What really happens when a Travel Counsellor goes on a hotel site visit?

For me, hotel site visits are one of the most valuable parts of being a Travel Counsellor, because when I recommend a hotel to a client, I want to know much more than what I can see in a brochure or on a website. I want to know what it actually feels like to be there. How does the hotel work? Who is it really suitable for? Which room would I recommend for a family? Where would I put a couple? Which area would suit someone looking for peace and quiet? Is the food genuinely good? What is the entertainment like? And perhaps most importantly, would I send my own family there?

After three nights at Anda Barut Collection, I can answer all of those questions with first-hand experience.

First impressions of Anda Barut Collection

Anda Barut Collection is located in Didim on Türkiye’s Aegean coast and is a beautifully designed ultra all-inclusive resort. One of the things that struck me almost immediately was the space. The hotel was around 80% occupied during our visit, but it genuinely didn't feel busy. There was space around the pools, space on the beach, space in the restaurants and, importantly, plenty of space to actually relax. And there is a lovely attention to detail throughout the property. Even the rooms have those little touches that make a difference.

The minibars are stocked with branded drinks, there is an espresso machine with pods, and we were welcomed with Prosecco and nibbles in our room.

Oh, and the hotel smells amazing!

These are the sorts of details you don't necessarily get from looking at photographs online, but they are exactly the things I want to know when I am recommending a hotel to a client.

Three hotel zones: Family, Community and Adults-Only

One of the things that makes Anda Barut Collection particularly interesting is the way the resort is divided into three distinct areas:

• Family Zone
• Community Zone
• Adults-Only Zone

During our site visit, we were able to experience all three areas and see the different pools and facilities. This is incredibly useful when matching the hotel to a client. A family looking for plenty of activities and entertainment has a very different requirement from a couple looking for somewhere peaceful and sophisticated. Rather than simply saying, “This hotel has an adults-only area,” I can actually explain where it is, what it feels like and why it could work for that particular client.

And that is the real value of a site visit.

Family holidays at Anda Barut Collection

For families, there is a huge amount going on. The Family Zone includes an impressive selection of pools and water activities, with water slides designed for different ages. So it isn't simply a case of having one enormous waterpark aimed at teenagers and adults. There are slides and water play options for younger children too.

And then there is the evening fairground, yes, there is actually a little fairground within the resort for the children to enjoy in the evening. It is such a fun addition to the family experience and another example of why seeing a resort in person matters.

Kids Club and childcare

The Kids Club caters for children aged 4 - 12, with different activities and programmes designed around different age groups. The published summer opening hours are 10am to 11pm, although operating dates and times can vary seasonally, so I would always confirm the current arrangements at the time of booking. There are plenty of activities for children to get involved in, alongside dedicated spaces and evening entertainment.

There is also a separate offering for teenagers, giving older children somewhere to socialise and enjoy activities aimed more specifically at their age group. 

For families travelling with babies and toddlers, there are also baby-focused facilities available. And if Mum and Dad fancy an adults-only evening, professional babysitting can be arranged for an additional charge.

That means parents can enjoy an adults-only dinner, evening entertainment or simply some time together without having to spend the entire holiday in family mode.

For me, that is a really useful option and exactly the sort of practical detail I want to know before recommending a hotel to a family.

The rooms: from couples to three-bedroom villas

One of the most important parts of our site visit was seeing the different accommodation categories. We didn't simply see one show room. We toured the property and viewed a range of room types, suites and villas so that we could understand which accommodation works for different types of travellers.

There are rooms suitable for couples and smaller families, swim-up options and larger accommodation, including three bedroom villas with private pools and gardens.

That means there is plenty of flexibility for families, groups and multigenerational holidays. And this is exactly the information I want to have when a client contacts me. If you tell me that you are travelling with grandparents, two children and want everyone to have space, I can look beyond simply finding you a room that sleeps six.

I can think about how you will actually use the space.

