Are small 4-star hotels in Turkey worth it compared to 5-star resorts?

One of the 4-star hotels discussed is not really intimate: it has 600+ rooms and can be packed in high season. Reviews praise the food and scenery, but the sheer number of guests makes it feel more like a large mass-market resort than a quiet small hotel.

There is also a more recent update on the guest mix: at one hotel previously seen as mostly German, by July there were noticeably more Russian tourists and occupancy was near full. In other words, the “European” atmosphere can shift from season to season.

A small 4-star hotel had a cozy, intimate feel — guests recognized each other, no loud parties, just live music and low-key discos. Mixed age groups, many Russian guests, very few children.

Food quality was excellent: plenty of fish (sea bream, sea bass, trout), meat, chicken, and a wide variety of fruit including lots of strawberries. Seafood is only available at the à la carte restaurant — one visit included free.

Rooms are compact but modern and comfortable. Wi-Fi works reliably across the entire property. Staff understand Russian.

Guests return to this hotel and don't regret it — the consensus is that many 5-star resorts could learn from this 4-star property.

At another 4-star hotel (visited late May to early June), the pool was spotlessly clean, food was excellent, and there were seven bars with decent alcohol. Ice cream was served in the main restaurant, outdoors, and on the beach. The baklava was a highlight.

The majority of guests at that hotel were German and other Europeans. Entertainment was conducted in German, making it hard for non-German speakers to follow. Attitude toward Russian guests was excellent — no bias or discrimination.

From the hotel, a guided day trip to Istanbul can be booked through the hotel's tour desk — the price was around 20,000 RUB per person. Alternatively, you can take a public bus independently to the ruins of ancient Side.