Fantasia Deluxe Hotel Kusadasi

Our first impressions were bad. We arrived 11:30 p.m. and our room was very small. The late-night buffet was small and unappealing. The next day it was raining, and there was nothing to do. The wi-fi didn't work, so we had to pay to use a computer briefly to check our email. When the rain stopped, things started looking up. First, we moved into a family room, which had plenty of space for the four of us. This is a resort that is centered around the pool and the outdoors. When it rains, things that normally happen outdoors just get cancelled (even basic things like snacks!). On a sunny day, it is lovely to swim in or sit around the pools. My kids liked playing in the grassy area beside the pool and my one-year-old nephew took many naps there under a tree. The "beach" is a sandy area near the concrete-edged sea. I'd say smaller children can't safely swim in the sea here because of the sea wall. There are no lifeguards at the pools. There is a playground with small slides, see-saw, and bouncing animals. There is an indoor pool, decent sized, but we never swam in it. The fitness center has several treadmills, several bikes, and quite a few weights. The hotel is very clean, and there are lots of choices for food. The best food is cooked fresh out on the patio during breakfast and supper, but the steam table food isn't bad. Unfortunately both my son and I got sick briefly, not sure if from the food or something else. The other six people in our group were fine. The staff were attentive and friendly, even when clearing up the enormous messes made by my one-year-old nephew during meals and snacks. The evening entertainment ranged from funny (Mr. Fantasia contest for men) to high-quality (Circus night) to dreadful (Sketch night). My kids loved the all-inclusive option, because they could go on their own to get ice cream cones or drinks. They also liked the buffet. There was always something they would eat, and they are kind of picky. We met hotel guests from Turkey, Iran, Belgium, Georgia, and Northern Ireland, and I'm sure there were Brits, Spaniards, and Germans too. I think we were the only Americans. Most waiters and bartenders didn't speak more than a few words in English, but the front desk staff were fluent, and everyone made an effort to be helpful. It ended up being a nice, relaxing vacation. We took one trip to Ephesus (amazing!) and one trip into town to see Pigeon Island and eat some Indian food. My main complaints would be the hard mattresses, the weak room air conditioning, and the lack of wifi internet.