Akra Didim Resort & Spa

So we came here early July and I want to share our experience with 2 adults and 2 children. Having been to IKOS & XO we were always going to have high expectations. Arrival: Nice welcome drink and the interiors were gorgeous - welcoming relations staff who asked about our experiences we other hotels of which we mentioned we went to. They ended up changing our room as said it was a better one - upon arriving to the room we had 2 sofa beds and 2 singles (did email way ahead to ensure this could be accommodated and they said they would “try”. As a married couple I was a bit deflated, however called guest relations and they immediately changed this to a double bed - so a good start to the holiday. The “better” garden view was overlooking the padel courts, which leads me to believe the “better” room meant we weren’t overlooking the car park…we did book a garden view, however the word garden is a push! Also no tanning area as the building is shaped to be in the shade. Pools: Nice variety, kids loved the slides, however in this area there was no QR codes so you either go to the fridges by the pool (no alcohol) or head to the bar - a slight walk up the stairs / escalator but nevertheless a walk… Atmosphere: Having been to other resorts and whilst we understood the concept outlined it was a little too chilled, I did ask guest relations about music one day around the pool of which they actioned quickly as some days it was on and other days it wasn’t. Just nice to cut through the silence in my opinion. Entertainment: We enjoyed the shows as we enjoyed the music, seating area was kid friendly as not high chairs. I do think 9.45pm start is a little late for families to enjoy - a warmup act would be good. Entertainment team do try and can say it was average. Food: Really enjoyed the Livar for lunch - great salad bar too! Incir (first time was excellent in service and food) I promised I would tip on the next time I was going to come but the cash machine in reception didn’t work. When we turned up another night and I explained I couldn’t get a tip out as promised the service had a significant disparity to the first time which was a shame. Giving off a “what’s the point in putting in the effort” which was a shame. But we did enjoy the food. Buffet whilst ok was way too repetitive, no themed nights so we tried to avoid most of the time. A lot of the food was also lukewarm, so not pleasant. Not much meat options either. Flies everywhere but expected. Booking the Al a cartes are a nightmare. We managed 3 in a week stay 2 of which were the same. I never understood why because I’d either WhatsApp at 10am, or turn up to reception way before 10am and sent away as no availability. WhatsApp responses extremely slow. Most of the al a cartes are empty. They don’t have except for walk ins or allow other guests to attend if a no show. Not sure why this isn’t looked into, or is deliberate to manage a nicer dining experience than experience a full restaurant, or the hotel simply doesn’t want the overheads of the ingredients used? Not sure but odd. Rooms: Not enough storage for draws - day time clothes had to be left on a bench which overwhelmed the room. Even if we asked for more hangers would been a struggle. Mini bar: average. No wines and replenished oddly. I did request an early room tidy as one day we left at 8am and by 3 our room was as still not tidied, but they accommodated. Shampoo etc v good though! And our bed was super comfy when made into a double, yet was more a king size when they changed the mattress on arrival. Kids club: Girls did woodwork but definitely for adults to support as quite dangerous The other kids club inside the hotel is ok for younger kids - but small so my girls were a little bored Sports bar: Visually great which we could have some bar food there though. Bowling also shut at 8pm so quite early Drinks: Enjoyed the cocktails! Arda is fantastic! Guys on the skates were fantastic too always bringing me drinks and friendly. Bar staff never scrimped on the cocktail ingredients! Adults area: I went on my own one day and the loungers are so much better than the other ones which were uncomfortable after a bit. I am singing from a lot of peoples hymn sheet in saying it seems adults areas were considered first over families. And I stand by that. Beach: Probably the worst part of the experience - Understand there is a concept in place but sand for adults / QR codes and pebbles for kids. Not sure why it was proposed this way. We didn’t like it at all, visually and from a comfort perspective it felt like a complete after thought. It was beyond disappointing and the pebbles HURT so get footwear! We spent 30 mins here and left as was quite embarrassing for a 5 star resort. The ice cream fridges need to be placed in additional sections around the pool too - kids would love it and usually help themselves! One day we lost all of our belongings off the sun lounger whilst we went to breakfast; this included our daughters life jacket (she is 5), sun creams, sun shoes, water pistols the lot - we were gutted. I advised guest relations whilst unsuccessfully trying to make a dinner reservation as my husband had called me as the girls were distressed. Guest relations said they’d contact the cleaners. In the end my husband trawled the resort / toilets / storage cupboard himself and eventually found them. Turned out the cleaners moved it as other guests were using them…a note left would have been helpful. Overall it’s a lovely resort - food in the restaurants except the buffet of what we tried was excellent. Drinks were great too and plenty you can ask not on the menu. I would still say it’s 5 stars but not a resort we would return to. The atmosphere is far too quiet so lacks vibrancy. We did really enjoy the entertainment of singers - the choice of songs were right up our street! We didn’t manage to enjoy any events after the “shows” but I have heard they are ramping it up. If the kids beach, Al a Carte bookings, diversity in the buffet and the odd tweaks get sorted I think it could really be a competitor in Turkey, but for now, there’s work to do. I’d also add a guitarist set near the round infinity pool seating area. Stunning views but bring some calming entertainment. In short we won’t be back but hope everyone enjoys their time away. Not all holidays are for everyone and there will always be teething problems upon opening, but we’ve been to new hotels before but this has missed the mark.

