Selectum Family Resort Side

The property features a complimentary minibar, plentiful pools, spacious rooms, and an extensive luna park. Guests appreciate the exceptional service and luxurious, beautifully decorated rooms with plush pillows.

We arrived late, and our first impression of the hotel was very positive – clean, bright, and spacious. Check-in, however, was a little difficult. The staff spoke limited English, didn’t ask if we were hungry after our long journey, and couldn’t direct us to food. After travelling, all we really wanted was something to eat, so the lack of guidance made arrival less welcoming. A porter kindly helped us with our luggage and showed us to our room. The room itself was warm on arrival but cooled down nicely after an hour with the air conditioning. We dropped our things and went in search of the 24-hour restaurant. The staff weren’t very clear when we asked for directions, and when we eventually found it, I could not work out how the service worked. The hotel is so large that it can feel overwhelming at first. That said, once we got past the first night, everything improved. The hotel had a lively, classy atmosphere, with the majority of guests being Russian, alongside British, German, and a mix of others. Contrary to some reviews, the hotel doesn’t “ 'cater only to Russians', The food was varied – a mix of European and Turkish dishes, with themed nights such as Mexican and Turkish – and we noticed no difference in service between nationalities. A smile goes a long way with staff. I’d describe the hotel in three main areas: 1. The Beach – average, nothing special. 2. The Main Building – main pool, indoor pool, and entertainment. 3. The Lakeside Area – beautiful pool lakes, aqua park, funfair, kids’ club, and lakeside restaurant. While the beach is just okay, the rest of the facilities are fantastic. The food was consistently good and varied, the entertainment excellent, and hygiene standards very high – something I value most in hotels. Service isn’t perfect. At times you’re not offered drinks, staff don’t always guide you to tables during busy periods, and English can be limited but staff work hard. My wife said there was too many poeple for the size of the dining room. Many staff stood out for their friendliness: Mahir in the dining area, Hande at the lobby bar, and the guest services team. Bar staff also worked hard to accommodate, especially with tips as encouragement. Sunbed reservations with towels were tolerated, but pool staff fairly removed them if left unattended for too long, which kept things fair. Overall, I honestly don’t understand the one-star reviews – they must have stayed somewhere else! While service could improve, the facilities, food, cleanliness, and atmosphere make this a fantastic hotel and excellent value for money. I’d happily rate it 5 stars. For airport tranfers id recommend Ella car transfers. Id also recommend taking a trip to old town one evening, Side. The hotel can organise taxi and yellow taxi from the Side rank can take you back.