Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Mercure Trabzon - Your Dream Turkish Getaway!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Mercure Trabzon - My Turkish Dream… (Or Was It?) - A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m diving headfirst into my stay at the Mercure Trabzon. Forget polished brochures; this is the real deal, warts and all. I’m talking emotional rollercoasters, questionable food choices, and the unwavering quest for a good cup of coffee. Let’s get started, shall we?
SEO & Metadata Buzzwords (Gotta appease the algorithms!): Mercure Trabzon Review, Trabzon Hotels, Turkey Travel, Spa Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Pool with View, Turkish Getaway, Luxury Hotel, North East Turkey, Black Sea Region, Hotel Review, Free Wi-Fi, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa & Sauna, Breakfast Buffet, Restaurant Review, Airport Transfer, Family Friendly.
(Accessibility – Let's Start Here Because… Well, It Matters)
Right, so accessibility. This is crucial for a lot of people, and I'm glad to report the Mercure seems to have made a decent effort. They brag about "Facilities for disabled guests," and from what I could see, it's not just lip service. The elevators were plentiful thank god. I saw ramp access to the main areas, like the lobby and the restaurants (though navigating some of the outdoor seating areas might be… challenging, let’s be honest.) I peered into a room that looked suspiciously like a "wheelchair accessible" one – wider doorways, grab bars… That's a good start. Definitely good to inquire directly with the hotel before booking if accessibility is your MAIN priority. Don’t rely on me! I'm just some blabby reviewer, you know?
(On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges - Food, Glorious Food (and Potential Obstacles))
Okay, so the restaurants. This is where things get a little… vague. The main restaurant seemed pretty accessible, but I didn’t spend ages actually eating there, I did have a quick nosey, and it seemed fine. The poolside bar…well, that’s a different story. The pool had some kind of crazy access, so I could see that being an issue for some. The layout overall seemed manageable, but again, best to double-check with the hotel directly.
(Wheelchair Accessible – The Actual Experience)
I didn’t need a wheelchair myself, but I was paying attention. From what I saw, the Mercure tries, and that’s something. It’s not perfect, and I couldn’t assess every single corner, obviously, but it’s definitely a step above some hotels I’ve been at. Just, you know – contact them.
(Internet, Internet, and More Internet – Because We're All Addicted)
Free Wi-Fi! And it actually worked in my room (hallelujah!). It’s a huge tick! I mean, I’m a digital nomad wannabe, so I need to keep the cat videos flowing, ya know? They also offered LAN (remember those?) and "Internet services." I didn’t touch the LAN, tbh. Wi-Fi in public areas was also available, and at least in the lobby, it was pretty speedy. No complaints here.
(Things to Do, Ways to Relax – Let's Get Pampered!)
Right, the good stuff. The spa! I had high hopes. They promised a "Pool with View," and they delivered (more on that later!). They also had a sauna, a steamroom, and a gym. Now, I’m not a gym rat. I'm more of a "sit around and eat baklava" kind of person, but I did use the spa. They offered body wraps, body scrubs, foot baths, and massages. I had a massage. It was…okay. Nothing to write home about, but hey, I’m not complaining. It wasn't an emotional experience.
The "Spa/Sauna" facilities were clean and modern. The swimming pool (outdoor) was lovely, and the view was, well, it was alright. It was pretty, sure. I thought it was a little crowded.
(Cleanliness and Safety – Covid Times, You Know?)
They seemed to take hygiene seriously. "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," "Hand sanitizer" everywhere… all the buzzwords. They also offered "Room sanitization opt-out available," which is a nice touch for those who are less paranoid.
I saw staff trained in safety protocol. Honestly, it’s hard to really know how effective it all is, but they seemed to be trying their best. "Safe dining setup," "Sanitized kitchen and tableware items,” "Physical distancing" was attempted. I didn’t see any "Sterilizing equipment," but maybe I was looking in the wrong places.
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Culinary Adventures (and Disasters))
Okay, this is where things get interesting. The breakfast [buffet] – oh, the breakfast buffet. It was… there. "Buffet in restaurant" is accurate. Plenty of stuff. You could even get an "Asian breakfast." (I was curious, but I went for the safe option: the western breakfast. The buffet, with an "A la carte in restaurant" option was the best part. They have a "Coffee/tea in restaurant." They had a Salad in restaurant. They had a Restaurant. They did have a "Happy hour," which was a bonus.
The "Restaurants" I tried served "International cuisine in restaurant," and let me just say, the quality varied. Some dishes were genuinely delicious, others were… well, let’s just say they weren’t memorable. I'd recommend some exploring of local restaurants, if you're open to stepping outside the hotel. The "Room service [24-hour]" was a godsend at one point when I had a serious case of the munchies at 3 am.
(Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter)
Alright, the small stuff. They had a “Concierge” (helpful), "Daily housekeeping" (thank god!), "Dry cleaning," "Elevator" (praise be!), and "Laundry service" (essential for the perpetually travel-stained). I’m sure they had “Safe deposit boxes”, because all this hotel, seems to.
There's stuff like “Air conditioning in public area,” and “Facilities for disabled guests”.
I noticed “Cash withdrawal,” which could be handy. I saw a "Convenience store," but didn’t go in. "Currency exchange," was an option. “Gift/souvenir shop,” – oh, that was awful. “Luggage storage,” thank God.
The "Terrace" was nice for a bit and a bit of sun.
(For the Kids – Family Friendly? Maybe)
They advertised "Babysitting service" and "Family/child friendly," with "Kids meal". I saw some kids there. They seemed happy enough.
(Access – Getting In, Getting Out, Getting Around)
"Airport transfer" was a lifesaver after a long flight. “Car park [free of charge]," thank you! And a “Taxi service,” always handy. “Check-in/out [express]” and "private," I chose for some reason.
(Available in All Rooms – The Room Itself, What Was It Like?)
Okay, let's talk about the room. Mine was… fine. Not spectacular. They advertised "Air conditioning," definitely a must. "Alarm clock," (useless, I just my phone). The "Bathtub" was decent. "Blackout curtains" were much appreciated. The "Coffee/tea maker" was a lifesaver (I NEED coffee). "Free bottled water," always a nice touch. "Hair dryer," essential. "In-room safe box," yay security. "Mini bar," over-priced. "Non-smoking," (thank god). "Private bathroom," obviously. "Refrigerator," handy. "Satellite/cable channels" (honestly, who watches TV these days?). "Seating area," good. "Shower," fine. "Slippers," YES! "Smoke detector," important. "Soundproofing," (thank god). "Telephone," (who even uses these?). "Toiletries," okay. "Wake-up service," (redundant when you have an alarm clock and a coffee maker). "Wi-Fi [free]," (bless). And a "Window that opens," (fresh air!).
My Personal Verdict:
Look, the Mercure Trabzon is not a disaster. It's a solid, reliable hotel. It's not going be the stuff of legend, and I didn't shed tears of joy or sorrow during my stay. It's a decent base for seeing the Black Sea region. There were moments were things were truly, truly, truly wonderful.
The most important thing is to adjust your expectations. It's not unbelievably luxurious, but it tries. If you’re looking for a comfortable, well-equipped hotel with some decent spa facilities, it's worth considering. But if you want a truly unforgettable, life-altering experience? Maybe look elsewhere.
Final Score: 7/10 (Could be an 8 if the coffee was consistently better!)
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Elizabeth Cebu - Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your pristine, Instagram-filtered travel guide. This is real life, Trabzon style, from the slightly wonky perspective of yours truly. And we're starting… at the Mercure Trabzon Hotel. Honestly, it's a hotel. Solid, dependable. Let's be honest, the real adventure is what happens outside the walls. Here we GO:
Trabzon Tango: A Messy, Emotional, and Occasionally Breathtaking Itinerary from Yours Truly
(Get ready for some serious stream-of-consciousness. Abandon all hope of perfect chronological order.)
Day 1: Arrival & Cliffhanger Balcony Views (and a Minor Meltdown)
Afternoon: Landed in Trabzon. Plane was bumpy. I hate bumpy planes. My stomach is already churning, and we haven't even hit the kebabs yet. The arrival was smooth enough, though. The airport is tiny, reminding me more of a bus station, than international airport. That's a good sign, right? Less chaos. Well, until I tried to flag down a taxi. Apparently, my universal "point and look pleadingly" gesture wasn't cutting it. Finally, got a ride, the driver speaking as much English as I speak Turkish, which is basically "merhaba" and "tesekkur ederim". We made it, somehow. Honestly, that's the charm!
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: The Mercure & The Balcony: Check-in? Easy-peasy. Room? Decent. Clean, even. And then… the balcony. Oh. My. God. The Black Sea. Right there. Emerald green, frothing at the edges. Spectacular. I spent a solid 15 minutes just staring. Thought I was going to cry. Then the internet went down, and I did cry. Okay, not really cry, but I grumbled. I need wifi. I need to document this. I need to show off this view. The hotel wifi is notoriously spotty apparently. Seriously? I'm in Turkey! This is an outrage! Then, after an hour, it went back up and I was happy again.
Evening: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Food was… fine. Nothing to write home about. But hey, I had the view. Again. Still gorgeous. Kept taking photos. Overkill photos, I know, but I couldn't help myself!
