Ideal Prime Beach

The lobby at this upscale hotel makes striking first impression, with its huge contemporary chandeliers, a marble-covered reception area, latticed wall separators, gold and silver archways, and oversized flower vases. Most guests are Russian and Ukrainian, but also English, Turkish, and Dutch, with couples and families predominating. The size of the hotel and its packed lineup of entertainment options keep things bustling at most hours of the day and night. Like many other hotels in Marmaris, the Ideal Prime Beach is open only during the summer season; typically first of May until the end of October, though exact dates may vary.

The Ideal Prime Beach sits right on the Marmaris shoreline and beach, though the waterfront restaurants and bars are less densely packed along the promenade in this area than they are closer to the center of town. The main road behind the hotel has additional places to eat and drink, as well as to shop, and there's a minibus that makes frequent stops and can shuttle guests to the area's top sights, including the old town, castle, and harbor, in addition to the bus station. It's about a 10-minute drive to İçmeler's beaches, and Dalaman, the closest airport, is 90 minutes away by car.

The Ideal Prime Beach’s 632 guest rooms are spread over four large white blocks, and there's some variation in room size even among the Standard Rooms. Units are decked out with glossy black furniture and headboards, gold-tinted wall lamps, and silver- and coral-colored crushed-velvet pillows, bed runners, and chairs. There’s not a lot of room to squeeze between the foot of the beds and the vanities/desks; rooms with both a single bed and a double bed feel particularly cramped. All units have large balconies, about half of which have a sea view; the rooms right above the beach, away from the pool area, are the quietest. There's also coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, and safes. The small, contemporary bathrooms, have hairdryers, toiletries, and showers.

Family Rooms are a bit larger, though still only have one bathroom, while interconnecting rooms -- two Standard Rooms sharing an interior door -- are also available. The hotel also has two enormous suites. The King Suite has a modern, office-like living-room area equipped with leather couches and a desk, computer, and its own private internet network; a large bedroom; a marble-clad bathroom with a whirlpool tub/shower combo; and a large L-shaped balcony overlooking the pool complex. The Prime Suite is bigger still, with a massive dining room big enough to host multiple guests for a full meal.

Features are a highlight here and solidly cater to the hotel's clientele. A large beach with sunbeds, big wicker umbrellas, and two sunbathing piers stretches in front of the property. Beach towel service is available with a towel card. Within the hotel’s five-acre grounds, there two good-size outdoor pools partially ringed by palm trees, a “relax” pool closer to the lobby area and an "active" pool by the kids’ pool where the animation team entertains guests throughout the day. The separate kids’ pool has three waterslides and a pirate-themed aquatic play area.

Buddha statues and large-format photographs of tumbling waterfalls greet guests at the entrance to the sizable spa. It contains three Turkish baths, five massage rooms and a facial room, a sauna, and two thatched-roof cabanas outside on the grass for massage treatments. There's also an open-air indoor pool with a sea view, wicker couches for relaxing after treatments, a decent-size fitness center, and a private VIP section with its own Turkish bath, sauna, and steam room.

An entertainment schedule that changes every two weeks includes evening events such as Turkish nights with belly-dancers and folk dancers, Cuban and salsa dance performances, white/black parties (where guests all wear the designated colors), and barman shows of juggling and other tricks. Organized daytime activities around the pool include yoga, water aerobics, table tennis, and darts, and there’s a beach party once a week in the afternoon. For kids, there’s a mini-club, a small playground, and a nightly “mini-disco,” as well as a few pool and ping-pong tables near the seaside.

A glitzy dining room with gilded columns, chandeliers, purple accents, high-backed upholstered chairs, and large buffet stations is the main location for meals, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner accompanied by live music. There’s also a “food court” area outside with show-cooking stations and outdoor seating. Other options for eating include the snack area by the pool, which serves up salads, pastas, burgers, chicken, and gözleme (Turkish savory crepes). For sweets, a patisserie near the seaside has a large selection of cookies and other treats. Meals at two additional restaurants overlooking the seafront, one Turkish and one Indian, are available for an extra charge, though guests can opt to have one meal at either restaurant as part of their all-inclusive package (reservations required). Many guests, however, give the food mixed reviews.

Above the Turkish restaurant, there’s a terrace bar called “The Pub,” with low couches and colorful chairs, where live music is offered usually three time a week. Across the hallway is the hotel’s two-level nightclub, with balcony seating, a bar, and a stage for DJs and bands to perform.

The Ideal Prime Beach also has a mini-market, jewelry shop, on-site photographer, hair salon, doctor, and on-site tour operators who can book excursions (all extra charge). Wi-Fi is only available in the common areas of the hotel.