinely want to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. The generous sized beech huts made this stay feel very unique. The food was amazing!! Cycling from the hotel to the local sights, shops and restaurants.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The meals are exceptionally good value and a very high quality but its worth bearing in mind you need to budget and extra £20 per person per day for evening meals.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
By offering wooden huts for both accommodation and for the communal dining area the beech and surrounding areas felt very unspoilt and natural.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A hugely relaxing experience we came back feeling very refreshed!! Fantastic for people who want to totally switch off.
| Reviewed 3 Jul 2007 by Jonny LeRoy | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
A close call between:
* lounging around doing very little in beautiful surroundings
* eating delicious food served by friendly staff
* a late night visit to the eternal flames of the Chimaera, just up the road
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
A great place - don't hesitate to book it ... definitely make time to go and see the Chimaera
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really good - just what we needed