What has gone wrong with the Rhapsody

[neil22]

Just had 2 weeks in Kalkan now back home , we stayed
at the Rhapsody,what a major disappointment. The reviews on
trip advisor and the write up in Anatolian Sky brochure, bear no
resemblance to reality. We got an excellent late deal, but spoke
to many who had paid full price and were fuming.Not a boutique
hotel, just a very tired base to sleep and no more.There were
many rumours circulating, which to believe?, but in my honest
opinion, if the hotel does not improve significantly, Anatolian Sky
run a real risk of being sued under trades description or some
other misrepresentation legislation.
Never mind we still LOVE Kalkan

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=8106.0

[RaynJudi]

Hi Neil
We are due to stay at the Rhapsody for a week in September after a Gulet cruise with Anatolian Sky.
We have chosen the Rhapsody after the reviews and have booked three superior rooms ( Six of us are travelling )
I can see that you were not happy but could you be specific i.e service , food , cleanliness, Pool area etc. What were the rumours?
We are frequent travellers to Kalkan and have travelled there 11 times in ten years, but have never stayed in the same place. The Rhapsody looked lovely and the photographs on the Anatolian Sky web site made the hotel look very inviting!!!!!!
We still have time to change, if the feedback is not good. If this is the case a phone call to Anatolian Sky may be in order.

[neil22]

OK here we go.If you have booked superior rooms you need to
know that they directly overlook the pool and pool bar, with no
privacy on your balcony, all and sundry around the pool can look
in unless you keep your curtains closed!!!I do not know what you
have paid, or what you are expecting, the toiletries consist of
a liquid soap dispenser and a small bar of hotel soap.We asked
for a kettle but it never materialised. The hotel bar prices are way
 over the top compared to other hotels let alone outside bars.
There is a turkish night on a thursday and
your rooms are directly behind it,if you want to be part of it OK if not
you will hear it all anyway.The pool area is surrounded on 3 sides by the hotel
so very little air or breeze, during the 2 weeks we were there, a load
of us made our way to the Yali beach club and relaxed there.Also
along with others our bar bill, although small, was still way out.There
is a lot better for reasonable prices, yes we love Kalkan and will return, but to quote
my wife "If we had paid brochure prices for this ,we WOULD NOT have unpacked"
If you wish to contact me directly please let me know

[neil22]

Continuation, sorry hit wrong button.
The one positive is the place is clean. Rumours ctrculating were
that Anatolian Sky were no longer involved with the management
of the hotel and that the restaurant/bar staff are the second set
this year as the first ones ,depending on which rumour, were either
sacked or walked out.If you are looking for value for money, in my
opinion, this is not the best place to go.

[Mrs Enjoy Kalkan]

RaynJudi, it might be worth your while to look at other hotel review sites as well before cancelling as I'm not saying Neil is wrong but other people might have other opinions and sometimes it is a matter of personal taste. 

[Kalkan Magic]

I agree and it would be good to get feedback from other guests of the Hotel as I haven't heard very bad reports of it before. I think a lot of the comments could be true of many hotels especially re turkish nights, pool surrounded etc, bar prices etc...at least the Rhapsody pool has good views. As I say, it would be interesting if anyone else has stayed there recently.

[neil22]

I fully agree with Kalkan magic and Mrs Enjoy Kalkan, but I would
point out some more in formation.
1.After a phone call from a friend who was looking through the A/SKY website
 for a holiday in Kalkan he tried to find the Rhapsody on Anatolian Sky site for any duration
between now and the end of the season(october) and it is nowhere
to be seen (strange or fully booked?)
and secondly,we met at least 5 couples who were not happy and said
they would post their views on trip advisor, but as usual apathy seems to
rule.Mine is NOT a vendetta against the company or the hotel, but I always
try to be honest and open in my comments and when I hopefully return to
Kalkan at the end of the season I hope to be able to write a really positive
review of where we stay.

[maryjane]

Neil22, I like your very pertinent comments, made good reading!  However, I have posted a few reviews on TripAdvisor( NOT Kalkan I would add) and have had some very abusive comments in response. Supposedly some best hotels in the world   I do not know if it is apathy or being cyber-bullied??    At the end of the day, truth will out, whilst I appreciate everyone's experience can be different, expectations etc, somewhere lies a grain of truth - are we all wrong???.

[heyho]

The Rhapsody has been managed and staffed by Anatolian for the last two years, rented from the owners, Nuri and Munire Yilmaz (who own the Salt and Pepper restaurant also).  This year, however, Nuri and Munire are managing and staffing it themselves. 

