Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side – Reviews, Pools & Family Tips

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side sits in Colakli, Manavgat, along Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline roughly 45 minutes from Antalya Airport. The all-inclusive property carries a 3.8-out-of-5 rating on Tripadvisor based on more than 3,198 guest reviews, positioning it as a mid-tier family destination between Side’s ancient ruins and the broader Antalya resort corridor.

Guest feedback clusters around specific attributes: abundant buffet selections, multiple pools with waterslides, and a private beach area accessible via complimentary shuttle. Yet the property draws mixed reactions regarding housekeeping consistency, entertainment variety, and occasional service lapses. Families dominate the visitor profile, drawn by kid-friendly amenities and spacious accommodations, though some travelers report concerns about repetitive cuisine and isolated incidents of bed bugs in certain rooms.

The resort operates within the Wyndham portfolio as an ultra all-inclusive property, offering economy and standard room categories with French balconies or terraces overlooking landscaped gardens. Recent stays from May 2025 highlight ongoing operational strengths in pool maintenance and animation programming, even as food quality and cleanliness standards generate divergent opinions among guests.

What are guest reviews like for Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side?

• Value perception scores 3.9/5 on Tripadvisor, exceeding location and service metrics
• Cleanliness ratings hover at 4.0/5 despite isolated complaints about unwashed glassware and indoor pool maintenance
• Sleep quality averages 3.9/5, supported by air-conditioned rooms with garden or pool-view balconies
• Food variety receives praise for fresh fruits, meats, salads, and nightly BBQ options, though protein selection skews heavily toward chicken and turkey
• Animation teams earn recognition for encouraging guest participation, contrasting with limited evening entertainment options
• Spa facilities including hammam and fish pedicure generate consistent recommendations
• Security concerns surface periodically, with reports of occasional altercations on the property

Is Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side all-inclusive?

The property operates on an ultra all-inclusive basis, covering meals, snacks, and select beverages throughout the day. This model distinguishes itself from standard all-inclusive packages through extended dining hours and additional snack services, though specific premium items may carry supplemental charges according to Expedia listings.

Dining Venues and Restrictions

The main buffet restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with rotating stations featuring fresh fruits, cold meats, salads, and desserts. Nightly BBQ events and poolside dining options complement the standard service. Two a la carte restaurants operate seasonally from May through October, requiring guests to book in advance and stay a minimum of seven nights to qualify for reservations.

Inclusions and Limitations

Standard inclusions cover buffet meals, local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and the complimentary beach shuttle. The animation program, fitness center, and indoor pool access come without additional fees. However, spa treatments—including the popular hammam and fish pedicure—operate on a fee-for-service basis despite the ultra all-inclusive designation.

What things to do are available at Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side?

Pool Complex and Waterslides

Three outdoor pools anchor the resort’s recreational offerings, featuring waterslides that guests describe as “quite good” for family entertainment. A dedicated children’s pool provides shallow entry points, while the main pools offer ample swimming space. The indoor pool, available year-round, has attracted criticism regarding cleanliness standards and maintenance frequency.

Sunbed arrangements utilize grouped shade awnings rather than individual umbrellas, a configuration some visitors find inconvenient when seeking solitary relaxation. The pools sit within landscaped gardens, creating a centralized recreational hub visible from many room balconies.

Private Beach and Coastal Access

Beach access requires either a four-minute complimentary shuttle ride or a ten-minute walk through sand dunes. The private beach area includes a dedicated bar and offers views of warm Mediterranean waters. Guests recommend applying sun protection for the walk, as the dune path provides minimal shade.

Entertainment and Wellness

Daytime animation programming includes water aerobics, pool games, and team competitions designed to encourage guest participation. Evening entertainment encompasses bingo sessions, short Turkish cultural nights, and belly dancing performances, though older children and young adults often find the schedule limited and venture to Side for alternative nightlife. The spa complex provides traditional Turkish hammam experiences and fish pedicure treatments, with the latter generating particularly positive guest mentions.

