Myself and my friend stayed here in 2009 for a week all inclusive.
I was really happy to find it's a quick transfer from the airport, about 25 mins.
On our arrival we had the same problem as some other posters, as in we had a window, not a balcony as promised. We complained and were moved the next day to a beautfiul clean, well sized room with a really big balcony, the only downside was it looked out on other buildings and we didn't get a sea view.
The hotel was full when we were there, the first half of the week it was mostly english people, who were all good craic, but the second half of the week the place was full of locals who must have been on their holidays, and I would have to agree that they did seem to get preferrential treatment.
The steps were awkward for getting cases up and down, I don't know how a family would manage.
It was in easy walking distance to the town, about 15 minutes? The town itself was very reasonable for eating out in, although I thought my friend would murder someone if she continued to be pestered by the men who stood outside bars and shops calling her " my pretty" trying to get her into the shop.
In the local bars you need to keep in mind they will get you in promises you drinks at a certain price, which will be in tiny glasses and watered down, but if you are with someone like the girl I travelled with, and not afraid to argue and complain, you will be sorted in no time!
I liked the food in the hotel, we had alot of the soups, there were loads of salad options, not as many meat options, but we were pleased with it all. It's not irish food and for what we paid we were happy.
When we were there you could get wine, but in tiny glasses. The staff were a little unimpressed by us bringing out large plastic beakers that we had bought for our rooms with us, when asking them to fill them, but again said friend reminded them that nothing in the terms and conditions stated how many ml's you could have in your drink!
The entertainment was annoying. After a few days in the evening we would sit at the upstairs balcony so the ginger turkish entertainment host would leave us alone and stop trying to involve us. The pool is gorgeous but the music during the day can be loud and annoying.
Bitez is about 10 mins walk away and the bars down there will pay for a car to collect you if you make a booking.
I would go back, but I havent seen it advertised in any local deals departing from Belfast recently.
I found the front desk staff very helpful, and the place very clean. I didn't see any rats or flys or other animals whilst i was there, but it was a couple of years ago now!
The turkish spa was brilliant, reasonably priced, and unlike other places we have stayed, the staff didn't try and touch you up!!
- Grand Newport Gumbet
- Grand Newport Hotel Gumbet
- Grand Newport
