White Gold Hotel & Spa

I recently stayed at the White Gold Hotel & Spa in Turkey with my partner, and unfortunately, it was one of the most disappointing holidays we have ever experienced. We booked this hotel based on its advertised five-star rating, the all-inclusive package, and the promise of excellent facilities, including a pool and a water slide. Sadly, the reality was extremely different, and we left feeling frustrated, unwell, and financially worse off. From the moment we arrived, our experience began on a very negative note. The reception staff were extremely rude, unwelcoming, and unhelpful. After a long day of travel, we were hoping for a warm greeting and clear directions to our room, but instead, we were met with indifference and curt responses. This initial interaction immediately set the tone for what became a stressful week. When we entered our room, we were hit by a dreadful smell that made the space feel unclean and uncomfortable. Our mini fridge was warm and entirely unusable, making it impossible to keep drinks or water cold in the heat. Adding to our concerns, the paid room safe had been opened with a screwdriver by staff in a way that felt strange and unsettling. This made us constantly worry about the security of our belongings throughout our stay. We arrived just as dinner was still being served. Exhausted and hungry, we went to the dining area hoping for a meal, only to find food that was largely inedible. Flies were present both on the dishes and throughout the dining area, and none of the food was labelled, making it impossible to know what we were eating. The poor quality and lack of hygiene immediately made us question the standards of the hotel. One of the main reasons we booked an all-inclusive holiday was to enjoy the convenience of meals and drinks without additional expense. Unfortunately, the food and beverage options at White Gold Hotel & Spa were completely inadequate. The food quality was appalling. Many dishes were left out in high heat, often uncovered and infested with flies. The variety was extremely limited, and much of the food was unappetising or unsafe to eat. There were no labels on any of the dishes, making it impossible to identify what ingredients were in the food – a particular concern for anyone with dietary requirements. When we went to the bar, we were shocked to be told that cocktails would cost ten euros each despite the all-inclusive package we had paid for. The selection of drinks was extremely limited, with only four spirits available alongside a small choice of mixers. The bar and food situation meant that we were unable to use the all-inclusive package and instead had to eat out for every meal of the week, which cost £1,600 – entirely negating the purpose of booking an all-inclusive holiday. When we raised these issues at reception, we were told to wait for the Love Holidays representative the following morning. While the representative admitted the hotel “isn’t the best” and suggested we might transfer for an additional cost, no immediate solution was offered. Hoping things might improve, we stayed, but the situation only worsened. Our room was another major source of disappointment. The mattress was stained, the odour was unpleasant, and the room was cleaned only once every three days. Towels were also replaced every three days, which is completely inadequate in a hot climate where fresh towels are essential. We requested extra cleaning and asked for the floor to be swept, but this was ignored. Our repeated complaints about the broken mini fridge were dismissed, and our request to change rooms to one with a working fridge was rudely refused. As a result, we were forced to drink warm water throughout the stay. Sleeping conditions were extremely uncomfortable due to the stained mattress, and I ended up sleeping in my tracksuit every night. Combined with the unpleasant smell, poor housekeeping, and broken amenities, the room was wholly unsuitable for a relaxing holiday. The advertised hotel facilities were either misrepresented or poorly maintained. The swimming pool was never cleaned during our stay; only visible rubbish was occasionally removed. The water slide, prominently shown in promotional photos, did not exist, which was extremely disappointing. Food near the chef’s kitchen was left out in high heat, raising serious hygiene concerns. In addition, we experienced harassment from a staff member attempting to sell hammam massages. Even after we politely declined, he insisted and became rude, stating, “You come to our country, you have to have our experience.” This behaviour made us feel uncomfortable and pressured, which is not how any guest should feel on holiday. Overall, the facilities were run-down, poorly maintained, and misrepresented online. This created a stressful environment, leaving us feeling unwelcome and unsafe. Management and staff displayed rudeness, dismissiveness, and a lack of accountability throughout our stay. Requests for assistance, such as fixing the mini fridge, changing rooms, or cleaning the floor, were ignored. Complaints about food and hygiene were deflected onto the Love Holidays representative, rather than being addressed directly by the hotel. The overall approach of staff was indifferent and unhelpful, leaving us feeling undervalued and unwelcome. This unprofessional behaviour compounded the stress and frustration caused by the hotel’s other shortcomings. The consequences of the hotel’s failings extended beyond inconvenience. My partner suffered severe stomach issues, which left him unwell for most of the holiday, likely caused by unhygienic food practices. The constant problems created significant emotional distress, anxiety, and disrupted sleep due to the stained mattress and unpleasant odour in the room. Financially, we were forced to spend £1,600 eating out because the all-inclusive food and drink facilities were unusable. The holiday, intended to be cost-effective and relaxing, became an expensive and stressful experience instead. By the time our stay ended, we were utterly exhausted, both emotionally and physically. While we had hoped conditions might improve, every day reinforced that the hotel was not fit to operate at the level advertised. On the day of departure, there was no acknowledgement of our stay by staff. No courtesy, thank you, or goodbye was offered, leaving a final impression of indifference and poor hospitality. It is my view that the White Gold Hotel & Spa is grossly misrepresented. The food and drink were unsafe, the rooms were unhygienic, the facilities were poorly maintained or non-existent, and staff were rude and unhelpful. The overall experience caused illness, stress, and financial loss, completely ruining our holiday. I would strongly advise anyone considering a stay at the White Gold Hotel & Spa to think twice. The hotel is clearly not operating at the advertised five-star standard and fails to provide the basic necessities, hygiene, or hospitality that any guest should expect. Our holiday, which should have been relaxing and enjoyable, became stressful, expensive, and disappointing, leaving us with nothing but regret and frustration. This experience has completely put me off returning to Turkey and has made me extremely cautious about future bookings.

I loved the experience at White and Gold Hotel. The staff was super friendly, warm and helpful! I loved the food. It was not the same everyday. Salads were the same but they changed the meat and sides. The beach was super close to the hotel. They have the private beach and we always found places were to sit. The only thing that bothered was the AC that was missing in some areas in the hotel. I recommend to try their Turkish Bath and massage! Amazing!! Near the Hotel we had everything - stores, restaurant, bars, agencies where we bought trips, bus stop to take to Center of Alanya. I totally recommend it! ☀️