Monart City Hotel - All Inclusive

“A Really Super Hotel”

My daughter and I spent six nights at Monart City Hotel this October and had a wonderful time. We got a really good deal through Easyjet which included the flights and transfers, which made it really simple. I have to admit that the journey from the hotel was longer than expected (about three hours… more

My daughter and I spent six nights at Monart City Hotel this October and had a wonderful time. We got a really good deal through Easyjet which included the flights and transfers, which made it really simple. I have to admit that the journey from the hotel was longer than expected (about three hours) but on the plus side you get to see lots of Turkey through the window. The hotel is not one of the super duper palaces you see along the way, but was more of a friendly, homely, relaxed, comfortable place that fits in well with its surroundings rather than grandly lording it over the area. I was actually glad about that as some of the ones we saw on the way were amazing but quite obscene when you think how a lot of Turkish people are struggling financially. In a hotel like this you can feel happy to be supporting the local economy without being ashamed, and it was lovely to chat to all the people and be welcomed and at ease with them. The hotel room was quite small (not much space to unpack for example) but we soon got used to that and it was clean and very comfortable. In fact I think the mattresses were the best I've slept on in any hotel. They were the perfect mix of firm but soft and excellent for my bad back which really imrpoved while I was there. We paid a little extra (it wasn't much) for a 'deluxe' (I think it was) room, which was really worth it as we got a BEATUFUL view of the sea from our balcony and a safe to put our passports etc in. The road at the front is busy (and tricky to cross...I would suggest always accompanying children even if they are used to crossing roads by themselves in England, as it never seemed to turn green for pedestrians and there don't seem to be many rules for drivers..Once a man on a motorbike actually crossed along with us) but we got used to that too and didn't mind the noise as the balcony doors were quite good and the traffic made quite a comforting, friendly sound. We slept very, very well and it never kept us awake. My daughter did bring ear plugs, but that was for my snoring! Anyway, there are two pools, one at the front where you can get cocktails and more of the sun, and one at the back which is more shaded, with a water slide. The one at the back is very peaceful and we used it a lot. The pools are very clean and fresh and swimming was a joy! It was especially beautiful to be lying by the pool and hear the call to prayer from one of the local mosques. They both have bars next to them and sun beds. We were amazed by the fabulous value of the all inclusive deal as you have a buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and buffet supper/dinner, plus three bars (one on the beach) a little cafe for ice creams (delicious!!!) and coffees etc, plus another little cafe by the front pool, for cakes and coffees etc and a mini restaraunt with a salad bar, where you can order food like pasta, fish and chips (my daughter had that and it was lovely fresh salmon) and sandwiches etc. We really loved the veggie pizza which was made with lots of fresh vegetables. I'm vegetarian and it was easy to find lots to eat, eg yoghurt, eggs, melon, crossants and pancakes in the morning, and always a lot of variety at the salad bars, often a vegetable stew or some kind of stuffed vegetables, and an amazing choice of puddings and cakes, all looking very pretty. We had a lot of fun eating different things to normal, trying out the Turkish cuisine, eg feta pastries, or olives and turkish delight at breakfast. One of the really wonderful things was having a covered/shaded bar area with chairs and tables at the beach, sunbeds and umbrellas and little tables there, plus a nice clean toilet so you didn't need to come back over to the hotel, and phone chargers by the bar, and also showers to wash the sand off. My daughter loved their cold beer and I loved drinking coffee or sparkling water there. It was hard to believe it was all included in the price. I recommend swimming at sunset. It was absolutely beautiful and the sea was lovely and warm. There was also entertainment by the front pool each evening and people had a lot of fun dancing or joining in. There was belly dancing, live bands and lots of friendly, jolly participatory activities. The hotel lights around the balconies all start changing colours in the dark and look so attractive. Another thing I loved was the way the hotel accepts the cats and treat them kindly. There are a couple which get fed and also quite a few strays. The people in Turkey seem to love cats and are very kind to them, but obviously don't have a lot of spare ooney to feed them all or to get them neutered, but I only ever saw kindness towards them and they even sometimes give them little cat shelters or just accept and enjoy their presence. We bought lots of cat food and got a lot of pleasure from feeding them. The people in the hotel are very happy for you to feed them as long as it's not actually in the eating areas, which is understandable. If you like nature this is a great place as we saw egrets looking for fish on the beach, fireflies, butterflies and even dophins when we went on a boat trip. The staff who worked here were all very helpful and considerate and everybody seemed trustworthy and kind. The only warning I would give to travellers, which isn't specific to this hotel but is for the whole of Turkey, is that it can be a bit difficult to deal with some (not all, many of them are just friendly and respectful) of the men. If you are travelling as a female only group you may get tired of all the male attention (unless that is what you are looking for of course!). My daughter is 23 and we did find ourselves taking long ways round certain places to avoid some men. They are constantly coming up and giving notes and can be quite pushy. At the age of 57 I even had a bit of uninvited touching and felt like a bit of a guard dog for my daughter at times. However, that is nothing to do with this hotel but about Turkey in general and I just wanted to make people aware, so they will be prepared for that. Anyway, to sum up, I would highly reccomend this lovely hotel. They even let us keep our bands and remain as guests after check out, while we waited a few hours for our connection, so we could still eat, drink, use the facilities and enjoy our last bit of time there in comfort. I would love to go back there if I ever got the chance. It really was a delightful place and very beautiful, with the beach and the mountains and the cats and the delcious food and the kindness and generosity of the people at Monart City Hotel.

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