D-Resort Grand Azur

The Grand Azur was one of the first big luxury hotels in Marmaris, and it has maintained a stately elegance. The atmosphere is more sedate than some other hotels of its size, with the large, hushed lobby setting the tone upon entrance. Guests are a mix of families, couples, and groups of different ages, with many repeat visitors from the UK and elsewhere in Europe, as well as Turkey, Russia, and a small number from the Middle East. Like many other hotels in Marmaris, the Grand Azur is open during the summer season (April through October) only.

Smack on the shoreline, the Grand Azur’s location offers both convenience and good views of the sea. The waterfront promenade that runs in front of the hotel stretches for blocks in either direction, and is full of restaurants, bars, and cafes, most of them catering to tourists. There are also eateries on the main road behind the hotel.

It’s a 15-minute drive to the Marmaris castle, old town, and harbor, where both excursion boats and the ferry to Rhodes, Greece, dock. There's a minibus that stops along the main road that runs to the bus station (a 15-minute ride) and to the neighboring resort of İçmeler (about 10 minutes by car). Dalaman Airport is the closest to the hotel, and it's about 90 minutes away by car. 

Spread out over four blocks in three buildings, the Grand Azur’s 324 guest rooms are tastefully decorated, with wood furniture and trim, deep purple and grey accents, and abstract-art paintings. All units have good-sized balconies with a table and two chairs; just over half have a full or partial sea view, while those with a “land view” look out over town across a fairly busy road.

The Standard Rooms that make up the majority of the accommodations here are spacious, and they come equipped with large upholstered chairs, round wooden tables, and curved wooden vanities. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, kettles with free tea and instant coffee, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are medium-sized, with large showers with rainfall showerheads, hairdryers, and a nice array of toiletries.

Suite Rooms are large, with living rooms -- each equipped with a couch, upholstered chair, coffee table, dining table, and its own flat-screen TV -- separated from the bedrooms by sliding doors. The living rooms can hold two rollaway cots for children. 

The nine Deluxe Suites on the fifth floor, added during the hotel's last renovation in 2013, are even larger, and all have sea views. The living and sleeping areas aren’t fully separated, but you can see the water from the beds and from the whirlpool tubs in the large marble-clad bathrooms. A Grand Suite has two separate bedrooms sharing one bathroom, while a King Suite has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

A beautifully landscaped garden with palm trees, bushes, grassy lawns, and more than 20 different types of flowers surround the big, sinuous outdoor pool area, which includes a kids’ pool with a waterslide. Towel service is free here and at the hotel’s large beach across the waterfront walkway, where there’s white sand brought in from outside the area, a dock for sunbathing, a beach bar selling Mövenpick ice cream, and live music in the evenings. Water sports such as jet-skiing and parasailing (extra charge) are offered by a third-party vendor, as are taxi boats (extra charge) to the harbor and other points along the waterfront.

Organized activities like water polo and a kids’ disco keep guests busy poolside at the Grand Azur in the afternoon, while an adjacent stage hosts nightly performances featuring the likes of acrobats, magicians, or Brazilian dancers. There’s no indoor kids’ club but there is an outdoor playground where members of the animation team entertain children. Unshaded tennis courts (private lessons offered for an extra charge) and spaces for groups to play soccer, basketball, or volleyball are nearby.

The attractive tiled Azur Spa and fitness area has a half-Olympic indoor pool with a skylight and a separate kids’ pool. The spa has massage rooms, a steam room and sauna, and a large relaxation area behind a zigzagging wall of bamboo. There's also a Turkish bath, a Pilates room, and a coffee/juice bar (drinks and spa treatments extra charge). The spacious gym has weights and cardio machines that overlook the hotel's central garden.

The airy Palmiye Restaurant has long buffet stations serving up international dishes such as lamb osso bucco, roti, and grilled fish, along with Turkish specialties, plus there's an open grill and pizza oven outside. There's also a kids’ buffet and an ice cream station. Guests can opt for half-board (breakfast and dinner without drinks) or full-board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with drinks only included at meal times) packages.

Complimentary afternoon tea and coffee with cookies and snacks is served in the lobby bar while piano music plays. Cocktails and other alcoholic beverages are on offer here, and at the beach bar, for an extra charge. 

The well-reviewed Steak & Bar restaurant (extra charge, and open to non-guests as well) is perched atop the hotel, and offers a panoramic view of the garden pool area and the sea. It’s open for dinner only, with meals accompanied by live piano and violin music.

A grand marble arch off the lobby leads to an arcade housing a jewelry shop, handbag boutique, hairdresser, and mini-mart. The hotel does not provide tour-booking services but can recommend tour operators in town. Other amenities include laundry and room service (fee), a business center, and a ballroom for events.