How to get from Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side to Side Old Town and Land of Legends?

Transportation options center on the Number 5 bus, which departs from the hotel entrance and connects directly to Side Old Town and Manavgat. This public service provides economical access to the ancient harbor, Temple of Apollo, and Side’s archaeological museum, with journeys taking approximately 16 minutes by car or slightly longer via public transit depending on stops.

Land of Legends Accessibility

The resort’s official materials and recent guest reviews do not mention direct transfers or organized excursions to Land of Legends, the theme park located near Belek approximately one hour’s drive away. Guests interested in visiting this attraction typically arrange independent taxi services or rental vehicles, as the property does not appear to offer shuttle services to this specific destination.

How has guest feedback evolved at Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side?

1. 2019: Early reviews characterize the property as “really nice for beach/pool holidays” with emphasis on clean rooms and tasty dining options, establishing baseline expectations for family vacationers.
2. 2023-2024: Consistent praise emerges for hardworking waitstaff and bar teams, alongside growing mentions of repetitive protein selections and inconsistent housekeeping standards including unwashed glassware.
3. May 2025: Recent stays highlight maintained strengths in pool operations and animation programming, while simultaneously noting subpar food consistency and cleanliness lapses in certain room categories, including isolated bed bug reports.
4. Seasonal Operations 2025: A la carte restaurants resume May-to-October operations with the seven-night minimum stay requirement for reservations, continuing the seasonal pattern established in previous years.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side?

Where does Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side fit within Turkey’s resort landscape?

The property occupies a specific niche within Antalya’s saturated all-inclusive market, competing primarily on family-oriented amenities rather than luxury positioning. Its Colakli location places it outside Side’s compact historic center, requiring transportation for cultural excursions while offering lower nightly rates than waterfront properties in the old town. This positioning mirrors similar mid-tier resorts across the Turkish Riviera, where pool complexes and children’s facilities often outweigh proximity to historical sites for the target demographic.

Compared to alternatives like Secrets Lanzarote Resort & Spa, which operates within the same Wyndham-affiliated ecosystem but targets adult-oriented luxury, Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side prioritizes multi-generational accessibility and waterslide infrastructure over boutique ambiance. The property’s 45-minute remove from Antalya Airport places it within the standard transfer zone for Mediterranean coastal resorts, avoiding the extended journeys required for properties near Cape of Good Hope-equivalent distances in other regions.

The resort’s operational model reflects broader industry trends in Turkish hospitality, where ultra all-inclusive packages increasingly bundle entertainment programming and spa access to differentiate from competitors. However, the property’s mixed service consistency scores suggest ongoing challenges in maintaining staff training standards across seasonal employment cycles common to the region’s tourism economy.

What do verified guests and official sources report?

“Really nice for beach/pool holidays with clean rooms and tasty options. The animation team works hard to get everyone involved, and the spa treatments like the fish pedicure are worth trying.”

— TripAdvisor Review, 2019

“The food became repetitive after three days—mostly chicken and turkey—and we found unwashed glasses in our room twice. However, the pools and waterslides kept the children entertained throughout the stay.”

— Recent Guest Feedback, 2024-2025

“Ramada Resort Side offers ultra all-inclusive accommodations featuring outdoor and indoor pools, waterslides, and a private beach area with complimentary shuttle service. Guests enjoy Turkish hammam treatments and poolside dining options during their stay.”

— Hoteles.com Property Overview

What should potential visitors know before booking?

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side delivers solid value for families prioritizing pool access and waterslide entertainment over gourmet dining and historic proximity. The ultra all-inclusive package eliminates most daily spending decisions, though guests should manage expectations regarding protein variety and housekeeping consistency. With reliable beach shuttles and bus connections to Side Old Town, the property works best for visitors content with resort-centric vacations punctuated by occasional cultural excursions rather than intensive sightseeing itineraries. Travelers seeking clarification on specific room categories or kids’ club schedules should contact the property directly before booking, as these details remain inconsistently documented across booking platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions