Balmy Foresta Hotel
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"Beautiful Grounds but Falls Short of Expectations"
The hotel grounds are absolutely stunning, and the kids’ splash pool was a real highlight for our family. The entertainment was good, though we weren’t fans of the amphitheater setup. The buffet food was pretty good overall, and there were a handful of exceptional staff members who went above and beyond to assist and serve us. That said, there were a few downsides. The number of flies swarming around while eating — especially at the outdoor buffet and garden restaurant — was quite off-putting. The à la carte restaurants were extremely disappointing, especially when compared to other hotels we’ve stayed at in Turkey. While we did enjoy our holiday overall, we wouldn’t choose to return here — which is unusual for us, as we’ve always happily revisited other resorts. We managed to get a good deal on this package, but had we paid full price, we would have felt very disappointed. Compared to similar places we’ve stayed, this felt more like a 4-star property than the 5-star experience we expected.
"Fantastic Post-Exam Getaway with Teens – Great Food and Activities!"
We stayed for a week post-exams with four teenage boys and made the most of every sport option available while thoroughly enjoying the buffet! The food was exceptional, and the staff worked tirelessly to provide excellent service. The adult pool was a lovely little haven to escape to when we needed a quiet moment. Special shoutout to the entertainment team — the yoga teacher each morning brought such calm and balance to the day, and the guys running darts, volleyball, and table tennis were full of enthusiasm and energy, helping bring everyone together with their language skills and vibrant personalities. While the rooms and corridors are a little tired and could use some updating, the upgraded outdoor spaces and common areas are beautiful and made our stay very enjoyable.
"Decent Stay with Pros and Cons – Better for Families than Couples"
I’ve visited many 4-5* resorts, and this was a slightly unusual experience by comparison. The rooms were dimly lit, and the single beds had uncomfortable pillows. Housekeeping was efficient and helpful when we requested extra items, though we did have to call several times for various things to be brought over. The food was good overall, with enough variety to keep things interesting for a week. However, drinks were hit or miss — cocktails and iced coffees varied in quality depending on the bartender. Communication could also be challenging as many staff spoke only minimal English. The beach was quite underwhelming, yet people would still get up very early to reserve the best sunbeds with towels. The massage at the spa was great, but I didn’t try the other facilities, so I can’t comment on those. WiFi coverage was patchy and didn’t reach all areas of the resort, so I resorted to using mobile data. Evening entertainment lacked variety, but the animation team were warm and welcoming. Special mention to Devrim, who ran darts twice daily and made it fun ❤️. Overall, this is a quiet resort with minimal adult-focused activities but plenty for kids. If you’re looking for an affordable, low-key getaway — particularly as a family — it could be a good option.
"Disappointing Stay – Definitely Not a 5-Star Experience"
We’ve just returned from a week-long family holiday with two children, and sadly, my experience was terrible. While the hotel grounds are lovely, the service and staff were far from what you’d expect at a 5-star resort. Staff need proper training and should be able to communicate in English. Basic amenities in the room were never replenished — coffee cups weren’t replaced after use, coffee sachets and shower gel weren’t restocked, and the room wasn’t cleaned daily. At the bar, ordering a drink was frustrating as most staff didn’t understand and often brought the wrong orders. Even worse, my 3-year-old grandson got food poisoning a couple of days into our stay. This hotel is nowhere near 5-star standards — at best, it’s a 3-star. We definitely would not return and cannot recommend it.
"Decent Stay If You Get a Good Deal – But Not Worth Full Price"
If you’re debating whether to visit, my advice is yes — but only if you can snag a good deal. At full price, the experience feels more average than premium, though this could improve as the hotel is still relatively new. I stayed in a junior suite in the main building. While the room was clean, it felt a little outdated and lacked the modern touches you’d expect from a high-end resort. The weakest part of the experience was the food and beverage offerings. The buffet is decent for meat-eaters but extremely limited for vegetarians, with little variety from day to day. Some items, like cheese, ham, and sausage, were surprisingly low quality. The à la carte restaurants were even more frustrating. Despite the friendliness of the staff, they seemed undertrained. Orders were frequently forgotten or mixed up — even drinks — and on several occasions, I had to fetch menus myself after waiting too long. The bar options were equally underwhelming. The alcohol selection was limited, and some brands (like the Aperol) tasted cheap. As a non-drinker, I also found it disappointing there were no non-alcoholic beer options. On the positive side, the hotel’s facilities are fantastic. The pools, tennis courts, beach area, and sunbeds were all beautifully maintained and easily the highlight of the stay. In summary, the resort shines in terms of outdoor spaces and leisure facilities but needs to significantly raise its food and service standards to justify its premium price.
