Aska Lara Resort & Spa

Honest Review of Aska Lara - Not a 5-Star Experience I’ve just returned from a week-long stay at Aska Lara with my partner. While the hotel has some positives, there were also a number of negatives that make it hard to consider this a true 5-star experience. Staff: The staff were generally helpful, with a standout being Omar at the Garden Bar, who was fantastic. Some staff at Wet N Wild had roller skates, which was a fun gimmick, but it seemed like they were either ignoring us or didn’t serve us, so we had to go up to the bar ourselves. I'm not sure if this was only for certain premium guests. There’s a lady outside the main restaurant at a podium, but she didn’t speak much English and couldn’t answer any of our questions. Plus, she stands next to a sign that says ‘do not leave anything here,’ but guests left their inflatables there anyway, making the sign pretty redundant… Arrival: The arrival experience wasn’t glamorous at all. No fancy check-in areas like other 5-star hotels I’ve stayed in. It was fairly smooth, and we got a golf buggy to our room (3506 in the riverside annex). The annex building was about 200m away over a bridge, which made the whole experience feel a little less luxurious. You’re overlooking wasteland and a swamp. There is a tiny pool there in the shade of the tower block. Room: Our first impression of the room was far from ideal. As soon as we entered, the warm air in the room reeked of cigarette smoke. The air conditioning wasn’t on, and the windows were wide open. This was especially problematic because my partner has asthma, so she started coughing immediately. I called reception, and they sent someone to spray air freshener and told us the smoke must have blown in from the windows. I wasn’t convinced by this explanation, as there were burn marks on the curtains and an ashtray by the TV, suggesting previous guests had smoked in the room. There was also paint on the door, which is not what I expect from a 5-star hotel. The room felt very low budget and unfinished. Considering people pay extra for a family room, it was poor. After complaining, the reception staff offered us two options: downgrade to a smaller room in the same Riverside annex or pay €50 PER NIGHT to move to the main hotel. Given that the entire riverside annex smelled of smoke, we opted to move to the main hotel, which felt unfair since the issue wasn’t our fault so why should we be paying to move. After emailing EasyJet Holidays and the hotel manager directly, we managed to negotiate the upgrade price down to €30per night. The negotiation process was easy. He said 50€, I said 30€. He said yes. I was disappointed that this upgrade wasn’t a set in stone price, which suggests it could have been done for free if necessary. It also seems like this is a regular issue, as other guests have mentioned having to pay to move rooms in their reviews—almost like a scam. On the Facebook page and trip advisor, this issue is a regular review. Pool Area: Wet N Wild was one of the better parts of the hotel, offering a fun atmosphere with lots of kids, inflatables, and a generally lively vibe. However, the ‘relaxing’ pool at the main hotel didn’t live up to expectations. While it was quieter and there was no music, the noise from kids was still present, and the pool was still filled with inflatables. If they want it to be truly relaxing, they should ban inflatables in the main pool and reserve them for Wet N Wild. There were also the typical sunbed wars, with people putting towels down at the crack of dawn to reserve spots. I even saw people reserving beds after midnight when they hadn’t even been to bed yet! I did speak to staff poolside and at guest relations to move items left unattended, but they refused, saying they weren’t allowed to. Restaurants & Food: On a positive note, the food was generally very good, with a wide variety on offer. The Garden Bar’s fish and chips was delicious and very British. The portion sizes at the snack bars were a bit on the small side, but you could always order extra. The halloumi at breakfast was excellent, and the noodles at the grill section were tasty. Starbucks was fine, but the queue was always long, and there was only one staff member working at any one time, which made it a bit frustrating, especially when kids were ordering refreshers (flavored water) instead of serving adults getting their coffee. There was also loads of wasps around the bar areas. Beach bar and pool bar especially. They were hoovering around the sugary syrups and slushy machines. A simple electric wasp catcher would sort this issue. Entertainment: The daytime entertainment (aqua aerobics) was quite loud, and the nighttime entertainment at Wet N Wild left a lot to be desired. We attended a Michael Jackson tribute act, but the performer didn’t actually sing; he just mimed and danced to the music, which was disappointing. The entertainment didn’t start until 9:30pm, and after spending the whole day at Wet N Wild, it felt like a hassle to go back to the room to change and then catch a bus all the way back to Wet N Wild for the show. The Panorama Bar was a better option for a more chilled-out vibe in the evening. The gym was very good and high tech. Beach: The beach was nice but very busy during the day. It was packed with sunbeds, which made it hard to find a peaceful spot. It’s not really somewhere you’d want to spend the entire day, but it’s decent for a quick dip or a change of scenery. Avoid the shops in the Lower floor of the hotel. They can and do charge whatever they want. Some quoting 50€ for a tshirt. If you go out the hotel and turn left, there’s plenty of shops selling the same T-shirts for 10€. Overall, Aska Lara isn’t a 5-star hotel. There are some redeeming qualities, like the food and the Wet N Wild pool area, but the issues with the room, service, and overall lack of luxury really hold it back. For the price (over £1200 each), I expected a lot more. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone expecting a true 5-star experience.

