Icmeler - the place to relax

Hubby and I are not really hotel/package holiday people. In fact our last such holiday was in 1989 - our honeymoon!!

However we decided to try an all inclusive week as the final celebration in our 25th anniversary year - our destination .... Seastar Hotel in Icmeler, Turkey.

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My lovely hotel slippers

Seastar is a new hotel this year and the reviews on Trip Advisor were amazing ... until a month before we went when its rating began to slide. We were quite concerned and began our journey with a few worries.

Heaven knows why because Seastar is amazing - we now know some unscrupulous people were posting poor reviews, some having never even visited; Trip Advisor needs a few safeguards adding to protect businesses.

Our journey began at Birmingham airport very early for a 8am flight. Thomas Cook airlines were very efficient and although I am no love of flying both journeys were 'ok'. The transfer from Dalaman Airport took a little longer than we expected as our mini-coach did not like going up steep hills and our driver seemed to have forgotten where the hotel was !!

The hotel is stunning, so modern, so clean, such friendly staff. Our room was huge, a kingsize bed with two armchairs and table, balcony with two chairs and a fabulous bathroom with walkin rainhead shower.

Seastar Hotel from the sea

View from our balcony
(looking along the hotel)

Looking back at the hotel
from the poolside

Our favourite chairs between the
hotel and the sea

The food was amazing - so much to choose from. Every meal had three cold counters full of delicious fresh food and a hot side with 7 or 8 heated tureens. We ate three, three course meals a day !! but not so we were over full, just bits of everything as it was so nice. There was also a snack bar with pizzas, burgers and chips open all afternoon.

Drinks were available all day, hot or cold, alcoholic or soft. The waiting staff were brilliant, water and wine with lunch and dinner and continuous drink service by the pool or on the beach. Our room had a mini bar that was permanently socked as well as tea/coffee facilities. We were truly pampered - it was so relaxing not worrying about whether we had enough cash to buy a drink, I think that was a big plus for us, not about actual cost but the no need for money freedom.



Wine and olives

Cold Buffet

Sweet Buffet

Hot Tureens

We spent most of our time sitting on the rattan sofas pool side but facing the promenade and sea. We did lie on the sun loungers a few times but sun bathing is not really our 'thing'. We were expecting weather of 23-26 degrees but actually had 28-33 degrees. A little hot for us but sitting on the sofas reading and watching the world go by was extremely relaxing.

We did take the ferry boat into Marmaris one day - a fantastic 20 minute trip for just £3.30. Marmaris has a huge marina, the German cruise ship Aida was in port when we went. It also has a castle and a covered bazaar with over 300 shops in. Although the shopkeepers encourage you to look and buy there was no pressure, we just said 'no thank you' and walked by.

Marmaris Harbour

Turkish alley

Tall ships with Icmeler in the background

View from Marmaris Castle

Marmaris Castle



Although we said hotel/package holidays were not for us we had an amazing time - we are definitely not beach/pool sunbathers but loved the all inclusive pampering, weather and Turkish people. The hotel staff were amazing - they even sent us a bottle of wine and fruit bowl to our room as an anniversary treat. I think these photos show how much we enjoyed ourselves:

Marmaris Castle

On the ferry boat

Seastar Hotel

In the Seastar lounge

Huge thank you to Melis and all the SeaStar staff - we'll see you all next year as yes, we've booked again!!!!