Leaving a wet Midlands behind we began our second trip to Turkey. Having enjoyed a relaxing, pampered holiday in October 2014 we rebooked for 2015 as soon as we arrived home ..... and now the return holiday had begun.
The flights from Birmingham were perfect, leaving reasonably early in the morning, allowing time for breakfast after check in. Although the flight is 4 hours and the transfer nearly two the journey passed quite quickly, especially the coach drive to Icmeler with amazing views of the Turkish countryside and the steep mountain passes.
Sentido Sea Star, with it's huge glass frontage looked as grand as ever. Pampering began as soon as we stepped off the coach with our luggage being taken in and a welcome greeting at reception. Having stayed before we had asked for a room in a specific area of the hotel, to our amazement we had been given the top floor full sea view room, a real treat.
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| View from our balcony |
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| Our beautiful double balcony room |
Sentido Sea Star is a real jewel of a hotel, settled inconspicuously on the edge of Icmeler it is not one of the large big sprawling hotels but a small, personal 90 bedroomed adult only haven to relax in. The whole hotel is built with comfort, ease and relaxation in mind, no steps between rooms, corridors or the outside; marble floors, surfaces and columns shine; sunloungers by the pool and on the beach always available; fresh food in constant supply with three main meals a day plus snacks; two well stocked 24 hour bars; and an amazing team of staff, always smiling, always wanting to help, giving a real family atmosphere with staff and guests. Going down to dinner the first night the hotel manager greeted us with huge hugs, having not been in reception when we arrived it was a lovely feeling to be recognised and greeted with such joy.
Having visited Icmeler previously but due to my health not enjoying all it offered, thiis year we already had activity plans, one of which included swimming in the beautiful pool. It was 28+ degrees most days with beautiful blue skies and although the pool was chilly and took your breathe away initially, it was lovely to swim in the afternoon sun. I have not been swimming for about 10 years; I swam 10 lengths most days enjoying the quietness of an adult only hotel.
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| Beautiful relaxing pool in the afternoon sun |
We wandered more too, strolling into Icmeler most evenings. A beautiful walk as the sea front promenade is right outside our hotel. It does actually runs from Marmaris to Icmeler; intricate block paving, flat all the way but a little far for me at 8 km but strolling into and along Icmeler centre is a perfect distance. Two canal walkways lead to the town square, wirh many many shops selling a variety of goods. Turkish restaurant and shop owners are keen for you to spend money with them but are quite respectful when declined. I managed to safely bring home a couple of mosaic lights to increase last year's collection. We managed to find the small market in Wednesday morning this year, so much fruit and veg looking bigger and better than in our supermarkets.
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| Icmeler promenade |
We took two ferry boat tripsthis year; one to Marmaris which is a lovely 30 minute trip across the bay giving great views of our hotel and the many huge hotels along the bay into Marmaris; the other trip was in the other direction, actually out to sea through the gap visible from our balcony to Turunc. A smaller version of Icmeler in a beautiful bay and great bars along the waterfront. The cliffs along the way had some amazing geographical features, and a half finished remote hotel built into the cliffs. A party pirate ship sailed by looking very impressive on the Agean Sea and full of happy holiday makers looking forward to a day cruise including a dip in the sea.
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| Turunc |
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| Our little ferry boat |
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| Pirates Ahoy |
Our room in the hotel was serviced so well every day - the complimentary mini bar was restocked everyday. As well as cleaning our room maid always left a piece of art work on our bed.
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| Towel art dog |
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| A bed of hearts |
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| Beautiful swans |
Friday night was Turkish night and in place of the usual green or orange tablecloths each table had beautiful Turkish cloths. The food was always good but Turkish night was my favourite with plenty of Meze including vine leaves and varieties of cous cous, traditional kebabs and an array of sticky, sweet baklava.
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| Nick on Turkish night |
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| Turkish night |
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| Turkish meze |
The weather was perfect to sit late at night on the ratan sofas enjoying a glass of wine or something stronger. The ratan sofa made a comfy seat anytime of day and I was usually accompanied by a ginger cat. All the cats are wild but adopt a hotel or house, they appear at meal times but just sit and wait for tip bits. They never jump on the tables or enter the actual hotel but they do jump on the sofas for some fuss. The ginger one appeared almost as soon as I sat down, even our last morning as we waited for our coach. One afternoon he/she joined me on my sunlonger although it soon felt like I was the guest.
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| Ginger friend |
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| It's my sunlounger |
We had an amazing holiday returning home feeling relaxed, tanned and pampered - our return trip for 2016 is already booked as it is the perfect chill down as the year draws to an end.
As you can see we smiled all holiday and enjoyed a view to melt your heart - thank you Sentido Sea Star
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| Loving our ferry ride |
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| Enjoying the view of Icmeler |
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| Stunning view |
