Olu Deniz, Hotel Karbel

This was our first visit to Turkey. The first impression of the Hotel and it's surroundings were very impressive. The hotel was kept spotless by the staff and the maid cleaned our rooms everyday and even put flowers on the beds. (a very nice touch). Very helpful and friendly staff.

The beach was a little pebbly but if you invest in a pair of beach shoes you'll be okay. The scenery is fantastic and beautiful.

This is definately not our last visit to this hotel and area.

A very enjoyable holiday, been home just 5 days but wishing we were still there.

Jones's Family - Wolverhampton, West Midlands

I came back from my holiday nearly a week ago and still have post holiday blues. The resort and hotel were great. I have been to Turkey 3 times now and both my sister and i agree this is by far the best place we've been to.

We had planned on a reasonably quiet holiday but that wasn't the case thanks to Zeki and the other guys! Thoroughly enjoyed the week and wished we had booked at least 2.

We had a two week stay at the Karbel Hotel small rooms but clean and air conditioned, maid service every day and flowers put in room for my birthday and on the beds. lovely breakfast and hotel in perfect location away from the noise but on the doorstep for all the restaurants and bars, n-joys best entertainment till early hours with dancing and karoke. lovely beaches sand and pebbles very hot shoes recommended. we will be going again next year in September as it was much to hot in July. lovely people lovely clean place. recommend to all age groups.

Hotel Karbel is in a beautiful area with reasonable night life unless you want Halikarnasus at Bodrum. Good Restaurants abound. Olu deniz is a world paragliding centre. Beatiful setting a ten minute stroll to the beach front. Hotel was immaculately clean when we visited in October 2008. Staff very good. Food was excellent, so much so we ate out only once. Two pools., I guess this was once two seperate hotels. Entertainment good. See the "snake" male belly dancer!

Not the largest rooms but well furnished and comfortable. Get drinks at Happy hour,drink prices can be a little high otherwise.The main beach is very coarse sand and pebbles and deepens quickly so I found it was not a very good swimming beach, I prefer the pools anyway.

Try it , Were going back June 2009, the only place we've ever returned to. This time staying half board at the Karbel.

I have been to hotel Karbel for 11 years so I have seen it change but I believe it was for the better because of the changes through the time its not bothered me at all. I have been to different places in Turkey such as Istanbul but to be truthful I don't think it was very nice. Karbells food is great the staff are all ways there to help and are always joking about with each other and the visitors. The hotel is very clean and the gardens are full of exotic plants if you go in early july you will be able to taste some of the local fresh made wine. When you get up in the morning you will be treated with fresh water melon cheese eggs and many more fruits and breads all turkish food is available from the pool bar from 12pm till 4:30 they also do english food at this bar. The turkish night and belly dance shows are a must see for all ages, the pool bars have a pool table darts board table football and table tennis. You must go, I am going in 3 weeks and then next year for 6 months so I hope you have fun its great for all the family.

The Hotel Karbel was excellent and the facilities and area. When we went in July we found there was too many wasps everywhere. Overall fantastic place to stay will definitely go again.

The staff were warm and friendly nothing was to much trouble for them, rooms and grounds were kept clean and tidy. Just had a great holiday at the Hotel Karbel, our 3rd it's a pleasure to go back.

Fantastic

Wow, what a place, I have been to Gumbet, and that was nowhere near the place that this is.

Loved it, booked as soon as I got back, and will go back sooner if money permits.

Hotel was clean, so were the streets.

People were very friendly and staff were amazing, great with kids.

Beach is close by, its a bit pebbly for me but lovely, and there is a bowling alley, 5 lira each really cheap.

I can't praise this place enough, great for kids and adults alike.

Try the Buzz Bar on the front, Captain Hooks, and N-Joy are all fab, but you will not be disappointed at any of the restaurants, you will book again.

Thoroughly enjoyed Olu Deniz. Lovely resort; small enough to be cosy and large enough to offer plenty for everyone. The fleets of Dolmus (minibus) that travel between Hisaronu (usual neon tourist town but a good night out), Fethiye (large Turkish port, great food and market), and Olu Deniz, make it incredibly simple to get around in about 15 minutes.

With reference to one of the negative reviews, I certainly didn't smell any sewage, and I found the Hotel Karbel perfectly adequate - at the end of the day you get what you pay for.

That said, the pool can get busy, and the wedding parties we overlapped with ensured a few too many kids and teens for our liking, hence our regular trips to the lagoon. It's very easy - either head for the beach (which is nice in it's own right) and turn right, or catch a minibus from one of the bars that takes you to the private beaches on the lagoon. Bliss. Quiet, relaxed, waiter service, good food, great beach bar - I could go on, but let me just recommend the private beaches as the place to chill out. They don't cost any more, and you're in the lap of luxury.

The pool bar staff at the Karbel were fine, except they often seemed a little distracted by the teenage girls staying at the hotel, and treated some males with a little disdain as a result.

Out in the resort you get touted by the bar and shop staff - don't take it the wrong way - a firm and friendly 'no' is usually enough, but whatever just keep walking and they'll soon go after someone else. If you're haggling with them don't give in too easily, as they'll always give a little more. They love a bit of banter over money, and it's a good laugh all round.

Nightlife is limited, but for a small resort there's plenty - some great restaurants (let me recommend Captain Hook on the main street - a little more than some others, but definitely worth it, and still peanuts in UK terms. Their sea bass is fantastic). Following your meal you can choose one of the quieter bars or head somewhere a bit louder - most of which are on the promenade and stay open later. There's also a bar on the beach if you head left - lovely and relaxing on comfy deckchairs surrounded by candles, listening to the waves, some nice music and sipping your drink.

Also, head to Fethiye for a more Turkish experience, and to Hisoranu if you want a big night out. Both are dead cheap in a taxi or 10 - 15 minutes in a Dolmus.

I would also recommend heading elsewhere; either on a boat trip as some of the coastline is beautiful and each stop uncovers another lovely little bay just crying out to be swum in. There is plenty of history in the area, and by visiting some of the ancient sites you will also see the 'real' Turkey and how the locals actually live. Don't forget there is a lot of poverty, and making a small purchase from time to time might just help a little.

Scuba diving is also worth trying. There are plenty of dive companies for the beginner up to expert, and they'll look after you wonderfully. A day on the boat out on the coast - and if not everyone fancies scuba they can snorkel, or just sunbathe and have a swim. It's good fun either way.

Overall, don't believe the bad hype. I've stayed in Gumbet and Bodrum as well as Egypt, and I would recommend Olu Deniz every time.