Antalya's Huma Elite Hotel: Your Dream Turkish Escape Awaits!
Antalya's Huma Elite Hotel: My Turkish Dream (and occasional nightmare!) - A Brutally Honest Review
Alright, folks, buckle up. You're about to get the real deal on the Huma Elite Hotel in Antalya. Forget the glossy brochure – this is my experience, imperfections and all. I went in with sky-high expectations, dreaming of a Turkish escape bathed in sunshine and luxury. Did I get that? Well… mostly. Let's dive in, shall we?
First Impressions (and the Struggle for Accessibility)
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. This is a tricky one. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, and they list the elevator. But… the devil's in the details, right? I didn't require super specific accommodations, but I noticed narrow hallways and a general feeling that it wasn't specifically designed for ease. So, a mixed bag here. They tried, bless their hearts, but there's room for improvement.
Check-in… or the Art of the Turkish Welcome (and the Wait)
The 24-hour Front desk is a huge plus. But that doesn't always translate to swift service. Check-in was… well, let's just say it involved more chit-chat and smiling than I'm used to. The staff were super friendly – genuinely so – but things moved at a glacial pace. I could have sworn I saw a tumbleweed roll through the lobby. Eventually, though, I got my key and a promise of a "wonderful stay." (More on that later.) Contactless check-in/out was also listed, but I'm not sure if it actually worked, because still they have to check the reservation information on the computer and ask the identity of the guest.
The Room: My Little Slice of (Mostly) Paradise
My room! Oh, the room. The Air conditioning worked like a charm, which was a godsend in the Antalya heat. I had a lovely view, a comfortable bed, and all the usual suspects: hair dryer, in-room safe, complimentary tea (massive win!). But… and there's always a "but," isn't there? The soundproofing wasn't the best. I could hear the revelry from the late-night pool parties (more on that later). And the lighting? A bit… dim, to be honest. Made it tough to read. The bathroom was pretty standard, but the water pressure was amazing. Plus, the slippers were a nice touch. It's okay overall.
Internet: Bless the Free Wi-Fi (and the occasional rage-quit)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is a HUGE deal for me, a digital nomad who needs to stay connected. The internet was generally decent, but here's where I nearly lost my mind: it would occasionally drop out. Seriously, mid-video call. Mid-crucial work thing. I'd be sitting there, staring at a buffering wheel, muttering curses under my breath. Still, free is free, and most of the time, it worked. The Internet Access – LAN option was also there, which is a great option for those who are more comfortable, but I did not try it.
The Food: A Culinary Rollercoaster
Okay, the grub. Let's be honest, this is where things get interesting.
Breakfast: The Breakfast [buffet] was a feast for the eyes. All kinds of things, from Asian breakfast to Western breakfast. I loaded my plate with feta cheese, fresh tomatoes, olives, and all the bread. The pastries were amazing! Buffet in restaurant was the place where the main food was, however, some options existed in the other restaurants.
Dinner: I tried the A la carte in restaurant and the buffet and it was okay. The International cuisine in restaurant was good, but nothing blew me away. The salad in restaurant. The Soup in restaurant was great. There were also Desserts in restaurant, but I wasn't a big fan. I think they still need improvement.
Room service: The 24-hour Room service was also a lifeline at times. You know, when you just crave a burger at 2 AM!
Things to do: Relaxation, and Maybe Some Regret…
The Pool: The Swimming pool was stunning. With a Pool with a view, it was perfect! The sun loungers were plentiful, and the atmosphere was generally chill. The Poolside bar was clutch for cocktails.
Spa: I splurged on a massage.Massage, and it was pure bliss. The Sauna and Steamroom were also fantastic, but I didn't try the Body scrub or Body wrap.
Fitness Center: I'm not a gym person, but I peeked in the Fitness center, and it looked well-equipped.
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID-19 Factor
Okay, let's get real about COVID. I was genuinely impressed with their efforts. They had all kinds of measures in place. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, and they did Daily disinfection in common areas. Rooms sanitized between stays. The food service adhered to the Safe dining setup protocols. They had lots of things.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"
They offered a ton of services, but how well did they truly delivered?
- Daily housekeeping: Top-notch. My room was always spotless.
- Laundry service: Did use it and It was expensive.
- Concierge: Very helpful.
- Currency exchange: Convenient, if a bit pricier than the local banks.
- Gift/souvenir shop: The usual tourist tat.
- Doorman: Always a friendly face.
- Elevator: Yes, of course!
- Car park [free of charge] Yes!
- Airport transfer: Easy and efficient.
Things I loved:
- The Staff - universally friendly and helpful, even when things got crazy.
- The Location- close to the action but still felt peaceful.
- The Pool. Need I say more?
Things I didn't love:
- The occasional patchy internet.
- The noise levels (especially at night).
- The slightly inconsistent food quality.
My Final Verdict:
Would I recommend the Huma Elite Hotel? Yes… with caveats. It's a solid choice, particularly for the price. The location, the pool, and the friendly staff make it a winner. But be prepared for the occasional glitch. Don't expect perfection, and you'll be fine. Embrace the Turkish spirit of laid-back hospitality and remember to breathe and enjoy the beauty of Antalya, but don't just take my word for it; check it out for yourself and experience the chaos!
Unbelievable Croatia Escape: Room 2 at House Štefanac, Dreznik Grad!
Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because we're about to embark on a messy, glorious, and probably slightly sunburned adventure at the Huma Elite Hotel in Antalya, Turkey. This isn't your sterile, cookie-cutter itinerary. This is real. This is me, you, and a whole lotta Turkish Delight (hopefully).
Day 1: Arrival, Expectations, and the Great Pool Fiasco
Morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Wake up. Try to remember why I thought it was a good idea to book a red-eye. Realize I'm starving. Suffer through two hours of airport purgatory. Gaze longingly at a Duty-Free Toblerone. Finally, LAND! The Antalya airport – a glorious, air-conditioned oasis.
Mid-Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Taxi ride to Huma Elite. Hotel lobby: swanky, marble-y, a little too much gleam for my bleary eyes. Check-in: smooth (phew). Room: "Sea view, Premium!" - I'm expecting the Mediterranean, I'm getting a distant glimpse of…the pool. Decide that's acceptable.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Hotel buffet. Oh. My. God. The sheer magnitude of food. Mountains of mezes, glistening olives, kebabs galore (I don't know what half of it is, but I'm in). Plate one: a cautious reconnaissance. Plate two: all inhibitions abandoned, attack mode activated.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): The Great Pool Fiasco. This deserves its own section. I envisioned myself, perfectly bronzed, sipping a cocktail, looking sophisticated. Reality? I spent the better part of an hour trying to find a sun lounger that wasn't already claimed by a towel-wielding German tourist. I wrestled a cushion from a particularly aggressive seagull. Finally, I got one. Then, disaster. I leaned back and managed to completely soak my favorite book (a dog-eared paperback of a detective novel). The water was freezing. My "sophisticated" cocktail – promptly spilled, all over my face. Cried for about five minutes. Pulled myself together and managed to catch a glimpse of someone who had a bottle of wine. That's what it's all about!
Late Afternoon/Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Shower (much needed). Explore the hotel. Find a tiny, deserted gym – perfect for my post-buffet guilt. Decide to skip it. Find a bar. Drink a suspiciously strong Turkish beer. Stumble back to the room. Collapse.
Day 2: Ruins, Rumbles, and Remembering to Pack Pants
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Wake up. Regret every decision from the night before. Breakfast buffet round two (slightly less enthusiastic this time). Head to the ancient city of Perge, which is about a 20-minute taxi ride away, with our bags on our shoulders. Seriously, it felt like something out of Indiana Jones! So. Cool. Marvel at the ruins, feel a little bit like a history person, but also completely lost, the sign were almost impossible to understand. Realize I forgot to pack any trousers.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Find a small, rustic cafe near Perge. Best lahmacun (Turkish pizza) of my life. Seriously, this place was a gem, felt like a local.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Antalya old town. Explore the quaint streets, the narrow alleyways, and the hidden courtyards. Fall in love with the pastel-colored buildings. Go to the bazaar and feel completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff! Haggling: a sport I'm not particularly good at. Came back with a fake Rolex, some Turkish delight and a slightly suspicious-looking silk scarf.
Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner at a seafood restaurant overlooking the harbor. The view was breathtaking, but the sea bass was… well, it made me miss my mum's cooking. Overpriced. Had a really good time anyhow.
- Late Night (9:00 PM onwards): Stroll along the harbor. Watch the sunset (more like the twilight, the sun went down a while ago). Discover a lively bar with a DJ playing Turkish pop music. Dance, badly, with a group of very tolerant locals.
