Hotel Club Cactus Paradise

On the seafront, about 2 mi from the fishing village of Gumuldur, 18 or so miles north of the lively seaside resort of Kusadasi and 28 mi from Izmir airport (with a transfer time of around 30 minutes).

The hotel closes during the winter months, from the end of October to the beginning of May.
Guests staying at the Cactus Paradise have the option of a free visit to the adjacent waterpark, the Yali Castle Aquapark.

The Cactus Paradise doesn't look very inviting from the outside, its large, 5 storey building not exactly the stuff dreams are made of. Having said that, once inside you'll find the surroundings rather pleasant, well equipped and very friendly. The lobby is rather bright, though admittedly the Art Deco style will not be to everyone's taste. The sound of running water in the two fountains provide a pleasant atmosphere. Outside, the round lines of the first of the hotel's swimming pools blends perfectly into the surroundings, surrounded by deck chairs, perfectly aligned alongside each other. The second pool, which is close to the first, is smaller but just as pleasant, despite the relative lack of vegetation.

The Cactus Paradise has 210 guest rooms, 160 of which are housed in the main building. The corridors leading to the rooms are rather on the dark side, though the rooms themselves are quiet comfortable and generously-sized (20m²). The various shades of yellow and blue in the decor don't really do a lot, but the carpets are nice, the bed covers light and the bedding of a good quality. All rooms have a balcony overlooking either the pool or, for those to the rear of the hotel, a nearby road. Try to avoid the latter, however, wherever possible since, although the road isn't particularly busy, you'll still hear the traffic passing by.
In terms of amenities, all the basics are provided, including a hair dryer, phone, television, safe available to hire, mini bar and adjustable air conditioning system. Oddly, the bathrooms in the standard rooms are more spacious than those in the family ones.

The main restaurant provides very nice surroundings, both inside and out, with the same Art Deco-themed decor as in the lobby, though the tables are arranged a little too close together to allow for any privacy. If you can, take a seat outdoors, and remember that it quickly fills up out here at peak times. Meals are served as a buffet and the various stations quickly get crowded. Despite the limited number of rooms here, there is often a queue to help yourself. On the other hand, the food is of a high quality and the menu varied, with a selection of both international dishes and local specialities on offer.

The beach is definitely one of the Cactus Paradise's main assets. It is wide enough to provide a great place to relax and long enough to enjoy a lovely stroll right along the coast. The sand is of a very high quality and the enticingly clear waters are also perfect for swimming, but you will find a few stones along the shoreline. Plastic deck chairs are provided without cushions, but you can take shelter from the sun under a parasol, and although the setting may be rather windy, this is certainly good news for those who fancy trying their hand at a sailing sport. Motorised water sports are also available.