Palmetto Beach Club Reviews

Mr & Mrs Bentley from London

My wife and I just got back yesterday from a 1 week holiday at the Palmetto Beach Club. It was so enjoyable we felt you deserved some detailed feedback !

We were uncertain about this holiday as the website pictures were a touch lacking and we had not done any dinghy sailing before. Our sailing experience has always been with larger yachts. But we were not disappointed. You are clearly not communicating the real value of the location and the friendly staff who run the Palmetto Beach Club. Yes “small is beautiful” but so is the idyllic location and genuine lack of commercialism to the place that makes it so relaxing and untouched. A “Little Turkish Secret” would be a much better description!

Our room was basic, but adequate for a couple planning to spend most of their time on the water. It was also kept clean each day with fresh linen. The bar area was excellent for socialising and we were always greeted with a welcome by the bar staff and restaurant manager when we took time out for a drink or two. Breakfast was Turkish style, no full English here. But by the end of the week I was converted to fresh water melon, hard boiled eggs and cheese to start the day. In the evening we were spoilt for choice when offered fresh seafood. This was put to the test one night when we requested off the main menu grilled Lobster Turkish style, that resulted in one of the best meals were have ever eaten ! Turbo the restaurant manager excelled himself in making sure we were well dined! We visited two other restaurants during our stay – both were disappointing in value and quality.

We had a personal welcome and farewell by the sailing team that made us feel quite special. Despite the age & fitness difference between us and them they handled and managed this very well during our stay. The sailing instructor team deserve recognition for their sincere interest in making sure we were a happy and safe during our stay. We also felt safe with them when taking to the water and appreciated the safety boat being nearby at all times. Tim Pritchard clearly has sound leadership and customer service skills –  and his team all have specialist areas of expertise that allowed us to pick their brains on sailing technique and improvement. The water is very warm and clear so a daily snorkel and swim was our first task of the day to wake up and prepare for sailing instruction. It should be noted that a good wind is only really possible during the afternoons. Mornings are better for kayaking.  A few one-person kayaks would have been welcome, rather than the 2 person version.

As for potential improvements:

• Update your website with some better photos. Have attached some possibilities for your perusal.
• Clarify with your public and employer  insurance cover exactly how far off the beach you are covered for and consider extending the buoyed safe sailing area for those guests who are clearly able to handle extended cruising in light winds, whilst remaining in sight of the safety boat.
• More organised group activities under safety supervision on the water later in the day. Extended sailing beyond the safety area for all types of dinghy’s, and kayaks, maybe.
• Some sailing theory lessons or hot tips early in the morning – with the instructors showing off their skills on the water.
• Live music in the evening. Promoting this to locals and other visitors would make sure the increased bar venue taken would cover the cost of the band.
• Some hammock style beach beds located in the shallow water. The ones owned next door were very popular.
• Have some bicycles for guests who want to explore the coastline more for recommended snorkelling spots, or simply travel to the other side of the bay.

Our only criticism was the use of Monarch Airlines as your chosen flight charter who have a poor reputation for offering everything at a price- including headphones and comfortable seating. Thanks for including the in-flight meal – many passengers with other holiday operators starved.

Lastly, our 2.5 hour return bus ride to the airport arrived far too early. We had to leave the beach club at 9.00am and wait 1.5 hrs at the airport before we could even check in. A long day at the airport.

Overall were very impressed with this holiday package and feel keen to book another week at the same time next year. The right location, but just as important, the right type of staff to assist us and made our stay so enjoyable. So do give them our sincere thanks.

All the best, we will be touch shortly to book up for next year.