This is an extended version of the summary to be found in the "Blue Cruise – Chapter 3” blog. Blue Cruise booked this hotel as part of our cruise and stay package. Martha greeted us warmly at reception and checked us in whilst we got our first impression of ECE Saray, which certainly lived up to its billing as a luxury boutique hotel. The foyer is comfortable and perhaps bordering on a little eccentric with the two parrots calling out from their cages. Our standard room (302) was a nice size, with plenty of room to walk around the king size bed. It had all the things we'd need for our stay, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, TV with many channels but few English speaking, fridge/mini bar, bath robes and slippers, hair dryer, with an over bath shower in the en suite facilities. The bathroom also contained some very nice, good quality products e.g. shampoo, conditioner. The wow factor from the nicely decorated room came from the amazing view from our Juliet balcony, looking out over the Marina. An absolute fleet of attractive boats of all shapes and sizes sitting in the still waters of the Mediterranean, backed by the impressive Taurus mountains. The same view was to be had from the breakfast terrace one floor up and if it wasn't the most wonderful place we've had to eat our breakfast, then it's right up there. A great selection of items were available from the breakfast buffet and cooked items were served to your table, including a very passable full English. Dinner is served from the adjacent restaurant building, with tables and chairs set out on the decking to enjoy the nighttime views of the Marina. Dining is taken inside the restaurant if the weather is unsuitable for al fresco dining. We found that the food was very nice, tasty, albeit a small menu and the service polite and attentive. One thing to mention is that cats are allowed to roam the decking between the tables and whilst this isn't a problem in itself, if you are uncomfortable with cats it's worth noting. The cats don't seem to bother with the half a dozen ducks that waddle around the very nice gardens most of the time. There is also a Marina bar enjoying the same lovely views, plus the occasional jumping fish. Complimentary WiFi is available in the resort, reception will give you the pass. You need to be signed into the best router/signal for your location in the resort to get the best internet service/speed, which varies greatly from time to time. Clothes shrinkage, particularly in the belt area, could be avoided by regular use of the on site gym (reasonably well equipped) spa and pool. Whilst we were here residents of the hotel got 50% off many massages available. The pool had a jaccuzi within it and was surrounded by plenty of comfy padded cushion covered loungers, plus plenty of umbrellas for shade. Thin covers for the loungers and towels were provided and a handy pool bar was there for refreshments. Whilst there were many ramps about the hotel site and lifts to the bedrooms, the breakfast terrace and pool could only be reached by 18 and 25 steps respectively, so anyone with mobility issues should check with Blue Cruise or the hotel that their needs can be accommodated. We would definitely stay here again when we return to explore more of this delightful and interesting part of Turkey, but we would probably book B&B next time so we could take advantage of the many restaurants in the locality.
