Mark Warner Phokaia Beach Resort Review
By Guest Blogger Emily Howard
Travelling down to the airport, the excitement of my first ever Mark Warnerexperiencestarted to kick in. I was lucky enough to be jetting off to Phokaia Beach Resort, which is actually one Mark Warner’s larger resorts. The popularity of Turkey has grown immensely in recent years, mainly due to its first-class beaches, astonishing history, friendly happy people and great cuisine – it’s easy to see why so many British tourists return here year on year.
Phokaia Beachclub is located just 2km from the quaint port town of Eski Foca, and set around two bays. They are known locally as ‘Big Sea’ and ‘Little Sea’, and the famous ‘Siren Rock’ mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey can be seen across the bay of Foca.
“Spacious ‘Club Rooms’ with stunning views”
After a comfortable 1.30hr transfer into the resort, I checked into a spacious ‘Club Room’ situated in the main hotel. The room was spotlessly clean, complete with all the necessary amenities including; air conditioning, drinking water, beach towels, hair dryer, flat screen TV and a fridge. Upon opening my balcony I was met with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea – the perfect way to start each day, simply glorious
The immaculate 50m Olympic-size swimming pool is the focal point of this spacious resort, and due to its size, it never seemed crowded. The surrounding garden rooms and villas are located down winding paths, that lead to a beautiful stretch of sand and shingle beach. Ample sun loungers around the pool area and beach front, eliminating the need to be up at dawn to reserve your place in the sun.
“Superb staff and first-class facilities”
I was positively overwhelmed by the vast array of exciting water and land activities on offer at the Phokaia Beachclub; The biggest challenge was actually finding the time to schedule them all in – you could spend 2 weeks here and still have plenty to do.
The breakfast was also impressive, with a buffet offering a choice of omelettes, pancakes, fresh fruit and continental options – delicious! I began my first day with a 30-minute yoga class in the fitness area near the pool, and the instructor was enthusiastic and offered options to suit all fitness levels. It doesn’t matter what your level of ability is, the classes are tailored to maximise your enjoyment.
“Kayaking was a short term struggle, for long terms gains”
Next on the agenda, was an enthralling group kayak that led across the bay, towards a small island just off the coast. It gradually became apparent that the island was much further away than first appeared, so it turned into a fun, adventurous workout that offered beautiful views back across the bay – well worth the effort.
Water sports equipment (fantastic quality and extremely well-maintained) is readily available on the beach front for guests, and the beach bar offers plenty of options if you want a hard earned drink – ice cold ones being my personal preference!
“Exhilarating water-skiing experiences”
One thing you may not have read about in the brochure is the famous ‘Booze and Balls’ event. This self-explanatory exercise involves beer, rackets and tennis-related games. This was a great opportunity to mingle with the other guests and was completely relaxed – no skill required!
On my final day, one of the pre-booked slots freed up, so I took my chances and decided to give water-skiing a go. After a brief lesson on basic techniques, I imagined riding the waves in expert fashion looking like I’d done it all my life – the reality however was very different, with me hanging on for dear life looking scared stiff. The experience was fantastic and I found the staff to be extremely friendly, patient, and committed to ensuring I got the most out of my new sport.
If you love water-sking, then Phokaia Beachclub is one of best resorts in Europe for you. The sea here is much calmer, which is essential when getting the most out of this fantastic sport. An exhilarating experience and one which I would definitely recommend. Took a few comedy falls, with my water skis flying off in all directions, but I soon got the hang of it.
We hoped you enjoyed reading about Emily’s trip to Mark Warner’s Phokaia Beach Resort as much as we did!
We would be delighted to speak to anyone who considers a holiday to Phokaia Beach Resort, you can contact us on 0800 707 6229 or send an email to info@travelclubelite.com for the latest Mark Warner Deals and extra savings!