We nearly let the reviews put us off Holiday Village Türkiye. We had booked through TUI and were travelling with our one-year-old, so comments about food, rooms and facilities carried more weight than they might have done before we became parents.
Our own experience was much more positive. We had a big, lovely family room, a massive variety of food and entertainment that was next level. We also celebrated two family birthdays on 25 September, with room decorations and a surprise arranged by my husband.
But the detail we would tell another parent about first is the baby equipment. We paid £80 and were provided with a bottle steriliser, buggy, baby bath, bottle warmer, hand blender, highchair and travel cot. For a holiday with a one-year-old, that was a total lifesaver.
The reviews nearly put us off booking Holiday Village Türkiye
Reading the reviews before our holiday left us unsure what to expect. Some guests loved the food and entertainment, while others had complaints that almost put us off going.
We were glad we went. The things that mattered most to us, including food for our one-year-old, a spacious family room and useful baby equipment, worked well during our stay. The entertainment was another highlight.
Our advice is to read reviews without letting a handful of negative comments decide for you. Look at how recent they are and whether the issues mentioned would affect your family. Someone looking for quiet evenings may feel differently about the resort from a family who wants plenty of activities.
Alongside our own experience, we have included a few things we heard from other guests during our stay, particularly about extra charges. They are useful details to check before travelling so you know what to expect.
If you are still planning the practical side of your trip, our Turkey travel guide covers currency, getting around and useful Turkish phrases to know before you go.
The £80 Baby Equipment from TUI Was a Lifesaver
Travelling with a one-year-old involves plenty of planning before you even think about the holiday itself. Bottles, sleeping arrangements, feeding equipment and getting around all need consideration.
For the £80 we paid, we received:
- A bottle steriliser
- A buggy
- A baby bath
- A bottle warmer
- A hand blender
- A highchair
- A travel cot
The hand blender was a particularly useful addition. It is the sort of item you might not expect to find available at a hotel, but it makes sense when you are travelling with a baby who may need food prepared to a particular texture.
Having equipment for sleeping, bathing, bottles and meals took pressure off the practical side of our stay. The buggy was another welcome part of the provision.
For VayCay Couple, these are the details that deserve space in a family travel guide. A resort can look lovely in photographs, but parents also need to know how they will manage everyday routines once they arrive.
The £80 was what we paid, rather than a guaranteed price for future bookings. Check the current charge, availability and exact equipment list with TUI before travelling.
Celebrating our shared birthday on 25 September at Holiday Village Türkiye
We celebrated our daughter’s birthday and mine during the holiday. We share the same birthday, 25 September, so it was a special part of the trip for our family.
We spoke to reception about the occasion, and they decorated the room for us and provided cookies and Turkish delight. My husband also paid extra for balloons and flowers as a surprise. I cannot tell you how much those cost because he kept that part a secret!
We also booked the Mediterranean à la carte restaurant for our birthday meal, where the staff sang “Happy Birthday” to us. The service was quick and the food was fantastic. I had the beef tenderloin, while my husband chose the Mediterranean pizza. We both really enjoyed our meals, and the staff helped make the celebration even more special.
If you are visiting for a birthday or another occasion, speak to reception about what they can organise and book your restaurant meal ahead of time. Ask which arrangements are complimentary and which cost extra, as the options may differ from those available during our stay.
A Big Family Room and Some Bathroom Details to Check
Our family room was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room for the travel cot and baby equipment. With a one-year-old, that extra space was useful around naps, getting ready and bedtime, and we were really pleased with the accommodation.
The bathroom had a bath with an attached shower and a toilet with a built-in bidet. The bath was handy, although the shower temperature could be temperamental, switching between very hot and very cold. Check the water carefully before bathing your child and let reception know if you have any problems with it.
Food Choice That Worked for Adults and Our Baby
The food was fantastic, with a massive variety. There was even a Sunday dinner, which was a welcome familiar option among the other choices.
With a one-year-old, we were particularly interested in simple food we could offer our baby. There were plenty of steamed vegetables, and the pancakes were a child-friendly breakfast option. Those details made the food provision feel useful for us as a family.
Lunch at the poolside café gave us plenty to choose from, including salads, chips, burgers, curries and chow mein. We were really pleased with the variety, and it was easy to find something for ourselves as well as simple options for our little one.
There was no bacon at breakfast during our stay, so do not expect every part of a traditional British cooked breakfast. There were plenty of other choices, though, and we were happy with the food overall.
