'WOW Bodrum' or to give it its proper title 'World of Wonders Bodrum Resort' is superb, amazing, delightful and stunning. I could leave the review at that but it doesn't give you much of an insight to such a fantastic place - does it? Well allow me to continue...
~~Main Info~~
Well first of all you can't really call it a hotel; it's more of a complex, but for ease of reading I'll continue to call it a hotel. It has one the most comprehensive list of features that I've seen for an all-inclusive hotel (it's actually advertised as an 'all-inclusive plus' hotel, which means things like some watersports are included). The hotel is built on a hill and has been made so everything is essentially in a series of terraces. Effectively there are five or six main levels but three of these are rooms/apartments only levels. The reception area is the first level; this gives you access to the Reception, the Seyir (Reception) bar, Guest relations office, Jewellery boutique (Very expensive!), Currency exchange and meeting rooms; down the staircase or lift takes us to the main level which has the Buffet-style Amadeus restaurant, access to the top 3 levels of rooms, the fitness centre (which includes a gym, a squash court and an indoor pool) and a small sports clothing shop. Down another set of stairs, ramps or the lift again (this is a well laid out hotel with multiple access routes to most places) will take you to the main pool level - from here you can access most other routes around the hotel - the main pool area includes the pool bar, a small kiosk, the games room, Hairdressers, First Aid room & on-site Doctor, photo kiosk and the Windmill area.
The Windmill is a bar and seating area which, from the top of the windmill, has some great views over the surrounding bay; and is an excellent place to take pictures from or to have a delicious coffee and watch the comings and goings around the bay area.
Down another level from here (again by steps or lift) allows you to access the Amphitheatre, the Disco (bar), the Sancak tent (Mediterranean cuisine - mainly fish) and the Turkish restaurant. Mainly the best access routes are by the stairs, taking the lift does mean going on a round-about route occasionally.
Down once more from here takes you to the beach level consisting of the Italian restaurant, the two water slides, the watersports area, the jetties and predictably the beach (including a Beach Volleyball area).
Rooms are spread across the width of the site and also from the top to the bottom, so depending upon where you are you will most likely have to cope with stairs at some point; although they are avoidable it just means taking circuitous routes! Most rooms are standard double/twin rooms; some triples and family rooms are available, including duplex apartments. The rooms are nicely decorated, if a little bright in our room (bright pink furniture and electric blue carpet?), and have reasonable storage space; a large built-in wardrobe, a dresser and a small storage unit, which doesn't sound much but we found it more than ample for our needs - housing two weeks' worth of clothes. In the wardrobe there is a key-lock safe, which you can get the key for by placing a 15€ deposit at reception. There is also a mini-bar/fridge in every room which is re-stocked daily and contains a bottle or two of water, 2 beers, 2 Pepsi, 1 Fanta and 1 Seven-Up (The Fanta and Seven-Up are local varieties but taste similar) If you'd rather have more beers or more Pepsi etc then the maids/cleaners are happy to re-stock with whatever you want - within reason!!
The bathrooms are pretty standard but a marble sink unit helps it look a little more upmarket even if they are a little old. The hotel supplies Hand Wash, Shower Gel and Shampoo, with dispensers on the wall by the sink and bath, so if you don't have to take special toiletries then don't worry about packing your bag with your own supplies!
~~My experience~~
My partner and I and our two friends booked reasonably well in advance and our travel agent asked if we had any special requests - We asked for a sea view from the list of alternatives - low floor, no steps etc. Just by chance we mentioned that our friends had had a particularly bad experience on their honeymoon and this would probably become known as their 2nd honeymoon (it was said more jokingly than anything) however when we arrived at the hotel we were asked whose honeymoon or anniversary was it? Not really thinking about what they meant we all just shrugged our shoulders and said it was a bit of both! The significance of this became clearer to us when we were shown to our rooms, but first a little bit about the reception. When you first walk in you are struck by the marble flooring and the amount of glass on show - It is a spacious area that wouldn't look out of place in many 5* hotels. The reception staff were always helpful, polite and always asked if there was anything else we needed. A porter took all of our bags/cases and showed us to our room after we had filled-out a very simple registration card. He pointed out relevant parts of the hotel as we made our way; after showing us to our room he showed us how to work the air-con (free of charge) and that it wouldn't work with the patio/balcony door open. He didn't wait for a tip, which I felt was a good sign, so I had to call to him and put a small gesture of appreciation in his hand.