Day 2: Sumela Monastery & The Existential Kebab Crisis
- Morning: Renting a car. I'm not a good driver. I'm not sure I'm an okay driver. But after a failed attempt to secure a taxi and after some heavy negotiation, I managed to find a rental with a guy named Ali in the hotel parking lot. It was an old car, but the price was right. He seemed trustworthy. (Famous last words, right?)
- Mid-Morning: The Sumela Monastery: The drive was… an experience. Winding roads, sheer cliffs, goats wandering aimlessly. My knuckles were white. But the monastery! Holy smokes. Incredible. Perched on a cliff face, a testament to human ingenuity (and maybe a little bit of crazy). I spent hours wandering around, feeling small, and trying to wrap my head around the history. My camera got a workout. I even had some sort of weird spiritual moment, which is odd for a skeptical person like me.
- Lunch: Now, the kebab crisis. I, being the adventurous eater that I am, thought I would go for some street food instead of eating in the hotel. Well, it turned out, not all kebabs are created equal. I ended up at a tiny place that looked promising and ordered something that seemed familiar, but the result was… intense. Too much spice. Too much oil. My stomach is still churning. I managed two bites. I'm now on a quest to find a good kebab. This is serious business.
- Afternoon: Back to the hotel to recover. And check the wifi.
Day 3: Uzungöl Lake (A Love-Hate Relationship)
- Morning: The drive to Uzungöl lake. OMG. The drive. Another nail-biter. The roads get narrower, the cliffs get steeper. You have to be okay with goats.
- Mid-Day: Uzungöl itself is gorgeous. Stunning, really. The lake reflecting snow-capped mountains. It should be a perfect day. But then… the crowds. Masses of tourists. Cafes blasting Top 40 tunes at ear-splitting levels. The "authentic" feel is a little… lost. My happy bubble burst. I wanted to love it, I really did. I got my photos, but then I felt overwhelmed and needed to get as far away as possible.
- Afternoon: A massive ice-cream. Pure, unadulterated, creamy goodness. Okay. Sanity restored.
- Evening: Back at the Mercure. Dinner in the hotel. Safe choice, kebabs are no longer an option after a rather unpleasant incident. I’m considering just eating bread.
Day 4: Trabzon Town & The Unexpected Connection
- Morning: Exploring Trabzon town. Hmmm. Busy. Churches. Mosques. The bustling market. The atmosphere is lively, to say the least. But wow, the history! I found the Hagia Sophia museum, which is incredible. The architecture is stunning.
- Lunch: After the morning hustle, the search for kebab number two. Found a place tucked away on a side street, that was absolutely delicious. Success! (Or… maybe I was just really, really hungry and forgiving?) Either way, I'm in kebab heaven.
- Afternoon : The surprising part of the day. I met a local. A really nice guy who spoke English, we spent the afternoon walking and he helped me understand the culture and history that I was failing to grasp. A genuine connection! Sometimes, these trips deliver the unexpected, and those moments are always the best.
- Evening: Last dinner. Reflecting. This trip is a bit messy, and the hotel wifi continued to disappoint, but the beauty, the food, the people… it’s all worth it.
Day 5: Departing & The Kebab-Free Farewell
- Morning: Farewell to the balcony view. One last, lingering stare at the sea. Packing. Contemplating a kebab for breakfast. But, no, I am still too scarred.
- Mid-Day: Taxi to the airport. This time, managed to get one without the "point and plead" routine.
- Afternoon: Goodbye Trabzon. Goodbye, messy adventures. Goodbye, potentially problematic stomach. I'll be back. Though next time, I'm bringing a better wifi hotspot. And maybe a kebab expert.
Notes:
- The Mercure: A decent home base. The view is the star. The wifi… well, let’s just say you might need a backup plan.
- Food: Kebab Quest: Ongoing.
- Emotion: Fluctuating wildly.
- Advice: Embrace the chaos. Get lost. Talk to the locals. Pack your patience, and your anti-acid. And for the love of all that is holy, get a good map and a reliable internet connection!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Mercure Trabzon - Your Dream Turkish Getaway? (Or Is It?) – The FAQ You Actually Need
Seriously, is Trabzon actually *worth* going to? All the way to Turkey?
Okay, so look. Trabzon. It's not exactly Santorini, alright? But... yes. Absolutely, yes. It's worth it. *Especially* if you're tired of the usual tourist traps. Imagine this: You're flying, a long flight, probably, and then you land and BAM! Mountains! Lush, green, ridiculously beautiful mountains. And then, Mercure Trabzon. It's nestled in there, a bit of a swanky oasis in a region that still feels… authentic. You get a bit of a, 'Oh, I'm on the *real* Turkey' vibe. That said, the airport? Let's just say it's a *vibe*. Get ready for a bit of a queue, and maybe a slightly grumpy customs officer. But hey, it's character building, right?
