By Petrina Christine | Food, Travel & Experiences
You know when life gets so busy that you just need a break?
Well, that was exactly how I felt before heading off to Turkey for a much-needed family getaway!
Suitcase packed, holiday mode activated and off to Dalaman, Turkey!
We stayed at the beautiful Marmaris Palace Hotel and spent our holiday enjoying breathtaking scenery, delicious food, live entertainment and quality time together.
There were plenty of memorable moments, although not everything went quite as expected.
Here’s how our holiday went!
Staying at Marmaris Palace Hotel
The first thing that stood out about Marmaris Palace was its beautiful surroundings.
Imagine being surrounded by greenery, with incredible mountain views overlooking the sparkling blue sea.
Honestly, the scenery was stunning!
It was lovely being surrounded by nature and having somewhere peaceful to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
The hotel itself was beautiful and provided a wonderful setting for our family holiday.
However, while I loved the surroundings, our experience with the service was mixed.
More on that later!
A Beautiful Boat Trip Along the Turkish Coastline
One of my favourite experiences was our boat trip.
There’s something special about being out on the water, cruising along the coastline and enjoying those breathtaking views.
The beautiful blue water, surrounding mountains and natural scenery made the experience even more memorable.
It was the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy the sunshine and appreciate being away from the usual daily routine.
Honestly, I could have stayed out there all day!
If you’re planning a holiday to this part of Turkey, I’d definitely recommend considering a boat trip.
Discovering Selam Restaurant: Delicious Food and Wonderful Hospitality
Now, let’s talk about the food!
If you’ve followed my food adventures, you’ll know that discovering restaurants is one of my favourite parts of travelling.
During our holiday, we visited a lovely family-run restaurant called Selam.
And the food was absolutely delicious!
However, what made this restaurant particularly memorable wasn’t just the food. It was the hospitality.
While we waited for our meals, the owners gave us little games to play.
How lovely is that?
It was such a thoughtful gesture and made the experience feel welcoming and personal.
Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference.
The combination of delicious food, friendly owners and those little personal touches made Selam one of my favourite dining experiences of the holiday.
Where Is Selam Restaurant?
If you’re visiting the Marmaris area and looking for somewhere to eat, here’s where you can find it.
Restaurant: Selam Restaurant
Address: Cumhuriyet Mahallesi, Menderes Cd. No:11, 48720 Marmaris/Muğla, Türkiye
Google Maps: [Insert clickable Google Maps location]
I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in the area.
For me, this restaurant was a perfect example of how great hospitality can make an experience even more memorable.
Concerts and Evening Entertainment
Of course, our holiday wasn’t just about relaxing and enjoying the scenery!
We also attended a concert and enjoyed some evening entertainment.
I absolutely love live music, so this was another highlight.
There’s something about enjoying a concert while you’re on holiday that makes the experience even better.
Between the beautiful surroundings, boat trip, restaurant visits and entertainment, we certainly had plenty to enjoy.
Most importantly, we were making memories together as a family.
My Honest Experience at Marmaris Palace
Now, although the hotel itself was absolutely beautiful, I do have to mention something that disappointed me.
The service wasn’t always what I expected.
I want to be fair because there were several lovely members of staff who were friendly, welcoming and made our stay more enjoyable.
I genuinely appreciated them.
However, there were also occasions when other staff members were unfriendly and ignored my family and me.
And for me, that’s disappointing.
We’ve all paid for our holidays and everyone deserves to be treated with the same kindness and respect.
It’s not about expecting special treatment. It’s about everyone being made to feel welcome.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t always our experience.
It’s such a shame because the hotel had so much going for it.
As beautiful as the surroundings were, I personally wouldn’t return to Marmaris Palace.
Would I Visit Turkey Again?
Absolutely!
Despite the disappointing aspects of the hotel service, we had a lovely holiday and made some wonderful memories.
From cruising along the coastline on our boat trip to enjoying delicious food at Selam Restaurant and attending a concert, there were so many highlights.
And of course, spending quality time with my mum and family made the holiday even more special.
I would happily return to Turkey in the future.
I’d simply choose a different hotel.
Final Thoughts: Was Our Turkey Holiday Worth It?
For me, travelling is about more than just visiting somewhere beautiful.
It’s about discovering new places, trying delicious food, experiencing different things and creating memories with the people you love.
This holiday certainly gave us plenty of those moments.
Although I wouldn’t return to Marmaris Palace, I still have some wonderful memories from our time in Turkey.
And Selam Restaurant was a lovely reminder of just how much a warm welcome and thoughtful hospitality can enhance an experience.
Have You Visited Turkey?
I’d love to hear about your experiences!
Have you stayed in Marmaris or visited Dalaman?
Have you discovered any lovely family-run restaurants?
And have you ever stayed at a beautiful hotel where the service didn’t meet your expectations?
Let me know in the comments!
More Food, Travel & Experiences With Petrina Christine
I’m Petrina Christine, a London-based food and travel content creator sharing my love for restaurants, travel and memorable experiences.
From discovering London’s hidden food gems to exploring destinations around the world, I love sharing places and experiences worth knowing about.
Follow Petrina Christine on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube for more food, travel and experiences.
Because some of the best memories are made when you take that much-needed break!
Leave a Reply