I like a hotel that makes an effort - and WOW is one of those - the rooms aren't huge but they had laid out flowers on the bed, a chilled bottle of sparkling wine with two flute glasses, a bowl of fresh fruit and nuts, a bouquet of flowers in a vase and two towelling bath robes. It's a small thing but it made us feel welcome.
IMPORTANT - So my advice is when you book, to tell the travel agent that it's a special occasion such as an anniversary!!
~~~~Get to know the Resort~~~~
One of the nice things about the WOW resort is the way that the accommodation blocks are set out. You'll find little streets with good signage (but not intrusive) showing the way to the numbered levels and the 70 or so rooms on each level. The pathways remind me of a Mediterranean city's back streets, covered with climbing plants and a wealth of low-level planting. I really felt like the management had made an effort to make all of the walkways inviting to walk along and not just a plain route you need to take.
Taking a walk around is a great way to get to know 'what is where' but the map you are given is a real god-send; there is also a large 'site' map by the pool bar. But if you do get lost then most of the staff speak English and are happy to help.
The pool area is huge but then you may be sharing it with a large number of people - during our time (in August) we never had a problem getting 4 loungers all together - either by the pool or down at the beach. You'll also find one of the two towel huts - when you check in you'll be given a towel card each - your towel card can be exchanged for a freshly laundered beach towel every day. The other towel hut is down on the beach level; so you'll only need to pack beach towels if you plan on going on to the public beach (but why would you?). The pool is a freeform pool which is one depth across the length and width; there is also a large bridge across the middle, which tends to be the meeting place for the animation team when they coerce (in the nicest possible way) people to join in the pool games. No-one is excluded from the games they make space for all types - although most kids tend to be quite happy in the specific kids clubs.
Drinks are available pretty much 24 hours a day; there are 7 bars for your drinking pleasure: The Seyir (Reception) bar, The Poolside bar, The Windmill bar, The 'Quiet pool' bar, The Beach bar, The Disco bar (at the back of the amphitheatre) and the Juice bar (in the gym - non-alcoholic drinks only)!!! So there is always somewhere to get a drink - PLUS you have the mini-bar in your room. Most of the bars have their own cocktails including "champagne" cocktails; the barmen are also happy to make your own cocktails if they stock the right spirits - in fact one barman wrote down a couple of our 'recipes'!!
Of the restaurants, we found ourselves heading back time and again to the Italian; the staff seemed to be a little less busy and were just more friendly overall. You can book a table at each of the three á la carte restaurants once per week, but if you get friendly with the waiters they will try and squeeze you in. The restaurants are all of good quality; the food, wine and service.
The 'Amadeus' main buffet is quite something; there is simply a massive choice of food at every sitting. If you want to be ultra critical then you could say that there isn't much in the way of British food - but why should there be? This is a Turkish hotel that caters for the majority of it's guests; Mainland Europeans including Russians (cue debate about whether Russia is part of Europe) And on that score it whole-heartedly wins - there is a huge choice of different styles of food, whether it is Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. The trays of food are always well presented with carved fruit and vegetables arranged around the display area. At Breakfast there tended to be a BIG queue for the freshly cooked pancakes and fried eggs; During Lunch the queues tend to be smaller; and for Dinner - Get in early, not to ensure you get food because we NEVER saw an empty tray that wasn't re-filled, but simply to get a good table! We are all non-smokers and the worst thing we found at WOW was the constant smoking including in the Dining area (albeit in a smoking section) - so if you only take one piece of advice from this 'little' review then let it be this - Get down to Dinner early, get a nice table in the non-smoking section and smile at the waiters - they enjoy talking to friendly guests! You will find a wide choice of salad and desserts; the main course variety is even bigger ranging from plain chicken through traditional Turkish dishes and accompaniments to Vegetarian options. There were some nice touches like a 'home-made' area, which was usually a delicious Goulash. WOW has tasty, well cooked food. I don't want to go on about it but the food was GOOD!
In the way of activities - well I can't think of much else that you could expect from a Beach-side hotel. If they don't already have it available then they will organise it for you. We found the Water Sports facilities excellent; but in general there is so much to keep you occupied. As you would expect there is a whole load of activities/amenities included in the 'all-inclusive plus' price - Tennis Court, Sauna, Fitness Centre, Games Room, Spa & 'Wellness' Centre, Massages, Children's Playground, Billiards/Pool, Table Tennis, Karaoke, Windsurfing, Darts, Canoeing, Diving, Sailing, Hammam, Squash, Indoor Swimming Pool, Outdoor Swimming Pool.
