Отличный отель без пляжа Great hotel without a beach

Choosing the Joker was guided by reviews, many years of experience traveling to Turkey and eyewitness accounts. We rested 9 nights, Pegas Touristik + iFly, at the end of August.
In short: a very solid three-ruble note with a claim to 4 stars in some places. But first things first. And first about the sad.
BEACH
And he is not. There is an agreement with the commercial Dolphin Beach, which is located in the backyards of Side behind the ancient city. They take you there twice a day, back also twice, you skip lunch. Walk back from the beach for about 30 minutes along the promenade. The beach is a garbage dump densely crowded with sun loungers and the local population. Stayed there for 10 minutes and left. A transfer is a semi-collapsing minibus, where people ride standing up, and the driver (without a king in his head, however, like many here) does not follow the elementary rules of the road.

But next to the hotel (10 minutes down to the sea) there are commercial beaches, for $ 4 2 sun loungers near the water and an umbrella, as well as relative cleanliness and spaciousness. We went there and we don't regret it at all.
Well, the sea is fantastic, always with small waves. The beach is sandy, gently sloping. In this, Side is much superior to Kemer. Temperature during the day under 40 degrees, from 12 to 15 sit in the hotel.
Well, now about the pleasant.
ROOMS
We got room 236 on the third floor, overlooking the pool and the sea. I had to climb the stairs, which greatly contributes to the assimilation of the buffet and prevents the abuse of alcohol. The room has air conditioning (worked), TV (worked, 3 Russian channels), minibar (worked), living room, bathroom (shower needs repair, but closes and does not leak), a small kitchen. Everything is very decent, cleaning every day. The only problem is the lock, which is opened with a card and does not always work.
STAFF
Very friendly and at the reception, and in the dining room, and in the bar. It is clear that the guys love their job and do it well. The waiters are generally invisible, but promptly remove empty plates from the tables. Good cleaners.
Taking this opportunity, once again I want to address our tourists. Remember how you will treat the local population and the hotel staff in particular, this attitude will also apply to you. Smile, talk to them, please with tips (especially for cleaning and at the bar). Half of your payment for the tour is eaten by the operator's commission and the flight fee. These workers are paid very little. And, probably, it is worth finally learning a certain minimum of Turkish words, after all, we are visiting them.
NUTRITION
Above all praise. Meat, chicken, fish, fruits, soups, salads - everything is as it should be in a good three-ruble note. Luckily there are no sweets. Everything is fresh, flies in the dining room at least.
BAR AND DRINKS

We applaud again. Tasty, fresh undiluted beer from kegs in glass wine glasses. The wine is traditionally sour Turkish, but from bottles and with a rich taste. There are also crayfish, good Russian vodka, gin, juices at the bar, cocktails in the evenings. The all inclusive system operates from 10 am to 11 pm. All drinks are always available. Special thanks to the owner of the bar: the main bartender Yakub and his guys.
TERRITORY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Small, swimming pool, dining room under awnings and a separate area with a bar, tables, a bar and cozy sofas. There is a children's pool with a non-working slide. Sauna and hammam (very small) are only paid, there is no free visit. The hotel is divided into two buildings, the small lobby at the reception can only be accessed from the hotel. There is air conditioning, you can drink water, tea and coffee, sit on the free Internet. The Internet seems to have been adjusted, since even the free one works well (whatsapp calls are available). Of the paid services, there is also Wi-Fi in the rooms and by the pool, safes, snacks and juices, hookah ($ 6) and coffee.
SURROUNDINGS, ANIMATION AND TOURS
There is no animation as such, but the bar workers also work daily in the evening as DJs, put on modern music. You can dance, you can just enjoy the coolness of the Turkish evening.
Excursions were taken on the Internet this time, through VKontakte, I did not like it. Once again I am convinced that it is better to overpay and take from the operator: it is more reliable and better. Independently visited the ancient city with a museum and an amphitheater: I really liked it. Better to go in the morning, taxi $6.
The hotel is located on the second line on the mountain, in the very center of Side. Nearby are both ordinary private shops and Migros. We paid everywhere in lira, the exchange rate to the ruble is wonderful, you can always withdraw cash from Deniz Bank ATMs using a Sbercard, the commission is minimal. The surroundings are picturesque, green parks, squares, it's a pity there are no mountains.
RESULTS AND WISHES
In general, I can safely recommend the hotel, including families with children (not with babies). I also express my gratitude to i-Fly for the excellent service and flight on a dream aircraft: the wide-body Airbus 330-200.
What I change at the hotel (perhaps to make it a quad):
1. First and foremost - renting your own beach near the hotel.

2. Ceramic coffee cups
3. Strengthen the lighting of the dining room, dining in the dark is not very convenient
4. Free internet throughout.
5. Place tables in the lobby
6. Repair showers and adjust the locks on the doors.
In short, you can only find fault with the beach. Come here boldly, this is a very worthy three-ruble note. Thanks for attention.