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Review: Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme, Turkey, an all-inclusive points resort

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This is our review of the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme resort in Turkey.

We don’t normally post reader reviews of hotels on Head for Points (beyond our recent My Favourite Hotels series), but when Chris reached out about the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme we thought it was interesting enough to make an exception for.

Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme resort review

The Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme is one of the very few all-inclusive resorts within easy reach of the UK that can be booked on points. This makes it an attractive prospect for someone who is points-rich but cash-poor.

Over to Chris:

“Only a 20-minute (and £10) drive from Dalaman airport, the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa is a huge all-inclusive resort, with 545 rooms, 7 restaurants and 10 swimming pools.

The prospect of being able to redeem Hilton points for an all-inclusive holiday was just something I couldn’t resist.  Somehow, having lunch and dinner (and a few drinks and ice creams!) made the redemption all the sweeter.

Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme resort review

Rooms start from around £200 – £250 per night.  I was sitting on a lot of Hilton points so was happy to redeem over the August Bank Holiday at a rate of 70,000 points per night (with the fifth night free).  Based on the commercial value of our stay versus the points redeemed, I value my redemption at 0.52p per point.

The check-in experience was one of the best ever, and not something I have ever experienced in a more traditional Hilton hotel.  After sanitising our hands, we were shown to a sofa area in the lobby and offered drinks – just a few moments later, we were given our keys and escorted to our room, with our cases brought to the room for us.

Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme resort review

Room

Our twin room, whilst a little dated in design, was comfortable and had views of both the Dalaman Stream and the Mediterranean Sea.  The air conditioning provided much needed occasional refuge from the 35 degree heat.

Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme resort review

The bathroom was much more modern, providing both a bath and a shower.  The toilet was in a separate room to the rest of the bathroom.

Even though the hotel is all inclusive, there were nice touches in the room, including a bottle of wine and fruit plate waiting for us, and the minibar was replenished daily.

Dining at the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa

With seven restaurants, the Hilton certainly provides a wide variety of food.  The main restaurant is where breakfast is served, along with buffet options for both lunch and dinner.  All items were served by staff wearing masks behind Perspex screens, but this provided reassurance rather than detracting from the buffet experience.

When entering the restaurant all guests are required to sanitise their hands and walk through a giant thermometer which is a bit like walking through airport security!

For lunch, we used the poolside restaurants each day, which provide both light bites and also more traditional Hilton fare, including the burger and steak sandwich.  This was a reminder that I was staying in a Hilton, even though I had a view of the swimming pool.

For an extra €15, you can choose to have dinner at one of the other restaurants, which admittedly we did most nights.  Whilst the buffet food was good, the restaurants were a real step up, and touching on fine dining.  We tried out the steakhouse, the Italian and the Chinese (there are also Turkish and seafood restaurants).

Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme resort review

I’m not sure if it’s a cultural thing, or just the Hilton staff being very hospitable, but you don’t need to worry about choosing between items on the menu – they will bring you whatever you want.  I was mulling between main course and dessert options, and was just served everything!

Whilst a couple of bars were closed due to Covid, the options which were available were still plentiful. 

In additional to all of the restaurants, there were poolside bars as well as a piano bar which we frequented for pre-dinner drinks each evening.  Rather strangely, the piano forte was not in the piano bar, but rather in the lobby!  With seating aplenty in the lobby, we took our drinks out to enjoy the entertainment.

Activities offered by the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme

The Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme has the biggest swimming pool complex I have ever seen, including those in many Las Vegas hotels.  Even though they were spaced out to enable social distancing, there was no shortage of sunbeds around the pools which, to be honest, is where we spent most of our holiday.

There was an adult pool, a children’s pool with slides, an activity pool, a covered jacuzzi in additional to separate pools around the rooms.  Despite the vast scale of the complex, it was absolutely spotless.  There is a poolside drinks service – after the first day, we didn’t even need to place an order; our drinks kept appearing automatically!

Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme resort review

Whilst technically by the beach, I would say the Hilton is definitely more for those who prefer to spend their days by the pool rather than on glistening white sand.  Many others were happy to use the beach, though.

I was very happy lazing by the pool, however, for those who want a more active holidays, there is a wide range of activities on offer, from spin classes and archery to paddle boarding and scuba diving.

The hotel is equipped with a gym and spa.  Whilst we didn’t try out the spa, the gym was available by appointment and had a range of both cardio and resistance equipment.  Staff were extremely attentive about cleaning equipment between use by guests.

We were provided with a programme of evening entertainment, ranging from karaoke to circus acts.  There were also evening shows to keep the kids amused.

