Gazipasa Star Apart-hotel

As a seasoned traveler who has visited many Muslim countries, including Cairo, I have never experienced anything like this. Unfortunately, we left your hotel feeling both discriminated against and financially exploited.

Right from the beginning, my stay started on an uncomfortable note. At reception, I was immediately asked where my husband was. As a single mother, I found this question intrusive and completely irrelevant to my holiday, and it left me with the feeling that I was not a respected guest.

This uncomfortable feeling was made much worse by a shocking incident at the pool. During a foam party, my four-year-old daughter wanted to join in. Having forgotten her swimsuit, she went in nude, which was completely obscured by the thick layer of foam. While I understand and respect hotel rules, the way I was confronted about this was deeply offensive. Another German-Turkish guest approached me with the absurd accusation that my child's nudity would sexually arouse other men. She also falsely accused me of drinking alcohol and told me I should "go back to my country" if I couldn't respect the rules. It was particularly hypocritical and insulting given that she herself was standing there half-naked in a bikini while making these demands. I was shocked by such xenophobic remarks. Although the pool staff later informed me of the official pool rules, which I respected, it didn't change the feeling of discrimination. The fact that such personal and insulting attacks were not prevented is unacceptable to me.

In addition to this, my overall impression was soured by the tours we booked. I felt that the primary goal was to constantly pressure us to spend money, rather than to showcase the beauty of the culture and landscape I was so eager to experience. I felt reduced to a mere financial transaction, which made it impossible to relax and enjoy the country's rich heritage.
These incidents unfortunately had a very negative impact on our vacation. A country I was open to and interested in was presented to me in a way that made me feel unwelcomed, disrespected, and exploited. Respectful treatment of guests should be the highest priority. I cannot recommend your hotel and, because of these experiences, will not be traveling to Turkey again.