What’s the Mercure Trabzon *actually* like? Is it REALLY luxurious? Like, five-star luxurious?
Luxury? Hmm. Let's say it's "Mercure-levels-of-luxury-plus-a-dash-of-Turkish-charm." Think gleaming lobbies, maybe a chandelier or two. My room? Okay, I'll be brutally honest. At first, I was like, "Wow, this balcony view is... substantial." Like, the mountains are *right there*. Unreal. Then I started poking around. The bathroom was… functional. The grout? Let's just say it’s seen better days. (Okay, maybe worse days.) It’s clean, don’t get me wrong, but *pristine*? Not quite. The thing is, the *overall* experience is darned good. The staff? SO incredibly helpful and friendly. Always a smile, always willing to help with your broken Turkish. They're the real luxury, honestly. They made the slight bathroom blemishes irrelevant.
Food! Tell me about the food! Is there a decent kebab shop nearby? (Essential info, people!)
Okay, FOOD. Listen up. The breakfast buffet at the Mercure? Solid. A little samey after a few days, but the Turkish breakfast staples are all there: olives, cheeses, breads, some seriously good honey. The *real* win? The local restaurants. (And no, I couldn't find a great kebab shop immediately nearby, which was frankly devastating – but I'm sure there are some a short cab ride away, I just didn't scour for them.) The hotel restaurant is fine. But seek out the local stuff. Seafood is phenomenal, fresh from the Black Sea. I'm still dreaming about a grilled whole fish I had. And the pide (Turkish pizza)? Oh, the pide! Go on an adventure, talk to the friendly staff (speaking of which, get them to write things down for you! Turkish is HARD!). You'll find incredible food. Trust me. Just be prepared to point and smile a lot if, like me, your Turkish is nonexistent. (I tried. I really did. "Teşekkür ederim" got me *so* far.)
What is there to DO in Trabzon? Besides eat (which, let's be honest, is a major draw).
Okay, so this is where Trabzon *really* shines. Forget the beach holidays for a moment. Think history, think nature, think... monasteries clinging to cliffs! The Sumela Monastery is *breathtaking*. Absolutely breathtaking. It's a bit of a drive, winding roads (car sickness pills, people!), but the view is worth the white knuckles. The Trabzon Museum is pretty cool, good to get a lay of the land and how it was all so, so long ago. And the Uzungöl lake? Oh, my word. Picture this: a mirror of a lake surrounded by mountains. It's like a Bob Ross painting come to life. I almost cried. (Okay, maybe I *did* cry. The scenery's just… overwhelming in a good way.) It's worth a full day. And if you're feeling adventurous, go for a hike! (But pack good shoes. I nearly broke my ankle on one of those "easy" trails. Oops.)
Should I rent a car? Or are taxis/public transport okay?
Car. DEAR GOD, rent a car. Taxi can be a pain. Public transport? Good for the city, a nightmare outside of that. The roads are… well, let’s call them "spirited." Expect hairpin turns, and drivers who have a very liberal interpretation of the speed limit. But the freedom! You can go *anywhere*! Just… take it slow. And maybe get the insurance. Trust me. That said, I didn't rent a car, because I'm a scaredy-cat, and I wanted to enjoy the scenery without the stress. I hired a driver for a few days, which was PERFECT. He was a local, spoke the language, knew every nook and cranny. Best decision ever.
What kind of people go to Trabzon? Will I stick out like a sore thumb?
You’ll see a mix. More Turkish tourists than international ones (which is a *good* thing, honestly). I saw families, couples, a few solo travelers. I never felt out of place. Turks are incredibly welcoming. Just be respectful, dress modestly outside the hotel (especially if you're visiting religious sites), and be prepared to be offered endless cups of tea. Seriously. You'll be offered so much tea. I think I drank enough tea to float away. So, no, you won't stick out. You might just have a *really* fun time.
About that "unbelievable luxury"... does the Mercure actually have a spa? And is it any good?
Yes, it has a spa. I went. I got the massage. My, it was... okay. It wasn't like a Swiss spa experience. It was... Turkish. It was relaxing, yes. But the lighting was a bit bright for my taste. The music was a bit...elevator-y. The therapist was lovely, though! Really. So, it depends what you're expecting. Luxury spa? Not really. Relaxing massage after a day of mountain climbing? Absolutely. I rate it a solid "meh." But I'm a spa snob. (Don't tell anyone.)
Is the hotel good for families? Are there kid-friendly things to do?
The hotel is fine for families. They have a small pool (indoor and outdoor), which is a godsend if you're traveling with little ones. There isn't a dedicated kids' club or anything, but the staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating, the hotel in general is so very helpful, and the region itself is perfect for family adventures! Hiking (easy trails, of course!), exploring the monasteries, visiting the lakeStay Finder Review
