Common hotel problems in Side Turkey: bugs, AC issues, check-in delays

Room-location requests can be submitted directly at reception, where staff reportedly keep a guest-request list. In one case, guests were initially placed on the first floor of building C, then moved to their requested location two days later, with their friends’ preferences also accommodated.

Room 1205 was described as very small, poorly maintained, and affected by mold, with non-working AC at check-in. After escalation to guest relations, the AC was fixed around midnight in about five minutes; the next day, the guests were moved to the regular standard room they had booked, rather than an extra-bed or annex option.

During an overbooking situation, the hotel offered a choice: split into two economy rooms for one night, or stay together in a family room with older/worn renovation, moving to the booked 'standard' room the next day. As compensation, guests were given free in-room safes for the whole stay, a bottle of wine, and a fruit plate. The safe keys later reportedly went missing, and staff threatened a $50 fine per key ($100 total for two keys) — but the keys mysteriously turned up right after guests asked to review the security camera footage.

On late check-in (around 11pm), reception said only floor -1 rooms (below street level, facing a wall) were available, even though rooms on the same floor on the other side of the hotel have pool and mountain views. Complaining right away only got guests told to wait a day or two for a room switch — the move did eventually happen, but with delay.

In another overbooking case, guests were put up for one night not in their booked hotel but in a neighboring property across the road — the rooms seemed worn/dated (possibly a separate annex). The next day, after lunch, they were transferred to the originally booked hotel.

Another check-in issue: the booking was for a room with a bunk bed, but guests were initially assigned a standard 3-person room instead. Staff offered to add an extra bed even though there was no space left in the room. After the guests refused and mentioned they'd contact their travel agent, staff returned about 5 minutes later and placed them in the originally booked room type.

One July report describes a roughly three-hour check-in delay: the guests arrived around 1:00 pm and did not receive their room until 4:00 pm.

A confirmed baby cot may not be prepared at arrival: in one case it was delivered only at 10:30 pm after eight calls to reception. Housekeeping also reportedly removed an older child’s extra bed without permission, assuming it was unnecessary.

There is a specific warning about room 5607 in the off-site building: guests spent two nights there and advise refusing that accommodation option.

One way to speed up check-in: give a small tip to the greeting staff member right when handing over your passport. Also, the hotel has a manager (mentioned by name Sofia) who quickly resolves issues — e.g., missing beach towels were delivered within 5 minutes after contacting her directly.

Before official check-in, guests cannot connect to the permanent Wi-Fi or log into the app needed for the QR-code ordering system (for food/drinks), which can be inconvenient if you arrive early and wait long for a room. However, wristbands and temporary Wi-Fi are usually issued right away, and the main restaurant offers food without needing QR codes.

Complaints about bedding: no blankets in the room, rough waffle-weave sheets, and upon request only scratchy fleece throws were provided. Sunbeds are also in short supply and packed tightly together; renting a private pavilion costs around 60 euros.

During periods of overbooking, guests may be temporarily placed in a separate building outside the main hotel grounds — a cramped room, missing towels and a pillow (had to wait over an hour), no soap or toiletries, and weak water pressure in the sink. Also reported: sunbeds must be claimed as early as 5am or none will be left, and the dining hall runs out of table seating.

Rooms may have very few electrical outlets — for example, only 2 outlets in the room and 1 in the bathroom for a family of three. If you have multiple devices, it's worth bringing a power strip.

A new warning appeared: the hotel reportedly had a fire the day before, and the building was significantly affected. This means guests may end up staying during repair works, so changing hotels in advance may be worth considering.

There are also newer reports on check-in: when rooms are available, guests are often accommodated before the official time — examples mentioned check-in around 8:00, 10:00, and immediately after wristbands were issued. Room-location requests may also be honored if sent in advance through a travel agent; moving to the main building can require an extra fee.

In May, large cockroach-like insects (matchbox-sized) were spotted in a hotel restaurant bathroom. Reception initially dismissed it as 'nature' but sent staff to treat the area. No such insects were found in the rooms themselves.

At check-in, a promised third bed turned out to be a folding cot. Only after firmly insisting — despite initial rudeness from the manager — was a proper bed brought in. The hotel also tried to temporarily move guests to a different property for a night.

Sural Garden hotel in Side stands out positively: clean rooms, friendly staff, and good food. Recommended as a reliable alternative when choosing accommodation in Side.

A broken AC unit is a serious issue in summer: in one hotel, it reportedly went unrepaired for an entire week. Sleeping without AC in Side during summer is nearly impossible, especially with children.