Royal Dragon Hotel

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about the Royal Dragon Hotel? It’s actually tucked away in this quieter stretch of Evrenseki, maybe fifteen minutes from the main Side action – which honestly turned out to be perfect. I mean, you’re close enough to wander into the old town for those sunset photos at the ancient theater, but far enough that you’re not dealing with the tourist chaos right outside your door.

The place has that classic Turkish resort vibe going on, and while it’s officially five stars, it feels more like a solid, comfortable four-star experience (which explains that 7.0 rating, I guess). The lobby’s got this grand marble thing happening – a bit over the top but not in a bad way. Check-in was smooth enough, though they do that whole “welcome drink” routine that takes forever when you just want to see your room. The staff’s English is pretty decent, and they actually seem to know the area well. One guy at the front desk gave me these great directions to this little fish place in Manavgat that wasn’t in any guidebook.

Here’s the thing about the location – Evrenseki isn’t exactly the most happening spot along the Turkish Riviera, but that’s sort of the point. You’ve got this nice stretch of beach that doesn’t get completely mobbed, even in July. The hotel’s pool area is where most people hang out during the day, and it’s got enough space that you can actually find a decent spot without getting up at dawn to reserve chairs with towels (you know how that goes). The food’s… well, it’s resort food. The breakfast spread is pretty impressive – lots of fresh stuff, good Turkish options if you’re into trying local flavors. Dinner’s hit or miss depending on the night, but honestly, with Side so close by, you’d be crazy not to explore the restaurants there.

The rooms are comfortable enough – nothing fancy, but the AC works well (crucial in summer), and most have decent balcony views. I stayed on the fourth floor facing the sea, and while you’re not right on the water, you can see it through the pine trees. The bathrooms are a bit dated but clean, and the beds are actually pretty comfortable. One minor thing – the walls aren’t super thick, so if you get stuck next to a family with kids, you’ll know about it.

What I really appreciated was how easy it was to get around from here. There’s a dolmuş stop right nearby that’ll take you into Side proper for like two lira, and if you’re feeling adventurous, Manavgat’s waterfall is maybe twenty minutes by taxi – totally worth it on a hot afternoon. The hotel can arrange car rentals too, which is probably your best bet if you want to explore places like Aspendos or venture further along the coast.

Look, the Royal Dragon isn’t going to blow your mind or end up on any “world’s best” lists, but it’s exactly what you want from a Turkish beach resort – comfortable, reasonably priced, and positioned well enough that you can actually experience the area instead of just being trapped in hotel-land. Plus, that quieter Evrenseki location means you’ll actually get some sleep at night.