This was our second visit to the Xanadu the first being in August 2010. On arrival at 5.30am we were quickly checked in with no problems at all. The private transfer from Antalya does make the transfer so much more pleasant, especially after a night flight! Like the previous year we were in bungalows, this time near the secret garden pool. I thought this would be quote noisy at breakfast time but this wasn't the case at all. If we were to visit again we would request a first floor bungalow room and away from the entrance. That said the air conditioning drowned out any noise and we slept really well.
Previous reports speak of food poisoning and there was definitely something in our first week there. For fish lovers I had the smoked fish in the Russian restaurant and wasn't ill. Although most of the a la cartes border the main restaurant we still felt as though we were well away from it. Last year we didn't try any until day 11 and then wished we'd tried them earlier. This year we tried all but Turkish and enjoyed them all, I would say Russian was our least favourite but if you are there for 2 weeks I would say try them all.
Main restaurant food is very good, I don't think the food in the heated trays was as hot as last year but we tended to have the grilled meat or fish when we ate there as it really is nice and no end of salads etc to go with them. Don't miss the Tuesday lunchtime BBQ party as that really is something different.
There are three swimming pools, we used the antique pool each day and managed to get sun beds at 10am. Some people do get up early to get the beds in a particular place but there are plenty of beds in all places either by the pools or by the trees. The hotel is built within a nature reserve and is beautiful with birds, tortoises, squirrels all around.
We aren't beach people but many people did use the beach and there were ample beds available. There was a lovely breeze but it is deceiving as sitting on the end of the jetty for ten minutes resulted in burnt legs.
Make sure you have travel insurance as all reports regarding the cost of medical treatment are accurate. We had two medical emergencies whilst there, both needing hospital treatment, and had bills of 850 Euro. People with ear infections were being charged 275 euro by the hotel doctor and regularly given drips! The Thomas Cook rep did tell us that they regularly over prescribe but you can refuse anything you don't believe you need!! Despite being treated at the local hospital the hotel doctors charges were part of the overall bill and he charged 116 euro for turning up and taking blood pressure and 160 euro for turning up and putting a bandage on a dislocated shoulder. There are no published rates so beware. We did meet with the guest services manager who has asked us to report back to him so it can be fully investigated. The doctor is essentially ripping UK visitors and their insurance companies off. If you do for whatever reason end up at the hospital make sure you get a certificate to fly as we weren't given one and for an awful moment at the airport thought we weren't going anywhere! The hotel guest service staff were extremely efficient and friendly, nothing too much trouble.
The entertainment team aren't particularly brilliant and all the shows were the exact same as last year but possibly poorer quality. They don't tend to get involved with things going on. Dancing is the special surprise at amphitheatre events, not particularly impressive!
The hotel is closing from November to March for a refurb so it swill be interesting to know what changes. Some people have said the hotel is looking tired but we found it ok. Contrary to previous reviews we found the grounds clean and tidy. The maid service was excellent. Service at the bars and by the pool wasn't quite as good as last year but service in the main restaurant was improved, we were always able to get a table. Families bigger than four struggled more for bigger tables.
Despite our medical problems we enjoyed it more then last year and would definitely return.