Lonicera Resort & Spa Hotel

The hotel is a sprawling resort, particularly celebrated for its expansive aquapark and numerous swimming pools, making it a highly attractive destination for families with children. Its beautiful sandy beach, offering a smooth entry into the water, is another signature feature that guests consistently praise. The resort's commitment to cleanliness across its rooms and common areas is frequently highlighted, contributing to a comfortable stay. While the staff generally receives commendation for their friendliness and helpfulness, some guests note occasional language barriers. The sheer size of the property provides a wealth of facilities and activities, though this can also lead to crowded areas. This hotel is ideal for families seeking an active, all-inclusive vacation with abundant entertainment options, and also suitable for couples looking for a relaxing beach experience. To ensure a comfortable stay, guests are advised to arrive early at the pools or beach to secure sunbeds, as they are in high demand, and to consider requesting a room away from main entertainment or service areas if sensitive to noise.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts an impressive array of facilities and amenities designed to cater to a diverse guest base. Its aquapark is a major highlight, described as large and enjoyable for all ages, complemented by a multitude of pools, including an Olympic pool, ensuring ample swimming options. The mini club and kids' club receive high praise for their engaging staff and varied activities, keeping younger guests entertained. Daily entertainment and evening shows, including live music and foam parties, contribute to a lively atmosphere. While Wi-Fi is available, its reliability can be inconsistent outside the main building. Guests appreciate the convenience of on-site or nearby shops and a well-equipped spa. However, some activities like bumper cars or the adventure park incur extra charges. A recurring issue is the intense competition for sunbeds, with many being reserved early in the morning. Additionally, the water park operates on limited hours, and elevators can become significantly crowded during peak times, leading to long waits.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests frequently commend the hotel for its cleanliness, noting that rooms and common areas are consistently spotless and well-maintained, with daily cleaning often provided. The rooms are generally described as spacious and comfortable, with some sections featuring modern and new equipment. Many guests found the beds comfortable, contributing to a restful night's sleep. However, feedback on room comfort is not entirely uniform. Some reviews indicate that certain bathrooms are in need of renovation, appearing old or scratched. A significant concern for many guests is the pervasive noise, originating from various sources such as the disco, laundry facilities, neighboring rooms, or the main stage and restaurant areas, which can disrupt sleep. Furthermore, several guests reported issues with amenities not being consistently replenished, including shower gel, shampoo, toilet paper, and coffee packs. The minibar is noted to contain only water, and some guests found the towels to be insufficient or not changed regularly.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers a wide variety of dining options, with many guests appreciating the extensive selection available at meal times, including gözleme and various fast food choices like burgers and chicken wraps. The food quality receives mixed reviews; while many find it tasty and fresh, others describe it as repetitive, bland, or of poor quality, with some reporting food poisoning or stomach issues. The dessert selection, in particular, garners criticism for being artificial or having an eggy smell. Long queues and crowded dining rooms are a common complaint, especially during peak hours. While fresh fruits are generally available, some guests note a lack of seafood or traditional Turkish sweets. The alcohol quality is frequently cited as a significant drawback, with many guests finding local brands to be imitation or undrinkable, and cocktails often poorly made. The minibar in rooms is stocked only with water, and drinks are often served in used plastic cups, detracting from the overall dining experience.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel benefits from a highly advantageous location, offering direct and private beach access that is consistently praised for its cleanliness, soft sand, and shallow, warm waters, making it ideal for families. Its extensive grounds are described as spacious, green, and beautiful, providing ample room for guests despite the hotel's large capacity. The resort is conveniently situated near various shops and local attractions, including a bustling bazaar, allowing for easy exploration. However, the beach area can become quite crowded, with sunbeds placed very close together, making it challenging to find available space, especially later in the day. Accessibility for guests with mobility challenges is noted as poor, with inadequate wheelchair assistance and problematic ramps. Furthermore, the hotel's considerable distance from the airport results in long transfer times, which some guests found tiring after travel. Noise from outside the hotel, particularly at night, can also be an issue for some rooms.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff generally receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentive service, with many guests highlighting their caring and welcoming demeanor. The animation team is consistently lauded for their exceptional energy, cheerfulness, and engaging activities, particularly their excellent interaction with children in the kids' club. Housekeeping and cleaning staff are also commended for their diligence and efficiency in maintaining the hotel's cleanliness. However, a significant and frequently mentioned challenge is the language barrier, as many staff members primarily speak Russian, leading to communication difficulties for English-speaking guests. While some reception staff are accommodating, others are described as unfriendly or unhelpful, especially regarding requests for late check-out, which is often denied or incurs high charges. Instances of perceived unprofessionalism, such as staff not preventing altercations or reckless driving of golf carts, are also noted. Overall, while the staff's efforts are appreciated, the language barrier and inconsistent service aspects can impact the guest experience.

Additional Information
The hotel operates as a large complex, often sharing facilities across its different sections, which contributes to its vast array of offerings but also to significant crowding. Despite being advertised as "Ultra All-Inclusive," many guests found this claim misleading, as the minibar in rooms contains only water, and imported drinks are not included, with local alcohol often being of low quality. A persistent issue is the lack of enforcement regarding sunbed reservation policies, leading to frustration as many sunbeds are claimed early with towels but remain unused for extended periods. Guests frequently report difficulties with late check-out requests, often facing high fees or outright denial. The hotel's entertainment and overall atmosphere are heavily Russian-oriented, with music and shows predominantly in Russian, which some non-Russian speaking guests found alienating. Concerns about hygiene have been raised, with some guests experiencing bacterial infections or stomach issues, particularly from the kids' playground. Additionally, the gym has limited operating hours, and elevators are frequently overcrowded, leading to long waits.