- Turkey Holidays
- Side
- Castival Hotel
Castival Hotel is located about 50-minute car ride away from Antalya airport and just about 10 minutes from Side and Manavgat. The modern rooms have been nicely decorated and equipped with all the needed amenities to make travellers feel comfortable and pleased during their stay. The hotel welcomes guests to their beautiful property that has a wide variety of activities and spaces where to have a fun and rest. Visitors can eat with friends or family at the on-site restaurant that offers inside or outside dining in a luxury atmosphere. If they prefer, they can visit the bar, relax, and have delicious drinks. Business travellers can take advantage of the multifunctional conference hall that accommodates up to 600 people. The pool area will be everyone's favourite place since they can rest, sunbathe, swim or have fun in the water slides. If guests desire, they can visit the spa where they will be spoilt and pampered.
The food was decent and there was plenty to do, so credit where it’s due. Unfortunately, the overall experience was overshadowed by a series of problems that made our stay extremely stressful, especially with a 3‑month‑old baby. We arrived at 23:30 and were told our room wasn’t ready, despite check‑in being from 14:00. We didn’t get into the room until 01:00. There was no cot, the bedding was wrong multiple times, and it took six attempts the next morning to get something usable. Housekeeping was also a major issue: our sheets weren’t changed for five days, even after our baby was sick on them. Reception didn’t act, and we had to escalate to guest relations just to get basic hygiene. Smoking was a constant problem. People smoked everywhere, including areas marked “no smoking,” and the smoke from the BBQ one evening made the main restaurant unusable. With a young baby who later developed a chest infection, this was extremely concerning. The hotel also felt overcrowded, we struggled to get seats by the pool and even tables at the buffet. Staff communication was inconsistent too; for example, the beach crepe station closed early after we queued for 45 minutes and refused to serve us. Dinner was from 18.30 and not 19.00pm The worst part was the medical situation. The hotel doctor sent us to a clinic claiming insurance would be accepted. It wasn’t. We were quoted £235 just for a consultation and nearly £500 total. Even when our insurer agreed to pay that same day, the clinic refused. Staff became aggressive, and a receptionist even threw a chair. He knew our room number, which left us feeling unsafe. We later found a proper hospital nearby that accepts insurance, the hotel should be directing guests there instead. We were given premium beds and late checkout as compensation, but considering everything that happened, it didn’t feel adequate. To top it off, we were given a bottle that staff insisted three times was non‑alcoholic, but it wasn’t. The toilet was frequently left uncleaned. Overall, the hotel has potential, but the lack of organisation, hygiene, smoke control, and proper medical support made this a very disappointing and stressful stay.
We spent a week here mid September and really enjoyed our break. Room was cleaned every day, our view was not ideal but we had not paid for sea/pool so no complaints the shower was good and the bed was too. The food was good. The buffet breakfast and dinner carried lots of choice, we took the Italian ala carte one evening which was lovely there was a cafe which we only used once.. poolside the bar staff were really good as were the drinks and the pizza was especially nice. We were able to get good loungers each day on way to breakfast but there were less as the day went on. A five min walk / 2 min golf cart was the beach, nice sand, plenty of loungers great bar staff and hot food too. Massive lobby bar, great bar service, soft background music and you could sit on the terrace overlooking the pool and night time entertainment. The entertainment was fine, Outside there are hundreds of shops for clothes / bags etc We enjoyed it and would go back.
We are very happy because the hotel got a good evening programs, during the day - there are good water games.
Terrible damp smelly unrenivated room given on top floor. They said madame we can make perfume to smell better!! .I had to wait 4 hours for a room finally got one at 4am. Totally squashed pool areas..music blasting throughout day and night..never a break..food not nice all cold or lukewarm..this is an old hotel that needs massive upgrading...Terrible waste of money £1200 paid for 1 person. No way 5*
Staying at Castival for a week fly and flop holiday. I was a bit worried reading the reviews prior to arriving but have been pleasantly surprised thus far, only 2 days in though😬. The public areas of the hotel are pleasant, more 4 star than TUI’s 5, and the food has been generally quite good. The rooms are more 3 star though and could do with updating generally. We’re in a room with a sea view and balcony but it’s still a bit tatty round the edges. The hotel employees are generally quite pleasant with a special mention to Anzhelika who helped out with the customer services when the lady in there was a bit overwhelmed and slightly miserable when people were trying to book the à la carte restaurants. The bar staff are mainly quite friendly too.
