My mother lived in Marmaris and so we visited often. We always stay at the Grand Azur. You can't…read moreget a better hotel for the view, accommodations and comfort and the staff are always amazing. It IS pricy during the summer, you just can't get around that because it is one of the best hotels in town with beautiful views. During the summer, their pool is lovely, it's got a water slide and a river that flows in a circle so you can hop on a raft and coast down the little river. My kid spent entire days, from morning till evening, in the pool rather than swimming in the ocean, which is just steps beyond the pool. There's also a kiddie pool for the little ones who can't swim. On the beach, they have comfortable beach chairs and you are given a Grand Azur towel so they know you're a hotel guest...non-hotel guests aren't allowed on the beach so it doesn't normally get overly packed, which is really nice. Start your day out by eating at their massive breakfast buffet, which is free with paid room. They have everything from warm dishes (eggs, sausage, oatmeal) to a variety of fruits and veggies, at least 6 different types of olives, assortment of cheeses and cold cuts, breads, pastries, and sweets and the always desired honeycomb...our favorite. They've got a nice beach cafe that serves tasty lunch options or you can take a walk down the boardwalk and there are a variety of beachfront restaurants to eat lunch or dinner. They also serve a reasonably priced dinner buffet that you can purchase with your room or eat at the Steak Restaurant on the 5th floor, they do a delicious steak! They have a really nice spa where you can get massages, facials, etc. and it's a full service spa with sauna and an indoor pool and changing rooms with lockers and showers. They have very comfortable beds and the rooms are spacious, bathrooms are lovely. I have to say, I've done my fair share of traveling, and it is the cleanest hotel I've ever stayed in. No hair in the beds, no hair in the showers or on the bathroom floor. Really well done!
I recently stayed at GA during the winter when my mother became ill. They gave me a great discount on a suite that included breakfast and dinner (came to about $100/night) and considering I literally lived there for 2 weeks, it was wonderful not to have to make food or clean up after myself after having to drive back and forth several times a day to the hospital. The staff were so courteous and friendly and were so supportive during this very difficult time. They often let me take my dinner or breakfast to my room when I wasn't feeling up to being surrounded by people. On days I ate at the restaurant, it was served in the Steak Restaurant and the view was spectacular. It was lovely to eat dinner there, the meals were delicious, particularly their beef kabob...divine! They often had entertainment like a pianist or singing duo. Their breakfast buffet was pretty much on par as the ones served downstairs, you could have the chef cook up omelets or other egg options. I had a rental car and there was free parking during the winter. I ended up having a massage and I have to say, that was the only thing that wasn't perfect. The masseuse massaged like she needed to get it over with quickly. She was very aggressive, not deep but fast. I kept asking her to slow down, but she couldn't get the hang of it. I like a nice, slow, relaxing massage but it was just so fast and jerky...not relaxing at all. So make sure you are VERY clear about what you want. I think they're used to the giving hamams (Turkish baths) and for that you scrub vigorously. Speaking of which, I haven't had one here but I've heard it's very good. Their concierges are super helpful, you can get your laundry sent out, they'll help set up tours, pretty much whatever you need, they'll direct you. Oh, and their wifi was really good during this trip. When I went during the summer a few years ago, you couldn't get it in the room--only the lobby but I was able to get it in the room during this trip. However, it might be because it wasn't overly busy and a lot of people weren't using it, hard to say. They have satellite tv, about 7 english channels, a number of Dutch channels, and a variety of other foreign language channels. Rooms have refrigerators, coffee makers, hair dryers. I highly advise getting an ocean view or partial ocean view room and be sure to ask not to have a room that overlooks the hotels on either side of the hotel (if you have to get a non-ocean view room, ask for one that looks out of the front of the hotel). The rooms that overlook neighboring hotels can be noisy from the neighboring hotels. And if you get a room that overlooks the ocean, try to get one on the upper floors in the middle, west side, or along the outer circular part...they have the best view, although you don't get much of a choice in a suite, they're only located in specific spots. And be sure to tip! They deserve it!
