Golden Age Hotel Yalikavak Bodrum

Golden Age Bodrum is HORRENDOUS!!!!
First of all, the pictures shown in Booking, Instagram, etc are not the same as reality, the photos posted on websites are totally something else, it looks amazing on social media, but when you go and see it in reality it would be so horrible, literally im not exaggerating it is the worst hotel I have ever been in, The lobby was extremely hot there is no AC!!, The toilets were absolutely revolting, covered in mold, and the wood was severely water-damaged, even in the room! The annex rooms were straight out of the '90s, ancient and rundown like a shabby motel, and none of this was shown on the website or Instagram. The bedsheets and covers were disgustingly filthy, riddled with stains, and the floor was so dusty it was like it hadn't been cleaned in years. My socks would turn pitch black just from walking around the room. I wouldn’t even rate this hotel—it deserves a zero out of 10.

We recently stayed at the Golden Age Hotel in Bodrum Yalıkavak for 5 nights, and our experience was mixed.

The location of the hotel is fantastic, and from the outside, it presents a modern and appealing facade. The entrance is stylish and promising, which initially raised our expectations.

Unfortunately, our positive first impression quickly diminished upon entering the corridors leading to the rooms. The interior decor is dated and in need of refurbishment, which is disappointing for a 4-star hotel. Our room was particularly old and showed significant signs of wear and tear. The bathroom was outdated, equipped only with a broken soap dispenser that was later fixed, but lacked any other amenities typical of a 4-star establishment. It felt more like a 2- or 3-star B&B in terms of provisions.

The beds were also old, and the bed base was visibly dirty, reflecting poorly on the hotel's overall cleanliness and attention to detail. We considered changing hotels at this point but decided to stay.

Breakfast was underwhelming, with standard but uninspiring options like cheese, olives, salad, and boiled eggs. The only plentiful item was Simit (bagels), which seemed insufficient for a 4-star hotel. There were no fries available, much to my 4-year-old's disappointment, and when I asked the chef, his response was rude and dismissive.

Dinner followed the same disappointing trend. The selection was limited and repetitive, with the same dishes presented on both sides of the counter. Sausages seemed to be a staple every day, but the overall quality and variety were poor. Desserts were also repetitive, predominantly consisting of cakes with cream and syrup, with no traditional Turkish desserts like Baklava offered. The soups were overly spicy and lacked flavor, further diminishing our dining experience.

Housekeeping was another area where the hotel fell short. Although the housekeeper was friendly, the service was subpar. Our sheets were not changed for the entire 5-day stay, and the cleaning was superficial at best. This level of service does not meet the standards one would expect from a 4-star hotel.

The pool and beach were satisfactory, although the wind in Yalıkavak prevented us from using the beach on several days. However, one incident at the pool was particularly troubling. My son became sick in the main pool, and I immediately informed the staff at the towel section. The staff member's response was dismissive, insisting that it was the pool cleaner's responsibility and taking no action. Even after a second request and another staff member being present, no action was taken to address the situation. This was disgraceful and concerning from a health and safety perspective.

As non-drinkers, we were dismayed to find that the hotel used the same plastic cups for both alcoholic and soft drinks. This practice is particularly inappropriate for children and those who abstain from alcohol. After realizing this, we started using paper cups instead.

The saving grace of our stay was Sinan, a waiter in the restaurant. His friendly demeanor and attentive service stood out. Despite being new, he consistently ensured we were well taken care of and always had a smile on his face.

In conclusion, while the Golden Age Hotel has a great location and a promising exterior, the overall experience fell short of 4-star expectations. The rooms and facilities are outdated, the dining options lack variety and quality, and the housekeeping is inadequate. The pool incident highlighted a serious lack of staff training and responsiveness. The practice of using the same cups for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks is another significant issue. Despite the reasonable price, the hotel needs significant improvements to truly deserve its 4-star rating. Sinan's exceptional service was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing stay. There are many other negative points, but I believe this is enough to give a clear picture of the hotel's shortcomings.

This hotel is very dirty and old. For example, as others have mentioned many of their towels have stains, it seems like no one bothers to clean the windows in the lobby. The room pictures on their site are somehow misleading as many of their rooms are completely different in style and architecture from what is seen in those pictures. If you want to stay there, at least go to a sea view room in the main building, they are better, and the family room I saw was good. The quality and variety of the food served is average. The only positive points are the speed of internet, the pool and the beach. Overall I think it's overpriced, and I can't recommend it.

If you are a tourist and considering this hotel because of its location, better price and sea, DO NOT COME to this hotel. The hotel is extremely dirty and the service is horrible. The amenities are so old, not well kept, the rooms are old and dirty and when you ask for better service, no one is helping you. Turkey is known for its good food. This hotel provides the worst food you can ever eat and I am ashamed to say as a Turkish citizen I could not eat one day at this hotel and had to pay extra money to eat out! The sea is wonderful but that is God’s send. The towels and the sheets are dirty, there is no AC after 7:30 pm, the places to sit at the beach are extremely dirty and old. There is nothing good about the hotel other than the beautiful sea that has nothing to do with the hotel. There are many other nearby hotels that may be a bit more expensive but please stay away from this one. I wrote this review as a Turkish person making sure the tourists coming to my beautiful country have a nice experience as the area is so pretty with amazing blue sea!

No wifi in rooms. They have double beds only in every standard room. Beds are small. Hotel looks very old, toilets look nasty. Receptionist lady doesnt speak english. There was an already open water bottle in the mini fridge.