I had a wonderful week at Akra Didim in June. I stayed in a suite which was spacious and comfortable with beautiful views across the hotel to the sea. Nespresso machine was a nice touch and the balcony was comfortable. The room was cleaned daily and the whole hotel is beautifully furnished and decorated. I really liked the pool area with great bar service via QR code and waiters on skates. I enjoyed the cocktails by the fire pit also with excellent service. Drinks are high quality and the varied food menus are always fresh and have something for everyone. You don’t feel like you’re in a family all inclusive hotel at Akra Didim because there is so much attention to detail and no restrictions on the concept. Small but thoughtful points such as freely available beach towels and easy access to à la carte restaurants just make it more relaxed than many all inclusive hotels. The shows on the Livar stage were brilliant. The dance team are, like the hotel, working at a higher level than most all inclusive holiday destinations. Professional choreography, great costumes and brilliant performances all round. I loved the Zeytin Dali show which draws on local Aegean culture. It was also lovely to have the opportunity to chat to the dancers who circulate well with the guests and are from all over the world. Well done to Natalie, Baran and the whole team!

After just one day, we’re extremely disappointed. We arrived late last night and our room wasn’t even set up properly for a family of four. The storage is shocking, there were no clothes hangers, the room was unbearably hot and the fridge was warm with just one bottle of water for four people. There were no welcome gifts or children’s toiletries, which we’ve received at many other family hotels in Turkey. On arrival, we were simply handed a map and shown the main buffet restaurant. We weren’t shown around the resort, told where anything was, informed about the entertainment or kids’ club, or even told how to book the à la carte restaurants other than “use the app”. It was a very poor and impersonal welcome. The overall feeling is that families with children are an inconvenience rather than a priority. Service around the family pools is poor, there is no visible entertainment team or kids’ club staff encouraging children to join activities or letting guests know what’s happening, and there is very little atmosphere. Today there was a beach dj and our children were excited when they heard the music and wanted to go and have a look. We walked over only to find out it was adults only. It was just another example of how little seems to be put on for families and how disappointing the overall experience has been. To make matters worse, we can’t book an à la carte restaurant until the fourth day of our 14-night holiday. We much prefer eating in the à la carte restaurants as a family, yet Guest Relations couldn’t have seemed less interested when we raised the issue. We stayed at Barut in April, during the off-season and it completely puts this hotel to shame. The welcome, service, organisation and family experience there were on another level despite it being much quieter. The adults-only area is huge and looks fantastic, but even that lacks music and atmosphere. It also makes no sense to dedicate so much space to adults while families are spread across two separate pools and a slide pool. The only real positive so far is the food, which has been good. Hopefully things improve over the next two weeks, because based on our first day, this has been a very disappointing start to what should have been a luxury family holiday.

Arrived late last night, room was not fully stocked, two bottles of water in a warm fridge for 3 people plus a half drank bottle. No tea, milk, snacks etc. The room does not have enough storage for a family, 2 drawers and 4 coat hangers. First day round the pool today and honestly, as a family, we feel like an inconvenience to the staff. Everything is catered for adults only. Not seen one person from the kids club, terrible service round the pool and quite frankly we would not have booked if it had been described as an adults only hotel with a poor man’s area for families. Only positive so far has been the food.

It was such a good holiday. Highlight would be the Incir restaurant I would highly advise it, all the staff there are lovely especially Fahti i would like to say a special thanks to him. Also loved watching the World Cup all the staff are goated been such a good holiday. Love having a lodge as well i would highly recommend getting that room. The scenery and location is very good. Atmosphere is nice with a mild night life with shows every night.