Is Jacaranda hotel in Alanya worth staying at — honest reviews

A recent review says the water park may not have enough inflatable tubes: reportedly only four for four hotels. This can mean queues of around 20 minutes in the heat. The reviewer also felt seams on the slides and recommends sliding seated to avoid hurting your back.

A guest on their second day of stay said the spa was the only genuinely good thing about the hotel; comparing it to a 4-star hotel Asrin in Alanya, they felt this 5-star property was actually worse overall.

According to one guest, it can get quite hot walking around the grounds or queueing in the sun for drinks/ice cream, but swimming and relaxing by the sea remains comfortable.

A recent guest noted that beach canopies/shade structures at nearby beaches are noticeably better than at this hotel — this was the only downside mentioned amid an otherwise positive impression of rooms and food.

Reviews occasionally mention issues with reception staff and room-cleaning quality. Some guests consider these drawbacks non-critical for a short one-week stay.

According to a discussion update, the pool is no longer heated in autumn, whereas heating had previously been offered.

The hotel may not be the best fit for holidays with young children: the kids’ club operates only a few hours a day and does not provide a full-day activity programme. The sea gets deep almost immediately and is often wavy, making entry difficult for children and less confident swimmers.

Recent reviews describe the sea entry as small stones with slab-like sections in places: water shoes make it much more comfortable, while going barefoot can lead to scratches. One guest noted that a more convenient entry spot can be found after getting familiar with the beach.

The water park has only three small slides, plus a mermaid show twice a day. It is more of an extra amenity than a large water park for guests seeking major slides.

According to a recent review, the beach bar serves only water and beer. A wider drink selection is available by the pool, at the water park and in the lobby; alcohol is mostly locally produced.

Standard checkout is reported to be 11:00 a.m. One guest said wristbands were not collected after leaving the room, allowing continued use of hotel facilities until the transfer.

Food reviews are generally positive, citing daily meat or fish dishes and a broad choice of fruit, vegetables, sides and desserts. However, one recent guest reported that the selection, especially at breakfast, became noticeably more limited after a large arrival of local guests.

Some rooms in the main building have an unusual bathroom layout: the bathroom area is not closed by a proper door and only has a light curtain/partition. Couples or families may find this inconvenient.

According to recent reports, the room minibar includes a basic set of drinks: sparkling and still water, cola, Fanta, and juice.

The hotel reportedly becomes quiet after 11 p.m.: shows end around that time, and the buildings are generally calm despite the nearby road and construction.

Hotel policy: sun loungers cannot be reserved in advance — any items left on them are removed. Tour guides warn guests about this.

As of June 2026, sun loungers are in short supply: after 9 a.m. it is nearly impossible to find a free one, apparently because guests claim them with towels from early morning. Previous reviews consistently noted no lounger shortage — this season the situation has changed.

No iron is provided in the room. Ironing is available only as a paid service through housekeeping.

Bring thin water shoes from home — those sold near the hotel are thick and uncomfortable for sea entry.

The hotel accommodates around 1,500 guests and is fully booked in high season. The single restaurant functions like a large canteen with constant noise. Some sea-view rooms in the main building are located directly above the restaurant, where noise is present all day — guests have requested room changes for this reason.

Watermelon is served only in the evening and portioned out — four slices per person; additional servings require a separate request.

The on-site shop is very expensive: sunscreen costs €25, an inflatable mattress €30. Better to bring essentials from home. Bus No. 2 runs to the city (70 lira per person, about 30 minutes to the central bus station; payment accepted in dollars or euros).

Entertainment repeats on a weekly cycle: evening shows and mini-disco run the same programme, so stays longer than 7 nights mean seeing everything twice. Animators do a poor job of announcing activities — guests often find out about events only after they have already happened.

Cars — both staff vehicles and guest cars — drive freely and sometimes at speed through the villas and club room area. Children should not be left to walk there unsupervised.