Review of Alba Queen Hotel 5*

This is our second trip to Turkey and first time to the Alba Royal hotel (for guests over 16) in Çolaklı (pronounced cho-lack-leh). We stayed two weeks in a Superior Room (32 m2) side sea-view room. The extra space made a difference and the twin double doors are a must for light seekers. The hotel architecture was as it appeared in their hotel description. Plenty of space for a hotel with only 224 rooms; two large buffets restaurants both with outdoor terraces, two very large cocktail bar/lounges the Angora and Nakita Lounge both with outdoor terraces, the Angora Lounge stays open 24 hours, the Aqua pool bar that serves hot snacks until 5 pm, but the bar remains open until midnight, and a beach bar/restaurant that serves hot meals until 4 pm. There were many other spaces we never chanced to use; Disco bar, Jacuzzi, sauna, indoor pool, bowling alley, reading room, game room, and he Biscotti House Cafe. There are two main restaurants. The buffet selection was very good and varied, though identification and labeling could be improved. We were offered three a la carte restaurants (Cuban, Amadeus Fish, Efendy Turkish), however we were very satisfied with the buffet. Long pants for men were required for evening dinner, but unfortunately the rule wasn't enforced. A completely equipped breakfast room was open as early as 6:00 am for early check-outs as well as a light meal/snack available in the restaurant for those us who checked-in late. Hungry late-night revelers could have a ready made sub-sandwich at the Angora Lounge bar after midnight. We stayed during the last two weeks of June and the temperatures were warm to hot. The sea temperature was very warm (near Red Sea temps) ; no stopping every step to get used to thee water. The pool was very busy and some guest selfishly reserved double the loungers they needed. The pool is as big as it looks in the hotel photographs. We were off to the private beach instead. It was quieter there. Loungers were less of a problem, but selfish guests were there as well. There are restrooms and changing rooms as well as showers at the beach. Juice, water and coffee are dispensed, but no beer or soda. For those we had to walk up to the beach bar, about 100 yards away. There was also a Gözleme and Ayran stand/hut at the north end corner of the loungers, which is easy to miss and went mostly undetected. The beach itself is sandy and water depth stays mid-waist quite a ways out into the sea for about 40 to 50 meters. Beach towels are in the room and can be exchanged daily before noon at the Spa. Our overall room experience was comfortable in every way albeit the lighting in bathroom was for me very poor even with the help of the window between bath and room. The light above the sink in any circumstance was dim especially for weakening eyes. The rest of the lighting was fine. We especially liked the floor lamp. There was also a floor scale to monitor our excessiveness. The air conditioner worked perfectly. Mini bar stocked. The wide LCD TV was large and good quality with plenty of channels. Our twin mattresses were firm and large. Bedding and towels were good quality. Overlooked, however, were the pillows, which had no protective covers except for the outer case. They needed to be washed or replaced new. Some furniture counter top finishes had white water stains, rings or heat burns and my bedside table was chipped. It bothered me, but not my partner. N. B. Sightseers, tour operator tours start at 59€ per person for a long and not so grand day tour. They begin around 8 am and return by 6 pm. Aspendos is only 20 minutes away and Perga another 20 to 30 minutes from Aspendos along a wide and well marked highway. Signs are clearly visable. Consider renting a car. That's our plan the next time. A taxi to Side is about 18 Euro. Euros are used everywhere. Without hesitation, we would return. Staff were warm and welcoming and property impressed us. Joseph Arevalo Adam, Jens Adam Room 3328 (say Chow-Lack-Leh)