Having that variety helped when feeding our one-year-old. If something did not appeal, we could choose an alternative without making mealtimes complicated. If your child has allergies or specific dietary requirements, speak to the hotel before travelling to check what they can accommodate.
The entertainment team deserves a special mention
The entertainment was next level. A special mention goes to Chester and the whole activity team, who brought so much energy and fun every day. We would give them an easy 10 out of 10.
Travelling with a one-year-old means you will not necessarily use every activity aimed at children. Even so, the entertainment and the people delivering it can make a big difference to the atmosphere of a family holiday.
It is worth thinking about that when reading reviews. Guests looking for a quiet retreat may judge a lively resort differently from families who want organised activities and entertainment.
Check age requirements separately for any clubs or sessions you plan to use. A resort having plenty for children does not mean every activity is suitable for a baby.
Pools And Sunbeds Without the Morning Scramble
We had no issue getting sunbeds. That was a welcome detail because finding somewhere to sit should not become another job on a holiday with a young child.
The swimming pools were clean and impressive, with hundreds of sunbeds around them. We had no trouble finding somewhere to sit, which made things easier when we were heading to the pool with our one-year-old.
We will recommend bringing your own inflatables if you plan to use them. It saves buying them at the hotel shop, where prices can be high, and you can pack exactly what your family needs.
Check the drinks included in your booking
There were plenty of bars, and we found the staff fast, efficient and friendly. The all-inclusive drinks selection was more limited than you might expect, so check which brands and spirits are included if you have a particular favourite.
We also heard conversations about drinks tasting weaker than expected and dark rum being unavailable. Taste alone does not tell you the alcohol content, but it is worth checking the menu before ordering.
One detail to watch is the midnight cutoff for all-inclusive drinks. During our stay, we heard guests talking about a delayed flight that landed at around 10pm. By the time they reached the hotel and checked in, it was after midnight, and they said they were charged €40 for a couple of drinks.
That did not happen to us, but it is worth keeping in mind if you arrive late. Check the current service hours for your booking and ask whether drinks are included before ordering after midnight.
Our included transfer took around 20 minutes
Our airport transfer to Holiday Village Türkiye was included in the TUI package, and the journey took around 20 minutes.
On arrival, we were the second stop. The first was at TUI BLUE, only about a minute away, so there was very little extra travelling before we reached our hotel.
The return journey was an unexpected bonus: we were the only passengers. We effectively had a private transfer without paying extra for one.
That will not happen on every booking, but it was a lovely surprise for us. Check your own transfer arrangements and allow for the possibility of other hotel stops.
Late Checkout and the Extras Worth Budgeting For
Late checkout is worth considering if you have an evening flight, especially when travelling with a baby. Standard checkout is at midday, so a 6pm airport transfer can leave you with several hours without your room.
The late checkout prices are displayed at reception. Let the reception team know as soon as possible if you would like to keep your room longer, so they can check availability and confirm the cost. A five-hour extension was reported at €90 but check the price for your stay before making plans.
There is also an on-site barber. We heard good things about Volcan, including a recommendation for his haircut and cutthroat razor shave, reported at €30. Ask about the current services and prices if you fancy booking a visit.
Use The Swap Shop and Compare Prices in Town
The swap shop was a really useful idea. We found a baby inflatable, a ball, mosquito spray and sun cream there, and we left some of our own things behind when we went home. It is a handy way to pass on items another family can use rather than throwing them away or squeezing them into your suitcase. Check the condition and expiry dates of any products before using them.
The hotel shop prices are worth watching. We heard about guests paying £16 for two bags of sweets on site, then buying the same quantity in town for £5. They said reception arranged their taxi for £5 too. Prices can change, but it is worth comparing them if you need several things and confirming the taxi fare before setting off.
If you decide to head into town, our practical travel safety tips cover keeping your money and phone secure, arranging transport and having your accommodation details available when you need them.
Take the insect warnings seriously
Take the mosquito warnings seriously and remember that the flies can bite too. We heard other guests comparing bites, with some saying they had only a few and others reporting around 30, particularly after forgetting to apply repellent.
Pack an effective insect repellent and follow the instructions, including the age guidance for your child. Choose a proven option such as DEET or a suitable alternative, rather than relying on citronella alone, which offers shorter protection.
For our family, the holiday’s strongest points were the practical baby equipment, the spacious room, the food and the entertainment team. Celebrating our shared birthday there made it even more memorable. The reviews nearly put us off, but our own experience gave us plenty of reasons to be pleased we booked.