❌AVOID spend your hard earned money elsewhere UTTERLY DISAPPOINTING!!! ❌ Honest yet long review 👍 Arrival - No real welcome or information yet swift check in! Bell boy took luggage -Not happy with few £ sterling! Room ok 👍 As expected 👍 Balcony tiny uncomfortable for family of 4! 👎 Inland view - OMG depressing!! (Residential tower blocks of flats with a derelict swimming pool 😪 🤬 Was so late had to get the children to bed after travelling!! When spoke to reception first thing in the morning unhelpful stating that’s your booking,it is what it is!! Was suggested to pay €400 + to upgrade 😵 Still not happy I seen Jet 2 rep She was more understanding & polite try again said your booking is correct!! I was aware I had an inland view but come on I had paid thousands of £s to expect that!! The cost of an upgraded room was reduced massively to €90 & was left with no choice to pay it to move rooms with a better view!!🤬 Hotel pool fine & lifeguard present 👍 however no entertainment goes on around pool not even music!!😪 Subbed are a real problem lots reserved all day & not used until late afternoon!!👎 Wet & wild park is walkable if you’re prepared to cross a very busy road!! Yet there is a shuttle bus that runs approx every 10mins all day & into the evening!! 👍 Sunbeds down there same issue reserved all day some not used & it was impossible to get any near the water to supervise the children what ever time of day it was!! On occasions not being in the water with them we had to stand or sit on a wall!!👎 Beach 🏖️ lovely featured entrance,plenty of beds,lifeguard. Sea was warm but be careful waves were choppy.👍 Entertainment programme is shared everyday & runs all day & night at the wet & wild area 👍 Heads up night shows are fine yet you are seated on grass area you’ll need bug 🐜 spay 👍 Food- first impressions presentation seems good ,plentiful & a variety.👍 ❌However if you have food allergies or a preferred diet vegetarian or vegan AVOID ❌ My son has serious food allergies to milk,egg& nut & is Anaphylactic This was stated on the booking,I had emailed the hotel before hand & reassured all would be ok!! 👍 What a shambles that was… I was given a card to give to chef with his allergens on in English & Turkish yet they looked clueless 🤷‍♀️ We tried to navigate it ourselves using the QR codes (which were a god sent) 👍 However with his limited diet & preferences there was very little he could have (fries,sweetcorn & cucumber) 😪 Following day guest relations did try helping together we sourced breaded chicken strips👍 Yet I had to stare at what session I wanted them & a time! 👎 This proved such an inconvenience to us we were on holiday -there should be no routine. 😪 (Why aren’t this option available to all children every session everyday? Most children love them & they are none the wiser they don’t contain milk.)🤷‍♀️ For my other son with no allergies children’s options were very limited & he managed chicken nuggets just twice in a week!! No fish fingers,dippers,pizza or wraps etc 😪 We were restricted to eat at main restaurant as we were told ‘No can serve’ on few occasions at the wet & wild when shown the allergen card!👎 No vegan/dairy free ice cream 🍦 available with just 1 option of an ice lolly (with no milk)🤬 Just not good enough in my opinion I’ve paid exactly the same for this holiday as everyone else but denied food & deserts!! 🤬 Restaurant very busy,staff are clearly working hard 👍however there is no Oder in there just chaos!! Another huge worry is the food is never hot always luke warm -it’s dangerous ❌😪 there is one microwave to use -yet thousands of guests & parents using it to warm milk or Babies & little ones. 4 days into our holiday my husband then fell unwell 🤒 with stomach cramps,fever & severe diarrhoea we strongly believe it was food poisoning related!! 😭💔 The hotel wanted to call doctor,open a case & delayed our return home 🏠 which wasn’t happening if we could help it!! We found as week went on it got busier & standards of hygiene & cleanliness dropped significantly!👎 The inside of the hotel is in need of a huge refurbishment Cleaning rooms- beds not changed,sheets just made pretty,balcony not swept for entire week dirty cups left!! 👎 Fridge & towels stocked daily 👍 Never ever have we been on holiday and are so relieved to be home,to work hard all year to make this happen look forward to a summer holiday as a family & to feel like this is totally unacceptable in my opinion!! 😭👎🤬 You advertise as 4* + ❌ & outside main entrance is a plaque with 5* HOW????? ❌ Aska Lara we will never return or recommend anyone to visit you need to improve on such areas mentioned promptly & do us hard working families better!! With something stacked against us everyday we tried our hardest to make the most of our family holiday but can honestly say we couldn’t gel and like the place and set up!! 😪 We are deflated with our holiday experience this year 😭