"Perfect Family Getaway with Excellent Food and Service"
We visited for a family holiday with four teenage boys to unwind after exams, and it was a fantastic experience. The food was excellent with plenty of variety to keep everyone happy, and the staff were wonderful — friendly, attentive, and always willing to help. A special highlight was the morning yoga sessions — the instructor delivered a superb class every day, creating a relaxing and energizing start to our mornings. Overall, a great mix of relaxation, good food, and excellent service. Highly recommended!
"A Fabulous Stay in a Stunning Setting – We’ll Be Back!"
We had an absolutely fabulous time at Balmy Foresta. The room was beautiful, and the food was amazing throughout our stay. The service really stood out — special thanks to Cengiz and Ibrahim, who took such great care of us at mealtimes. The bar staff were equally wonderful, especially Enes and Ozkan, who happily crafted cocktails on request. The location is breathtaking, with the resort nestled among trees and mountains as a stunning backdrop. I also loved the fitness team — Bash’s yoga and pilates classes were first-class, and he’s an outstanding instructor. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the volleyball sessions organized by Abdullah. Every detail made this trip memorable, and we’re already looking forward to coming back!
"Good Family Hotel, But Not Quite 5 Stars"
We stayed from the end of May to early June, and while we enjoyed our holiday overall, there were both highlights and drawbacks. The Positives: ✅ The kids club was excellent, offering a full-day program that kept our little ones entertained and happy. I’d suggest extending the evening dances from 30 minutes to 1 hour, as the kids absolutely loved it and even asked to go on their own — giving us adults a peaceful lunch break without squealing. Huge thanks to the amazing animators Diana, Damla, and Dina! ✅ A special mention goes to bartender Onur at the main pool (near the kids’ pool). His cocktails were excellent, and his friendly company made afternoons by the pool even better. The bar service across the hotel was consistently good as well. ✅ The staff were generally friendly, and we appreciated the complimentary late checkout at 13:00, which helped a lot with our late flight. The Negatives: ❌ The food was disappointing with limited variety and uninspiring flavors. Interestingly, on our last day, the entire staff at the buffet was replaced by women and the quality noticeably improved — a curious observation. ❌ The rooms weren’t cleaned thoroughly during our stay; the floors were never properly washed. ❌ The beach and sea entrance didn’t suit our preferences, and the grounds looked more beautiful in photos than in reality. ❌ A few interns seemed completely unresponsive to requests, which felt odd in an otherwise friendly team. Final Thoughts: Although the hotel doesn’t live up to its 5-star rating and there’s room for improvement, we still left satisfied. Our children were happy, and we parents enjoyed some relaxing moments at the bar. A good family option if you manage expectations!
"Beautiful Nature, But Service and Management Need Improvement"
The hotel’s landscape is truly stunning, with its lush greenery and towering trees. Exploring nature every day and relaxing in such a serene environment was a real highlight of our stay. However, the sea was difficult to enjoy due to the large rocks along the shore, which made swimming and getting in and out quite challenging. The mini club, water park, and evening activities organized by the animation team were excellent. Our baby loved dancing and playing with other children, and the team’s cheerfulness and energy were wonderful. A special thanks to them for creating such joyful moments. We’d also like to thank Onur and Burak Bey at the poolside and beach bars — their delicious cocktails and warm conversations were a delight. Similarly, Cengiz, Yavuz, Ramazan, Mumin Bey, and Gül Hanım in the restaurant were consistently cheerful and attentive, making our dining experiences more pleasant. As for the food, it was neither exceptional nor poor — generally average in taste and variety. The biggest issue we encountered was the communication barrier with staff. Many of the Kazakh employees didn’t speak Turkish or English, making it difficult to convey even simple requests. In the hospitality industry, effective communication is crucial for guest satisfaction, and this gap significantly affected our overall experience. We learned the hotel recently changed ownership, and the lack of organization and coordination among staff seemed to reflect this transition. The rooms, while functional, felt dated and in need of renovation. Occasionally, unpleasant odors from behind the restaurant area detracted from our comfort. Another challenge was guests reserving sun loungers early in the morning with towels, limiting their availability throughout the day. Overall, the hotel offers a beautiful natural setting and has potential, but the management and service quality need substantial improvement to match the level of Turkish hospitality we’ve come to expect.