Conclusion

The Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa is not, in a good way, what I expected for an all-inclusive hotel in Turkey. I found a wide range of quality food and drink options, the biggest swimming pool complex I have ever seen and staff who could not be more hospitable.

For anyone worried about whether travel is safe in the age of Coronavirus, Hilton has put in place comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of both guests and staff.  Whilst not intrusive, they gave me confidence to enjoy my holiday without having to worry.  I felt safer here than anywhere in the UK.

Would I go back?  In a heartbeat!  I think I have found a gem and a ‘go to’ place if I want to be sure of perfect weather as well as great food and friendly and attentive service.

The fact that I was able to redeem Hilton points was just the icing on the cake.”

Thanks Chris. As a Hilton Honors booking, a standard redemption is 70,000 points per night. You will pay less than this if cash rates are lower than, roughly, €249 per night on the dates you book. You will pay more if standard reward rooms are all booked and only ‘premium’ rewards are available.

Status members of Hilton Honors get ‘5 for 4’ on standard reward bookings which takes the average nightly rate down even futher.

If you want to find out more, the hotel’s website is here.

How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards

How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (April 2024)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.  We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

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Did you know that the Virgin Atlantic credit cards are a great way of earning Hilton Honors points? Two Virgin Points can be converted into three Hilton Honors points. The Virgin Atlantic cards are the only Visa or Mastercard products in the UK which can indirectly earn Hilton Honors points. You can apply here.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

and for small business owners:

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)

Category

Hilton Honors

Comments (52)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Tariq says:
    10 Sep10 September 05:31

    Not the first time that I’ve read that people feel safer abroad than in the UK. I wonder if part of that is down to escaping exposure to the mainstream media constantly peddling over-exaggerated risk?

    • Alex W says:
      10 Sep10 September 06:34

      I don’t know how you define risk but Covid has killed more Brits than the Nazis during the Blitz.

      • J says:
        10 Sep10 September 06:41

        The 1918 flu pandemic would be a better comparison (by which we are lucky it’s not as bad as 1918). That also seemed to affect young and healthy people in a way Covid is not. With the exception of high risk groups, Covid is usually not life threatening – hence the struggle for authorities to get large sections of the population to follow rules.

      • Mr(s) Entitled says:
        10 Sep10 September 07:31

        I hope you don’t drive a car Alex, the deaths compared to the Blitz will astound you.

      • Brian says:
        10 Sep10 September 08:13

        The reaction to Covid has probably done more damage to the economy than the Blitz, too.

        • James says:
          10 Sep10 September 09:04

          Covidiots aplenty today 🤦‍♀️

          • Brian says:
            10 Sep10 September 10:06

            There’s one in 10 Downing St, too. His latest plan is to roll out a mass testing programme that is estimated to cost £100bn, which is more or less the entire annual budget of the NHS. It’s called Operation Moonshot, which is appropriate, since he obviously has his head in the clouds.
            In other news, WestJet cancelled a flight because a three-year-old child wasn’t wearing a mask.
            As you say, Covidiots aplenty around.

          • J says:
            10 Sep10 September 11:01

            @Brian: I doubt it’s really his plan, but rather another of the many distractions to divert headlines away from embarassment.

    • Sam says:
      10 Sep10 September 08:14

      No.

      Happy to help.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      10 Sep10 September 08:58

      Probably a combination of The constant barrage of media stories and a government that has no idea what it’s doing.

  • BJ says:
    10 Sep10 September 05:48

    An excellent review, thanks Chris. Not my type of vacation at all but I was intrigued to read. Given the all-inclusive nature of the holiday it gives the impression of hitting above the 0 52ppp value stipulated too. I know that works on basis of the redemption versus rates but you are getting so much more than usual here that the usual approach to determining value feels somehow inadequate. Thanks for the comments on Covid precautions too. If this is typical of Hilton hotels at the moment it does provide some confidence and reassurance. Wondering what diamond does for you here other than room upgrades.

    • Alex W says:
      10 Sep10 September 06:36

      Tend to agree. In my head I have been holding out on getting 1p+ per point at the Maldives, but that would require spending literally thousands on food and seaplane transfers, whereas Dalaman costs £10 for a transfer and free food…

      • BJ says:
        10 Sep10 September 06:52

        You could go to Samui Residence which is generally more expensive than Rangali. Call McDonalds, KFC, S&P etc for food deliveries, or even hire your own private streetfood chef to provide meals for 6 days and you’d get your value. Not that I’ve ever been a fan of travelling based solely on value per point or mile, and I don’t like Samui anyway so I’m not recommending it.