Make of that what you will.

[RaynJudi]

There are other recent reviews on Trip Advisor, both positive, and I have no intention of cancelling our holiday, and will travel to Kalkan to stay at the Rhapsody this September.
We are all different in our expectations, and as previously stated we have stayed at 11 diffferent hotels / pensions whilst in Kalkan and we have never been disappointed with any of the accomodation. OK bar and food prices at the hotels can be an issue, but they can have a captive audience. At least you have a choice, walk or pay!!!!!

[Kalkan Magic]

Yes, that's right and at least you don't have far to walk at all from the Rhapsody should you wish. Enjoy your holiday in September.

[neil22]

I too, hope you enjoy your trip to Kalkan, my intention was
NEVER to get anybody to cancel, but to make them aware of
what we thought was a poorly run hotel.If we were just unlucky
 then so be it, but my comments were just a genuine view of
the Rhapsody. If I have caused any offence, I APOLOGISE.

[maryjane]

Neil 22 - bless you!   Why should you have to apologise for expressing your opinion?   I thought we resided in a democratic society - obviously not

[Goldilocks]

Hi Neil22,
I’m just thinking about spending a week or so in mid September at the Rhapsody, because it is in walkable distance to town, therefore I really appreciate your thread. Can you tell something about the rooms e.g. style, balcony or not, size, mint condition or run down, are there any amenities or is it just basic? How is the atmosphere? Is the staff friendly and helpful? How is the breakfast and, very important!, do they call the police or will they stone me to death when I bring my own bottles of water into the room???
By the way, what is the full price (on their website are no prices)? I beleive I found a really reasonable rate at the internet but can't compare...

[neil22]

Firstly, thank you Mary Jane, you have given me the hug I
needed after posting a genuine article. loads of kisses for you.
Now for Goldilocks,and this is a genuine, honest answer to the questions you raise.
Yes it is walkable to town.Our room had 2 single beds pushed together,a small
balcony on which 2 stools could be placed, but not a lot more.Neither mint
condition ,nor run down, just tired.Due to a percentage of guests being unhappy
at what they had paid, the atmosphere was not that good.
Apart from the receptionist, who was excellent, the nearer we got to
our leaving, the friendlier the staff appeared to become (either they were
looking 4 tips ,or I am totally cynical)Breakfast was fine,although usually opened late
and I personally DO NOT like being charged extra for orange juice at breakfast.
There is a sign in the entrance foyer stating no outside liquids are to taken into the
hotel, I did take water,and I am still here to tell the story.For full price I suggest you look
at Anatolian Sky(it has reappeared today 07/07/2011).My better half and I paid £245
each for flights transfers and 2 weeks b and b(excellent price) but met people who
told us thet had paid almost£900 each. I WOULD STAND IN ANY COURT IN UK
AND STAND BY EVERY COMMENT OF THIS ARTICLE I hope it helps. Please enjoy Kalkan.

[felicity]

Hi Neil - thank you for posting your honest opinion about the Rhapsody - but I have to say that at the price you paid - you cannot really have expected any more than you got.  The price of flights is about £245 so somebody is making a loss on your holiday - and that is probably the Rhapsody.

That said - at £900 per person (if that is what people did pay) then I would have expected a better standard of acccommodation which is available at other hotels...

You do get what you pay for and I think if you had mentioned the rock bottom price you paid at the outset then although your comments are completely valid - they could be taken more in context!

Cheers!

[Dellbarr]

Sorry, I don't agree. The price paid has nothing whatever to do with tha comments made.

[onelove]

I dont understand how the holiday can only cost £245.... for flights that normally cost say, £200/£300, transfers for 2 that DO cost £110 for 2 people, and 2 weeks B&B, even at say, £40 per night for 2 ( 14 nights x £40 = £560 )..... someone is going to go out of business at these prices....crazy 

[neil22]

Maybe it is time to put this one to bed.At no time did
I complain about what we paid, I said at the start we had
an excellent deal.My one and only point was to try and
warn other travellers that at brochure price I felt the Rhapsody
was way overpriced for what it offered.If people cannot
cope with an honest appraisal what is the point of having
a site to review accomodation?

[pw]

Maybe it is time to put this one to bed.At no time did
I complain about what we paid, I said at the start we had
an excellent deal.My one and only point was to try and
warn other travellers that at brochure price I felt the Rhapsody
was way overpriced for what it offered.If people cannot
cope with an honest appraisal what is the point of having
a site to review accomodation?

spot on