Day 3: Beach Bliss (and a Near-Death Experience with a Jet Ski)
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Beach time! Head to Lara Beach. The sand is hot. The water is crystal clear. I spend about an hour just staring at the ocean, feeling a sense of pure, unadulterated peace.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Seaside restaurant. Try to order something light and healthy. Fail miserably. End up with a huge plate of grilled calamari and a side of chips.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Jet Ski Mayhem. Okay, this is where things get interesting. I, in my infinite wisdom, decided to rent a jet ski. I have never driven a jet ski before. Within five minutes, I'm going way too fast, I'm veering wildly off course, and I'm pretty sure I almost ran over a small, confused-looking family. I swear, there was a moment where I thought, "This is it. This is how I die." Managed to return the jet ski (mostly) in one piece, but my heart was pounding in my chest for a good hour afterwards. Definitely a memorable experience.
Late Afternoon/Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Post-jet ski nerves require a strong Turkish coffee and an immediate recovery. Soak in the pool (safely this time). Dinner at the hotel's Turkish restaurant. Absolutely delicious. Finally, some good Turkish food!
Day 4: Pamukkale Day Trip (and a Lesson in Humidity)
Early Morning (6:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Wake up, not a lot, because the day trip to Pamukkale is a long one, which is 300km away from Antalya. Then, get onto the bus and sleep on the journey.
Midday (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Arrive in Pamukkale. The travertines (terraces formed by mineral-rich water) are stunning, breathtaking. The crowds, however, are less stunning. Fight my way through the throngs of tourists. Take a million photos. Slip on the wet rocks (classic).
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Explore the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis, which is right next to Pamukkale. Learn a lot about history, and immediately forget most of it. Feel the humidity, because it's a humid, humid day. Drink approximately 10 bottles of water.
Late Afternoon/Evening (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Bus ride back to Antalya. The most exhausting thing ever. Sleep for the entire trip. Arrive back at the hotel utterly shattered. Order room service. Fall asleep watching TV.
Day 5: Departure (and a Slightly Sad Farewell)
Morning (8:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Last breakfast buffet. Say goodbye to the mountains of food. Pack. Try to fit everything in. Fail. Buy a bigger suitcase at the airport.
Late Morning/Afternoon (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM): A spot of last-minute souvenir shopping. Panic-buy more Turkish delight (because, obviously). Get a final glimpse of the Mediterranean. Head to the airport.
Departure (2:00 PM onwards): Flight home. Reflect on the adventure. Promise to come back to Turkey. Immediately start planning the next trip.
And that, my friends, is the Huma Elite Hotel itinerary. A little rough around the edges, a little chaotic, but always authentic. It's the kind of trip that leaves you exhausted, exhilarated, and already dreaming of the next one. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go find some Turkish delight…
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Alright, Let's Get Real: Your Huma Elite Hotel Questions Answered (Mostly!)
Is the Huma Elite Hotel *really* as good as it looks in the photos? I mean, come on...
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: filters. Yes, the photos are gorgeous, all shimmering pools and bronzed bodies. The truth? It's *mostly* as good. Think of it like this: that Instagram filter smooths out the imperfections, but the underlying beauty? That's all you. The pool *is* sparkling, the beach *is* sandy. BUT (and this is a big but), sometimes the sun loungers are a little… fiercely contested. You’ll need to develop your inner hawk to snag one with a decent view. Honestly? Worth the effort. The view from the rooftop bar? Chef's kiss. Just don't expect *perfection*. Perfection is boring, right? Embrace the slight wonkiness, the occasional screaming kid (it's a family friendly place!), the slightly overcooked kebab. It all adds to the… *charm*.
What's the food situation like? Are we talking bland buffet hell?
Food, my friends, is crucial. And thankfully, Huma Elite doesn't disappoint. The buffet? It's a *buffet*, so temper your expectations. You'll have your typical suspects – sad looking pastries (though the *baklava* is actually decent), a questionable 'American breakfast' station (avoid, unless you yearn to taste despair), and everything in between. But here’s the secret: they also have some seriously delicious a la carte dining options. The Ottoman restaurant? Absolutely worth it. I ordered the lamb shank one night, and I swear, I almost licked the plate clean. It was THAT good. My only regret was not ordering two! And look, yes, I *did* witness a minor (and I mean *minor*) food poisoning incident in the buffet – a hastily consumed potato salad, I suspect – but hey, it happens. Bring some Imodium, just in case. Better safe than sorry when you're on vacation. Besides, the Turkish coffee is STRONG enough to cure almost anything… and the waiter, bless his heart, brought me a free dessert to apologize. Talk about customer service!