    • Paul says:
      10 Sep10 September 13:05

      25% off in the spa but even that was not simply 25% off list prices. But the spa was fabulous. Great indoor pool too which would make a great winter escape if they were opened. Beyond that very little. My upgrade was the bare minimum but other report fabulous upgrades. I was generally disappointed by the hotels ambivalence to me as a diamond member. For 10 days I never set foot outside the hotel and in that time absolutely no one commented on my status.

      There was.a discount on airport transfers which I used simply to avoid using any currency.

      • BJ says:
        10 Sep10 September 17:51

        Thanks, thought about it today and coming round to the idea it might make a relaxing stopover combined with Istanbul should we take advantage a good cash fare on TK exEDI sometime.

      • BrianN says:
        10 Sep10 September 21:11

        Hi how much each way were the transfers? Thanks

  • Alex W says:
    10 Sep10 September 06:42

    Reward availability seems to be very scarce.

    • Jane says:
      10 Sep10 September 07:05

      I’m not seeing any availability after early November, cash or reward, something strange happening. Does look good with the kids though .

      • Speedbird676 says:
        10 Sep10 September 09:04

        I think the hotel is closed in winter – November to March.

        • Sideshow bob says:
          10 Sep10 September 09:54

          Was there in Autumn last year. Staff told us that it was supposed to be the first year that they would open all-season but then Thomas Cook hit and given 90% of their winter bookings was via Thomas Cook it was no longer viable (I think possibly that BA and EasyJet don’t fly there over winter). Looks like Covid has scuffed their plans for this year too which is a shame.

  • Alex W says:
    10 Sep10 September 06:43

    Looks like quite a good option for kids:

    “Children aged 12 & over will be charged 35% of the room rate at check-in. When sharing parents room: 1st child under 12 years stays free, 2nd child under 12 years will be charged 25% of room rate, infants under 2 years old stays free.”

  • Michael C says:
    10 Sep10 September 06:49

    Thanks for this, would 100% do it with our little one, and have been looking for somewhere to tag onto next IST trip!

  • Dev says:
    10 Sep10 September 07:27

    With little kids (I have a soon to be 3 year old), an all inclusive place is godsend … “no! No pasta … no issues, order a pizza instead!” I’ve ended up ordering multiple dishes just to find a combo that works for the little one!

  • Paul says:
    10 Sep10 September 07:27

    I I stayed here In the middle of August and flew Turkish airlines. as a diamond member of Hilton Honors I was rather disappointed by the upgrade that I received and the service in the hotel generally afford to Diamond members. that said, I agree this hotel is absolutely stunning the staff are fabulous and the food was very good In all the restaurants. it’s a pity you didn’t get to try the spa because it is probably the best I have seen anywhere in the world. it is huge, absolutely spotless and the Turkish baths were remarkable marble edifices. Treatments were on the pricey side but good value. my one concern about the hotel was not the hotel but some of the people who frequented it. A lot of bucket a spade TUI people were there when I arrived 13th Aug And there was a great deal of moaning from English people At the beach bar about food and queuing – none of which I experienced. You were supposed to queue each morning to book the speciality restaurants but after a quick word with guest relations that was not necessary.
    The beach is not great for walking and is black but they had a great pier for easy access to the sea for swimming.
    All staff wore masks at alol times including the life guard.
    They have a theatre and I was very impressed by the standard of the shows they put on 3 nights a week. There was also entertainment in one of the bars which varied nightly but again was very good quality.
    I spent 560,000 points for 10 days when rates were 350 plus per night. This included the 5 for 4 as a Hilton member.

    The hotel is closed in the winter

    • sayling says:
      10 Sep10 September 08:49

      Ouch!

      • Spursdebs says:
        10 Sep10 September 10:45

        There’s far more information in Paul’s review than Chris’s .., info on Spa, theatre, beach, upgrades, types of guests, etc
        As with a lot of articles, you can sometimes learn more from the comments than the actual article.

    • James says:
      10 Sep10 September 10:23

      Always a delight

  • dezbez says:
    10 Sep10 September 07:57

    Is the weather likely to still be decent towards the end of October? The hotel sounds great, easily accessible and given Turkey is one of the few places you can still get to (I think, although this could easily change at any time) it could be another half term option…

    • Paul says:
      10 Sep10 September 08:19

      Pools will be v cold end oct. They are not heated. There is an indoor pool.

    • ankomonkey says:
      10 Sep10 September 10:00

      All being well, we are making our 5th stay here at October half-term. As Gold, have been upgraded to a suite on all 4 previous trips. We’ve never experienced the football banners and yobbish behaviour mentioned. I suspect Covid has caused them to offload rooms cheaply this year, which I doubt they do in a ‘normal’ year.

      Pools were a little chilly the one other time we went at October half-term.

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