"Gumbet, Bodrum, Turkey" Bodrum by tinado

My husband and I have recently returned from our trip to Gumbet in Turkey and we were so impressed with our stay that I just had to write this review.

We stayed in the Serpina Hotel in Gumbet and from the moment we set foot in the door it was just absolutely wonderful. At 5am in the morning (horrid flight) we were greeted by a very pleasant man on reception and an equally pleasant young chap that showed us to our rooms. The first thing we noticed was how clean it was, followed by how pretty the pool area was with it lit up, followed by walking into an air conditioned room that had cold drinks waiting in the mini fridge. All in all a good start, but it only got better.

We have travelled a lot, and up to this we have felt nothing could surpass the friendliness of the Hawaiian or the Caribbean people, or the service and standard of accommodation in Dubai. But I have to say the Serpina has it all rolled into one.

In this hotel, you can go bed and breakfast, half board or all inclusive. We always go self catering or B&B, because we like to have a Chinese one night, Indian another, Italian another and so on. Breakfast finished at 10am so we were never up in time to have it. But we did have our lunch there every day and both the choice on the menu and the food itself are fantastic. It has an amazing selection and even more reasonably priced. We also had dinner there on our first evening, and the chef actually came out to our table to see was everything ok and if we were enjoying our meal. Something you don’t even get in top restaurants. We had 3 more dinners there during our fortnight, which were equally as nice. They also have a very good wine list and for someone that’s fussy like myself when I go away and can never find one I like, I was amazed when I told Michael, the Manager, what I liked, he was able to produce exactly what I wanted. With the exception of the restaurant, Altitude 95 in the Eiffel Tower in Paris, this is a feat that no one else has been able to do, for me, before.

The staff are absolutely wonderful and always have a smile for you. It is a credit to both the owner Ali and the manager, Michael, to the way in which the place is run. Nothing is too much bother or hassle for them. They are all just so nice and friendly and it‘s not put on. Whilst we were there it was my husband’s birthday. I asked would it be ok if I brought down 2 bottles of Bollinger that I had, to raise a toast to him. Straight away, Ali was on his mobile, telling me he was going to kill me for not telling me earlier. 30 minutes later, he had a belly dancer organised for him. She got everyone out dancing with her and it was brilliant craic. The next day we returned from the pool, the maid obviously saw the birthday cards I had brought from everyone hanging up and she made the beds up all fancy, with the covers like a napkin and all flower petals arranged on it. Wonderful!!

Michael has a way about him that he is able to bring all types of people together to mix and enjoy themselves. Whilst there were a really nice lot of people staying there, it’s normally inevitable there would be some personality clashes over 2 weeks beside a pool or down the corridor. But not here, he has a rate talent for being able to create a blissful ambience. There was one day that I was cooling down in the pool and I looked all around me and all I could hear and see were people talking to one another, laughter and pure contentment. And with my husband close by, for one fleeting second I experienced that thing that is so elusive in this life = a feeling that this must be what Heaven is like.

The place is so safe for children as well and has its own little pool for them. The staff regularly walk around the pool to see if you are ok for drinks, so you don’t even have to get up. You also don’t have to bring money down to the pool with you as you can run a tab that you can either settle that day or at the end of your holiday. They also come around with a big board that has a picture of all the ice creams in their fridges and you just point and they will be back to you with them in 2 minutes.

The pool area is lovely, with bougainvillea trees and hibiscus flowers plus many more all around, that are so well maintained. There was always more than ample amount of sun loungers and brollies, so no rushing down early to put down your towel.

They put on a Quiz night and a Turkish night once a week also, which are great fun. For the Turkish night, there is a live band while you are eating and then there are fun and games by the staff and anyone that wants to participate, who give in their names prior to the event to Michael, therefore you are not pulled up without warning. It is brilliant craic and finished off with dancing the night away and talking pure and utter rubbish ;-)

I cannot give it one black mark. Even the double glazed windows blocked out any noise. If you opened them, your ears were assaulted ok, but the minute you shut them, you could not hear a thing and we slept soundly every night. Our beds were only brand new, orthopaedic and spotless

Also, whilst Gumbet itself, is not exactly wheelchair friendly, due to the high level of the paths, this premises itself had ramps that I was sussing out for my mother and due to the fact that it’s all self contained, would be quite suitable for an invalid.

The premises also have a pool table, table tennis and an air conditioned room with satellite TV for all the footie and formula 1 fans that need their fix. We never once used the TV in our room. They also havinternet facilities should you wish to use them.

It’s location is perfect. The beach is practically only around the corner. But we didn’t go because we knew we’d never get the same service as we got here. Also, all the shops and nightlife are only a short walk up the street, (200 metres approx) which is ideal, because with everything staying open until the early hours of the morning, you do not want that right on your doorstep.

We totally enjoyed our holiday, which I have to say was one of the best in about 15 years. This place is run the way all hotels should be run, but in the pursuit for profit, most have forgotten, that is, that the customer comes first. You are treated so well, that you know, for them you are not a number, but someone whom they want to really enjoy their holiday. They take really good care of you and look out for you with helpful advice etc. We never needed our rep even once.

We will definitely be returning, and would thoroughly recommend it to friends, family and colleagues as we know they would have a ball there.

See: www.serpinahotel.come

On the whole, the Turkish people are very nice and charming. They work long hours for very little pay, so if you get good service, reward it with a tip, regardless of how little you can afford, as it will all be greatly appreciated.

Be prepared for haggling in the shops. It’s all part and parcel of it as it’s their way of life and the way they do business. Be careful of what you purchase though and try and buy early in your holidays and examine when you go back to your hotel room, so that you have time to bring back if anything wrong with it, e.g. Your leather handbag melting cos it’s plastic, or the t-shirt you picked being swapped for one that had dye running through it. Steer clear of the perfumes or cigarettes sold on the street. If you prefer set prices, you could try the Oasis shopping centre. It has a Marks and Spencers, Levis, Quiksilver etc. but the one we liked best was EFOR. My husband loved their clothes and was like a kid in a sweet shop. Fabulous clothes at reasonable prices that you’d normally only see in Barcelona.

Make sure you go on one of the many boat trips as they are a very enjoyable day out. If you can get booked on the one called the “Outback”, I’d recommend it, as they took better care of you and I felt safer than the one we did the first time. The food was also better and the drinks cheaper and they erected a canopy for non sun worshippers to sit beneath. They also own a bar and although I do not know what it’s like, this is the address: www.theoutbackbar.com

I would also recommend two other restaurants that we returned to.

The first one is Planet Yucca. It has a fantastic menu that would just make your mouth water. They also provide a free pick up and return service to/from your hotel in Gumbet or Bodrum. Just phone (local prefix) 3167050 and they will be with you in minutes. See: www.planetyucca.com

The second one is the Anna Livia, which also has a wonderful menu with huge portions. The food is so tasty and exactly like what you’d get at home when you get that longing. They also provide a free taxi in Gumbet and the phone no. for them is 3166294

• Pros:wonderful people and weather
• Cons:be prepared for hassle in shops & study menus before you enter restaurants
• In a nutshell:A place that still operates the adage of the customer comes first