Sultan Sipahi Resort

Disappointing stay – great location, but serious issues with hygiene, food, and staff.

I unfortunately had one of the worst hotel experiences of my life at Sultan Sipahi Resort, and feel compelled to warn other travelers.

The food: The quality was genuinely poor and unappetizing to look at. The same dishes were served every single day – typically chicken and rice – with no variation. Some of the cakes in the dessert buffet were so old they could barely be cut. On one of the days, I became ill after eating there, and the hotel restaurant was the only place I had eaten.

Cleanliness and hygiene: The carpets in the hallways were stained everywhere, and there was a bad smell in several areas of the hotel. Rooms were not cleaned daily – you had to actively request it yourself.

The sauna and "free" spa offers: The hotel advertises a free sauna, but in practice I was met with intense pressure to buy extra services like massages, hammam, and mud treatments. Staff would not let up even after repeated refusals, and it became genuinely unpleasant to be approached so many times after I had already said no. I was told outright that I wasn't a "real" customer, and that paying guests came first – so I often had to wait several hours to use the supposedly free sauna. One female staff member behaved outright disrespectfully: after I had waited, as arranged with her manager, she still refused to let me into the sauna. When I objected, she pointed her finger right in my face and declared that she was the boss there. I had to go get her manager to be left in peace – and even then, the sauna had been partially turned off, despite it having been arranged in advance. On a later visit, the same woman blocked my way in a mocking manner, and when I turned around in shock to leave, the manager stood there laughing and brushed it off with "she's just joking." I did not find it funny.

General service: The staff clearing tables in the restaurant seemed understaffed, and old plates were often left sitting out for a long time. The evening "entertainment" consisted solely of music – nothing else.

Overall atmosphere: The atmosphere at the hotel was not pleasant.

The positives: The bar staff were a bright spot, especially one of the women, who was always smiling and friendly. The location close to the beach was also good.

Downside at the beach: The private beach the hotel advertises requires extra payment for sunbeds, and as a hotel guest you're not even allowed to enjoy your own drinks there.

Overall, the hotel does definetely not live up to its 4-star rating -at all. I cannot recommend this place.

Remember that 4* doesn’t reflect the quality of the hotel but what it offers on paper!! We arrived at 04:00 tired, yet didn’t get a room until 11:30 (given several reasons from, keycards not working to rooms wasn’t clean yet.) told to “just take a sleep in the lobby” we were 1 of five rooms waiting! With some who had arrived 20:30 the previous night. !! Spoke to the manager the following day about this issue, he was rude and fobbed me off!! Reception staff had to finish whatever it was they were texting before they even picked up their heads to speak to you (soo rude) POOL AND SPA yes it has several pools (good luck finding a sun lounger there’s about 30 ! ) and only one main pool (plus kids pool) the other pools are no bigger than a metre circle to sit for a cool off! Yes It has a spa, but we had already found one closer with better reviews, coupled with the staff were rude!! (Apart from the young lad) OUR ROOM towels not changed all week! Room was only cleaned (empty ashtray and bathroom bin, bed made.) 3 times! A/c worked but sounded like a plane landing. Fridge empty and broken! Bed did have nice firm mattress, but pillows were way too firm (like sleeping on a brick!) Balcony was decent size with table and chairs. Shower was about the only decent thing, no matter what time. (apart from when upstairs took a shower then we had a leak!) MEALS Let me first say I am not a fussy eater, but this was NASTY. (2 days found something edible) more slop than “à la carte” still baffled how you can make omelette soo spongy! Other guests pushing past you (like it was the last meal they would ever eat!) Wobbly tables!

BAR Only pool bar (female bartender was rude if you dared to stand lobby side!) yes they had soft drinks on tap and a very small selection of alcoholic options. (Paper cups and plastic glasses only!)

LOCATION (the only plus) Amazing, it is just across the road from the beach (but you will have to pay €10 for 2 loungers and umbrella and extra for drinks, so consider this) A 2 min walk to shops and plenty of nice (both ends of the scale price wise) restaurants. There’s a Cable car that goes up to the castle was lovely. Plenty of agents to buy trips off (we found Eddy who gave us what we felt was good prices.) 15/20 slow walk to the harbour where there’s a huge nighttime market for gifts and “turkey originals” clothing/bags!! (Other shops closer too)

CONCLUSION

Would definitely go to Alanya and Keopatra beach area again, it was so pretty and outside of the hotel people were so friendly, lots to do on the doorstep. (To be fair rep in reception was lovely, but his hands were tied on helping us with hotel issues) As for the hotel NOT EVEN IF IT WAS FREE!!! To be fair we got the hotel on a deal that was equal to other bed and breakfast options so eating out wasn’t an issue (as only 2 of us) Seriously stay away from this hotel, even the locals said it was the worst hotel on the strip!!