With my review, I don't want to give the impression we did not have a good time, we did have a good time, but there were elements that for us would make it quite forgettable. Staff - We found all the staff throughout all the areas to be helpful, friendly and polite. Arrival - This was good. The hotel has a large reception area and we were processed quickly and smoothly. Room - We had upgraded to a River Suite, 1 bedroom which is one one of two blocks situated approximately a 4-5 minute walk from the main hotel building. The blocks are situated next to other, non-hotel blocks of flats, with the hotel ones looking a little like blocks of flats themselves. Firstly, the air-con in our room was off when we arrived meaning it was incredibly and uncomfortably hot when we got in and took quite a few hours to become comfortable. For a 5-star establishment, we would expect the rooms to be pre-conditioned and comfortable for guest arrival. We also found that in our room (room 2508), it was not a "suite", but simply two double rooms joined with a small hallway. No sofa or seating area as was depicted in the pictures which originally made us upgrade. Then there is the "River View". We felt this to be somewhat of an oversell. You do technically look at a river, but in reality, it is best described as a narrow, swampy backwater with rubbish in it next to a large, dirty scrubland which seems to be home to stray dogs with a large building site beyond. It's without doubt the ugliest outlook I have ever experienced in either or 4 or 5 star holiday hotel and so to sell it as a "River View" is extremely misleading. Have attached a photo (taken from the lift so not a great shot, but faces the same direction as the rooms). There are no balconies and whilst we were aware of this, we quickly realised it was a mistake, especially when you need to dry the swimming costumes, etc. That said, the rooms were very clean and were suitably made up each day and the mini-bar was also re-stocked daily. Pool Areas - There are pools in the main hotel complex itself, but the main pool areas along with the slides etc, are in their "Wet n' Wild" park about 400 metres from the hotel. The park is only for hotel guests. They provide regular shuttle buses and whilst I always walked, I never noticed significant queues for it. The walk does cross a busy, main road, so careful with the little ones. The park itself is excellent, with various pools, slide areas, young kiddy areas, private beach and pier. We were there at pretty much the busiest time of year and never experienced queues for the slides for any more than a couple of minutes, if that. However, being there at this time of year meant that access to any sunbeds after 10-10:30am meant you didn't get one. They also have climbing walls, a zipline and various other experiences, plus also a small fairground ferris wheel and pirate ship, although these did not appear to open (day or night) for the entire week we were there. Restaurants - This is mainly served by a large buffet restaurant in the main hotel. They also have a number of "à la carte" restaurants which don't all open on the same day and for which there is a supplement as they are not included in the All Inclusive package. Generally, the per-head cost is between 20-40 euros depending on which restaurant you choose. There are also 3 main daily eating areas in Wet n' Wild, two offering table service. Generally, the food was very good. The biggest issue was the buffet. The food is served either side of a long walkway which also doubles up as the main thoroughfare from the restaurant entrance to the seating area - the result of which is a massive congestion issue with people trying to get in and out of the restaurant mixing with people trying to get food. The second issue was the struggle to find a table. Most nights it was a case of moving through the entire restaurant, out into an outside concourse with more tables (but no availability) and into a further structure (with mobile air-con units) to find somewhere to sit. Waiter service for drinks was hit and miss. Of the 6 breakfasts we had, on only two occasions did a waiter come over and offer tea/coffee/water, etc. Entertainment - the nightly shows were good. This