Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir

I particularly like the special birthday treatment. Many thanks to the staff for the lovely attention

Central location, excellent facilities to relax and good parking options.

The outdoor pool closes too early, could stay open a bit longer especially during summers when days are longer. The procedure to connect to the wifi should be clarified at check in since I was unaware that registration is required to connect to the wifi and I was not informed while checking in.

Clean, spacious, pool was very good.

Checked in at reception. Got told I had to pay £350 up front for possible extras that I might use at the hotel. The room was already paid for. I said I don’t want possible extras I said I’ll just pay for something if I use it. Got told you have to pay this amount it’s hotel procedure or else you can’t check in. I couldn’t believe it. I’d already paid for the room. This really annoyed me so handed over £350 in cash as didn’t want to use my card. If I didn’t have the money I don’t know what would have happened.

We had a garden room suite (bedroom with living room and 1.5 baths) and the rest of our party and two city view rooms. All the rooms were clean, spacious, and comfortable (except for the insane noise). We booked the garden view rooms on the false impression that it would be quiet. Alas, they have DJ parties on weekends that’s not disclosed anywhere. Instead the hotel website claims the rooms are soundproof.

We arrived on a Saturday evening, we walked into our allegedly “soundproof” suite and were greeted with the most annoying rave music with a hardcore bass beat that could not be drowned out by my excellent ear plugs. Imagine you’re in a club/rave party, that was the noise level in our room. This never ending bass beat went on until midnight. It was impossible to get any rest. We asked for a room change but the manager could not accommodate it (she did offer a regular room not facing the garden) —unbelievably irritating and there’s no compensation of any sort for this. No breakfast, no extra water, or even a beer. Cost of the room was almost $500/night, high for Izmir). We did not book this hotel to be hammered with a bass beat in our suite (a true wtf situation).