"Beautiful Surroundings but Falls Short in Key Areas"
This hotel is set in stunning natural surroundings, with a beautiful landscape that immediately catches your eye. The partial renovations have added a fresh touch in some areas, and the entertainment team deserves special praise for their energy and creativity. The show programs were engaging, and there are plenty of sports facilities to enjoy. The water park and swimming pools are also great for both kids and adults. However, there are several drawbacks that made our stay less enjoyable. The air conditioning in the rooms was poor and struggled to keep the spaces cool, which was uncomfortable in the heat. The kitchen feels outdated and in need of a full renovation. While there is plenty of food, the overall quality was disappointing. The fish restaurant by the beach offers delicious meals, but booking a table is nearly impossible as it’s always full. There’s also an unpleasant smell in the kitchen and restaurant areas, likely due to the lack of modern facilities. Another inconvenience is the towel service — it operates only from 9:00 to 17:00 and allows just one exchange per day. If you return from the beach after 5 PM, you’re stuck bringing dirty towels back to your room. Access to the sea is also problematic, as the entrance needs better maintenance and cleaning, especially compared to neighboring hotels. Lastly, even the volleyball court could use improvement, with more sand needed to make it comfortable for play. Overall, while the hotel has potential thanks to its location and some excellent staff, it doesn’t live up to expectations in many key areas. It feels overrated for the price and the 5-star label it advertises.
"Beautiful Resort but Disappointing Service and Layout"
The resort itself is beautiful, but several issues made our stay less enjoyable. During lunch, the service was poor — we had to constantly chase staff for food and drinks, and there seemed to be no proper system in place. Ice cream is also no longer available in the afternoons, which was a letdown. Communication with staff was difficult at times, and not all of them were friendly or helpful. The resort feels very massive and spread out, but surprisingly, there’s no sea view as you’re located too far away from the coast. Lastly, the balcony in our room was very small — it could only seat two people, and oddly, there was just one chair provided. Overall, the setting is lovely, but the service and design fell short of expectations.
"Beautiful Setting but Disappointing Service and Poor Management"
Upon arrival, we were excited to try the a la carte seafood restaurant. Unfortunately, the experience was a disaster. The service was painfully slow, with several guests leaving before their meals arrived. We didn’t even stay for dessert because we were already frustrated and starving after waiting so long for our main courses. To make matters worse, the food itself was mediocre and lacked any standout flavors. We encountered similar issues at Season, the public restaurant open after breakfast, lunch, and late at night. One morning, we arrived for a late breakfast as the second guests in the restaurant. Shockingly, our food didn’t arrive for an hour and a half — and when it did, it was the wrong order: fries, pancakes, and sandwiches we never requested. Despite asking for the manager, no one came. That said, the food here was much tastier than the a la carte seafood restaurant. The steaks, lasagna, and San Sebastian cheesecake were excellent. Sadly, on our last day, the menu was completely changed to mostly fast food items — a huge disappointment, as we’d hoped to enjoy steak or fish for a final meal, not chicken cutlets. The sudden influx of Turkish teachers (perhaps 100 guests) made the hotel feel overcrowded and chaotic, which likely contributed to the decline in food and service quality. As for the sea, it left much to be desired. I’m not sure how this bay earned a Blue Flag certification — the water was dirty, with floating debris and yellow foam. It was unpleasant to swim in, unlike the neighboring hotel’s pier, where the water seemed cleaner (perhaps due to wind direction). On a positive note, the staff in most bars and restaurants (except for Season and the seafood a la carte) were wonderful. The bartenders, waiters, and dishwashers worked sincerely and went out of their way to make guests feel cared for. The cocktails were especially good and prepared with attention to detail. The main restaurant food was hit-and-miss. While I found some delicious dishes, like tender steamed fish and perfectly salted mackerel, many items on the grill were inedible. Oversalted dishes were common early in our stay, and by the last day, undercooked broccoli and raw jacket potatoes appeared — likely due to the guest overload. The entertainment was underwhelming. The Sunset Bar’s reggae background music was monotonous and lacked energy — no wonder guests grabbed their drinks and left. A more upbeat, varied playlist could completely change the vibe. Evening shows ranged from jazz and blues to soul, but felt dull overall. The cabaret show, however, was excellent and a rare highlight. Another major disappointment was how early check-out was handled. With a 2 AM departure and three young children in our group of 11, we requested sandwiches or a light snack for the road. The restaurant staff flat-out refused. After escalating to two more managers, arguing, and wasting valuable time, we were begrudgingly given sandwiches. This lack of empathy and poor management left a lasting negative impression. Would I return to this hotel? Probably not. While I’m grateful for the positive moments and appreciated the effort of the hardworking staff, the resort feels like it’s still finding its footing. With major improvements in management, organization, and service, this hotel could reach its potential — but for now, it’s more of a “work in progress” than a true luxury experience.
Balmy Foresta Hotel
Balmy Foresta Hotel, Turkey – A 5★ all-inclusive resort nestled between pine forests and the Mediterranean. Enjoy a private beach, pools with slides, a spa, and multiple restaurants. Perfect for families and couples seeking relaxation and fun.
Address
Başkomutan, Beldibi, Atatürk Cd. No:143/1, 07985 Kemer/Antalya, Türkiye
Website
http://www.balmyforesta.com/
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
+902428248431