Is it a family-friendly hotel? I need to know before I commit to earplugs.
Oh, it's *definitely* family-friendly. Think kids club, splash pools with inflatable dinosaurs, and a general atmosphere of cheerful chaos. If you're allergic to children's squeals of delight, this might not be your paradise. Personally? I enjoy the background noise. It reminds me I'm *alive*. But I also brought noise-canceling headphones, just in case. There's a quiet pool, which is a godsend. Seriously, a lifesaver. And the staff are incredibly patient and kind, which is a testament to their superhuman abilities. I saw one poor waiter juggle five plates of food while simultaneously dodging a rogue water balloon. Impressive! So, bring the kids (or embrace the joy of their presence) or bring your noise-canceling headphones. You've been warned, but it's ultimately a manageable mix of relaxation and… well, let's call it "organized fun."
The beach! Spill the tea, what’s the beach situation?
The beach… oh, the beach. It's lovely. Sandy, the water is clear. The waves were the perfect height for a relaxing time. It was honestly one of the more serene beaches I've been to. Getting a sunbed there is another matter entirely. Don't be late. They vanish fast, snatched up by people with a remarkable sense of beach-bed-grabbing urgency. The sea is a bit rocky to get into though, watch your feet. But once you’re past that, bliss. The beach bar is a must-visit. They make a killer mojito. And you can order snacks right to your sunbed. I spent a whole afternoon reading a book there, occasionally gazing at the turquoise sea and sipping iced coffee. Pure heaven. Until a seagull tried to steal my sandwich. Those birds are relentless! So yeah, bring your sunglasses, your sunscreen, your book, and a healthy dose of vigilance against avian thieves.
Are there any good excursions or things to do nearby?
Yes! Oh, absolutely! Antalya itself is overflowing with things to do. You can take a boat trip along the coast, explore the ancient city of Perge (history buffs, rejoice!), wander through the charming old town, Kaleiçi, and (my personal favorite) haggle for souvenirs in the bustling markets. Be prepared to bargain – it's half the fun (and you'll probably save some money in the process!). I went on a jeep safari into the Taurus Mountains, and it was amazing. Bouncing around in a dusty jeep, the views were breathtaking. Just be prepared for some seriously bumpy roads! And the guides are… well, let's just say they love their music LOUD. But it's all part of the experience. Don't miss the opportunity to taste some authentic Turkish Delight. It's addictive. Speaking of addictive, the spa at Huma Elite is also really, really good. Treat yourself to a massage. You deserve it – after all that sunbathing and souvenir shopping… and haggling!
What's the Wi-Fi like? Because, you know, I have a life… online…
Okay, let's be brutally honest. The Wi-Fi is… variable. It's fine for checking emails and scrolling through Instagram, generally. However, don't expect to stream anything in HD, especially during peak times. It gets bogged down. I, admittedly, had a minor meltdown trying to upload a 4k video about my amazing Turkish breakfast (because clearly the world NEEDED to see my breakfast!). It just wasn’t happening. So, download your movies and shows beforehand. Embrace the occasional digital detox. And if you REALLY need to be connected 24/7, consider getting a local SIM card. Otherwise, just embrace the fact that you're on vacation. Who cares if the world doesn’t know what you are doing… exactly? You already know, and that’s the important part. Right?
Is Huma Elite worth the money? Lay it on me, straight.
Okay, here's the bottom line. Yes, Huma Elite is worth the money, *but*. It depends what you're looking for. If you’re after a budget getaway, probably not. If you want pure, unadulterated luxury, maybe look elsewhere (but prepare to pay a LOT more!). But for a solid, comfortable, well-located hotel with good facilities, friendly staff, and a generally pleasant atmosphere? Definitely. It's not *perfect*, but what is? The minor imperfections are easily overlooked when you're sitting by the pool, cocktail in hand, watching the sunset over the beautiful Antalya coast. It’s a good base to explore the region, recharge and have a great time. So, yeah, I'd recommend it.Travel Stay Guides