does require going back down to Wet n' Wild again though which is where the main stage is. As per the restaurant and pool areas though, there is a struggle to find anywhere to sit to watch the show if you get there much past 8:30 - 9pm which is frustrating. Beach - this is of course not the hotel's fault and is just the geography, but if your young kids love the beach and the sea it may not be the best place to go (as in Lara Beach area). We have been to Lara Beach twice and the sea is quite rough and choppy, and my ten year old was out of her depth within about 10 metres from the shore so not great for those that want to splash about in the shallows. Cats - throughout the main hotel complex, there is an army of cats - which the kids all loved of course! We did see some younger ones essentially tormenting them, (picking them up inappropriately, hitting them with straws, etc). They do go into the restaurant areas which causes kids to run about chasing them. And whilst not too bad, we did see some cat feces around (I didn't see any inside)... I did indeed stand in some myself albeit it was powder dry from the sun. The cats did look clean though, none looked mangy or diseased and we were told they are looked after. On the whole, we enjoyed our week, and I know most other reviews give a full 5-stars, but with the accommodation, buffet experience and what felt like general over-crowding, it felt more like a 4-star experience and marred what could have been an amazing week.

Becareful They got 2 blocks 10 mins away from the main building which doesnt say on booking we were given our room from there have to take long walk

We are just home from a 10 day stay in Aska Lara. The location of the hotel is just outside of Lara beach probably a bit for to walk if you are with a young family taxi cost was 10euro. Drinks and service around the pool- most hotels now offer a drinks service with waiters/waitresses skating around serving drinks we never got served once in our whole 10 days- there is one guy I seen who seemed to tend to one area. To get a drink you have to que (never seen this before in a 5 star hotel) as there is only 1-2 staff behind each bar who offer drinks in paper cups. Unsure why paper as by the time you get back to your bed the cup is going soggy and disintegrating in your hand. Branded alcohol is hidden from view and you need to specifically request said brand ie state absolute vodka if that is your choice. Rooms where cleaned daily but the choice of bedding needs addressing, usually a sheet with a blanket however we got what can only be described as a kitchen roll feeling blanket that isn’t big enough to cover the bed once inside with no sheet. We requested another so we could have one each which was then removed the following day when the cleaner came in. Food- Good selection however weirdly always cold considering they are cooking it behind the hot plate. Dishes are played up which looks good but portion sizes are very small. (We are not big eaters, we are talking mouthful size) Kids selection was not the best. Deserts were good and the ice cream counters. Gym is on the small side for such a big hotel. In fact I feel all the space is on the small side for number of rooms. Pool area- set an alarm for Sunbeds to get a good spot. otherwise you end up on the grass areas near bushes that smell of cat poop/urine. People walk to the water park from 0600 to start reserving sunbeds and sometimes don’t even turn up until late afternoon or reserving beds around the hotel pool from 0700. The hotel has just hat multiple litters of kittens and although great for hotel guest and kids to coo over they are using bushes and hedges as toilets. Not great in the heat especially round the pool. On our first day we ended up in the water park near a hedge and had this smell on cat poop wafting all day to later find cat poo drying in the midday sun 5 m from our beds on the grass. Entertainment team work hard and put on some good shows again small handful of waiters going around the seating but hard to get a drink from them. One bar at the entertainment again 15min que for a drink however you do get a hard plastic cup for the evening. WiFi was good. Riverside suite isn’t worth the upgrade- as one of our family members found out. Massively out the way. No balcony in most rooms. Some staff are friendly most ain’t! Overall not a 5 star hotel as this is sold as. Bus to waterpark was handy but gets a bit annoying carting items up and down instead of all being in one complex. Electric cars for kids 15euro for 10 mins is excessive.