Down on the beach level - They have water-skiing times and banana boat times. You can take out a catamaran or have an instructor show you how to handle one. You can snorkel around the main jetty and watch the fish. You can paddle an open canoe out around the bay. You can even take out a windsurfer and try your luck with the variable wind! Or you can sit on the large cushions on the jetty and watch the plethora of boats taking tourists out for a trip around the coast.
Take your pick, if you can't decide, then do it all.
~~~~LOCAL INFO~~~~
We didn't travel into Bodrum much but there are some nice bits - the Castle and the Marina area, and the night-time market area. Gumbet is smaller but has a great 'bar street' called Barlar Street - full up of British, American, Irish, Dutch etc bars that all do specials but can be expensive.
There are also some great little places to visit for Turkish Hamman's - just ask reception for advice
As for trips etc we went to Dalyan (highly recommended), Ephesus (wonderful history), Pammukale (weird but wonderful) and Kos (worthwhile) But I will add reviews for these individually as this review is turning into a Novel!!
HOTEL BLURB!! Services Room Service, Babysitting/Child Services, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Barber/Beauty Shop, Ironing Service, Currency Exchange. Location Beach, Mountains. Internet Wireless internet is available in the business centre only and is free of charge. Guest Parking Free Secured parking is possible on site. Hotel information There are numerous options. Main pool (1052 m²), aqua park (85 m², 2 slides), relax pool (120 m²), children's pool (50 m²), indoor pool (65 m²/ including children's section). Deckchairs, parasols and towels are free at all the pools.
Night shows such as music, theme days, show programs, cabaret, sketches, contest, live music after show (3 days a week), karaoke and special disco enjoyment.
There is also a gym, sauna, steam room, spa and a range of spa treatments such as reflexology, massages, sea weed treatments, facials and hydro-massage (surcharge for all treatments). Food & beverage The aIl-inclusive options consist of breakfast, lunch and dinner, all served in a buffet style in the main restaurant. There is also a tent serving pancakes, as well as a patisserie.
Local and standard imported drinks are available. Grilled meat and fish options are complemented by Turkish specialities.
Alternatively, you may enjoy the different cuisine available in the 3 reservation-only á la carte restaurants: La Gondola (Italian cuisine), Sini (Turkish cuisine) and Sancak (Mediterranean cuisine). Room information If you seek for comfort, you are at the right place. All 496 rooms, with balcony or terrace are equipped with telephone (chargeable), bathtub (no bathtub in the rooms special to the disabled guests), WC, shower, hair-dryer, shampoo and shower gel, central system ventilation and heating, soft drinks and beer at the mini bar replenished every day, satellite TV, 36 satellite channels and 1 info channel (Turkish and English), radio broadcasted on TV and free depository case. Smoke-free rooms are available. Area information Barlar Street - the busiest street in Gumbet and the centre of nightlife in the resort. Many bars, clubs and restaurants are located here.
Bodrum Castle (4 km) - the ancient structure offers spectacular views of Bodrum, and contains a museum with a numerous artifacts recovered from the area. Important information New Years Gala Dinner is obligatory, 50 Euro per person.
Free of Charge Services Food & Beverages: Welcome cocktail, Mini Bar, Breakfast, lunch and dinner served in buffet style in the main restaurant, Snack bar, patisserie, tent ( with Turkish pancake service ), late snack, night snack included, Standard local and standard imported liquor are included Services: Parking, Safe ( in room ), Fitness Centre, Mini Club, Day time sport activities & Night Shows, Catamaran, banana, canoe, wake board, wind surf board , sailing, water ski using ability required, Diving course in swimming pool, 30 min. Group tennis lessons and racket, Towel, deck chair, umbrella, Wireless internet at the lobby
Special Services for Honeymoon Guests Special set up for honeymoon guests ( Honeymoon flowers, fruit basket, appetizers, sparkling wine ) Honeymoon couples are welcomed at the lobby entrance One breakfast service to the room on their holiday Reservation for A la Carte restaurant
Charged Services Special wine menu at the A la Carte Restaurants, Special food menu at La Gondola Restaurant, Medical Services, Massage, Beauty Parlour, Hairdresser, Diving School, Tennis Course, Floodlight of tennis courts, Floodlight of mini football & basketball court, Sailing course, Laundry & Dry Cleaning (Ironing), Baby sitting , Telephone & Fax, Jet - ski, para-sailing, Ringo, Pavilions (private relaxation places at the beach)
Thanks for reading - if you have any questions then please don't hesitate to message me.
