Dream Of Side in Side

This is the worst experience in my 6th trip to Turkiye. I always choosing Turkiye as my holiday destiny, Turkish people are very kind, helpful and family-stand. But Dream of Side hotel is different. There is one woman-barman maid, probably Russian, who is hateful to other nations. When asked for drink, she's pouring 1mm of vodka in glass. When asked for vodka with cola and ice in all-inclusive holidays, she's saying cola and ice is finish. When came back with reception lady cola is magically available. And pouring 1mm of vodka because "this is standard." I will complain for recompensate, curse this hotel and will never visit Side again.

I’ve stayed in plenty of hotels all over the world—3-star hotels included—and Dream of Side is by far the worst of them all. We’ve travelled on similar budgets to places like France, Germany, Mexico, Antalya, Marmaris, Italy, Egypt, Maldives, Croatia, Crete, Zante, and Bali, and not once have we had an experience as poor as this. For the price we paid—around £3.5k for 4 adults and 1 toddler—we expected at least the basics, but sadly this hotel doesn’t even meet the lowest of standards.

I initially dismissed the bad reviews thinking people were exaggerating, but they weren’t. If anything, they were being kind. The glowing reviews are fake/paid for because they in no way reflect the reality of this place. The photos online are clearly outdated and do not show the hotel as it is now. We ended up spending a fortune eating out just to avoid the awful food provided. If you're considering this hotel—don’t. Spend a little more for a better neighbouring hotel, or better yet, go somewhere else entirely.

Positives:
The cleaners are absolutely lovely and deserve credit—they do a great job.

Fantastic location with good access to nearby shops and restaurants.

Clean pool with a toddler-friendly slide and shaded baby pool.

A nice park for kids to enjoy once it cools down in the evenings.

Plenty of sunbeds and a nice beach-shame about the transfer.

Rooms are kept clean.

Surrounding restaurants are excellent (and essential to survive the stay).

Negatives:
NO ICE CREAM at an all-inclusive in 40°C heat—unbelievable. Isn’t Turkey famous for its ice cream?

The beach transfer is a joke. I was stranded with a toddler in the blazing sun at 6pm and had to queue for an hour to get a 5-seater car back to the hotel, while pushy tourists cut in front of us. No staff, no organisation, no apology. Spent time on the beach feeling anxious about getting home. The bus is ancient, stinks and was always full with people standing.

The food is truly awful: Same five trays daily—chips, plain pasta, plain rice, and two random stews with questionable meat. No variety, no taste. Snacks are limited to a one-hour window and consist of soggy wafers and dry biscuits. Breakfast is no better—no croissants, poor selection, and no signage or effort.

Bar service is slow and unfriendly. Often only one bar is open with no staff present. Asking for a cocktail or omelette feels like you’re bothering them. They also get drink orders wrong.

Toilets by the pool are filthy and often out of soap or toilet paper. Dispensers don’t even work.

If your room has more than 2 people, someone will be stuck on a rock-hard sofa—not even a sofa bed. It’s like sleeping on concrete.

No lift for top floors—completely inaccessible and outdated.

Most staff are generally unfriendly, rarely smile, and make you feel like a burden. No greetings, no warmth, no service culture.

The lifeguard blows a whistle every time someone goes down the slide, which is constant and drives everyone mad. Why not just supervise from the top instead of creating a headache?

The entire hotel feels run-down and neglected, which is a shame because it could be so much better given its location.

Recommended Places (where we salvaged our trip):
Side Town – charming with historical sites.

Surf Bar – fantastic live music every night.

Sky Sarfan – a proper English breakfast with great service.

Ancient Restaurant – excellent pizzas and warm, attentive staff.

Final Thoughts:
Avoid at all costs. The name says "Dream of Side", but the reality is a complete nightmare. Spend a little more and protect your holiday.

I visited the spa bought a package for 3 treatments- two carried however- the staff run by 2 people man and a woman who does not seem mentally stable. Staff don’t wear a uniform and facilities are basic. Third third treatment was not done. If you are a woman don’t visit this place the spa on your own- take someone with you who will wait outside whilst you have your treatment done. Don’t be conned by the cheaper price the claim to offer compared to nearby hotel. They don’t carry out all the work after the payment so it’s a big CON!