Dining at Anda Barut Collection

And then there is the food...The hotel has seven a la carte restaurants, alongside its main dining options, with plenty of choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had the opportunity to experience the food during our stay and I was genuinely impressed. The main buffet restaurant is probably the best buffet restaurant I have experienced in a resort.

And what I particularly liked was the flexibility.

À la carte dining isn't simply something reserved for dinner. You can also enjoy breakfast and lunch from a menu, with dishes cooked fresh to order, as well as dinner. Other than one of the à la carte restaurants, there is no requirement to pre-book, although reservations may be recommended during busier periods.

And because this is an ultra all-inclusive resort, premium drinks are included too.

A hotel that works for adults too

Although there is a huge amount for families to enjoy, Anda Barut isn't simply a family resort. The Adults-Only Zone offers a completely different atmosphere, with its own facilities and pool areas. There are also two beaches, including an adults-only beach.

For couples, the combination of the adults-only zone, premium dining, extensive drinks offering, spa facilities and evening entertainment creates a very different holiday experience from the family areas. And that is what makes the resort particularly interesting.

It can work for different types of travellers without everyone necessarily having the same holiday experience.

Spa and wellness

The spa facilities are another highlight. Treatments are available at an additional cost, but guests can use the spa facilities themselves.

These include:

• Sauna
• Steam rooms
• Ice facilities
• Waterfalls
• Showers
• Ice-cold bucket showers
• Fire and ice experiences

There is also a surprisingly large gym for a resort, with plenty of equipment, fantastic views and what appeared to be brand-new equipment during our visit. There is even a saltwater indoor infinity pool and jacuzzi within the gym and wellness area.

So if keeping active is important to you when you travel, this isn't a hotel where the gym feels like an afterthought.

Entertainment and daily activities

The evening entertainment was another pleasant surprise. We're talking full production shows rather than the sort of entertainment you watch simply because you've got nothing else to do. The performers were incredibly talented and the production quality was genuinely impressive.

There is also a really useful feature that I loved.

Once you connect to the hotel's Wi-Fi, you receive a daily whatsapp schedule showing what is happening around the resort that day. So you can see everything from fitness activities and daytime entertainment through to the evening programme. It means you don't have to spend your holiday wondering what's going on.

Exploring beyond the resort

A great holiday isn't always just about the hotel. One of the things I particularly value about a site visit is the opportunity to experience the destination as well as the resort. During our visit to Didim, we had the opportunity to visit the Temple of Apollo, one of the area's most fascinating historical sites. Walking around the ancient ruins was a brilliant contrast to the luxury and modern facilities of Anda Barut Collection. It was fascinating to learn more about the area's history and see an important part of the destination for ourselves.

We also spent time exploring Didim town and the seafront, getting a feel for the area and seeing what there is to do beyond the hotel.

Because when I recommend a destination, I don't just want to know whether the hotel is good. I want to know what there is to see and do beyond the resort too.

For clients who want the option of combining a relaxing all-inclusive holiday with a little history, culture and exploring, that wider destination knowledge can make a real difference when choosing the right trip.

Why hotel site visits matter

This is probably the most important part of the whole trip for me. When you book a holiday through a Travel Counsellor, you're not simply getting someone who can search for a hotel. You're getting someone who can draw on first-hand experience.

I've walked the resort.

I've seen the rooms.

I've eaten the food.

I've used the facilities.

I've experienced the entertainment.

I've explored the destination.

I've asked the questions.

I've seen the different areas.

And I've worked out which types of traveller each part of the hotel is likely to suit, I can draw on what I've personally seen and experienced.

And after three nights at Anda Barut Collection?

Yes. I'm definitely going to bring my own family here. I'd probably twin it with a few nights in Istanbul first too.

A huge thank you to Gary and Workham for hosting us and giving us the opportunity to experience Anda Barut Collection first-hand. If you're considering Türkiye for your next holiday and want to know whether Anda Barut Collection could work for you, your family or your group, get in touch.

I'll happily talk you through what I saw, which areas I think would suit you and which room categories I'd be looking at for your particular trip.