The Kalkan Regency
From: Colin Manders
To: Steph
Subject: The Kalkan Regency
Dear Steph, Charlotte, Gillian,Murat, Sarah and Andrew,
What a team and what a holiday ! We returned yesterday from Kalkan, our first trip to stay in Turkey (we have visited Ephesus). I am writing on behalf of my wife, Tina and myself to thank you all sincerely for arranging such a superb holiday. We had a marvellous time.
I understand that your company has only been running for two years or so and therefore the standards of service and all round excellence which you have achieved are even more remarkable.
Your administration is excellent, the brochure a dream but the real gem is your superb website. This was so apparent when arriving at the hotel and especially our room, no dramas, no surprises, exactly as you had promised - the process even engendered a sense of deja vu! We booked and we received a quiet room with excellent facilities and a large and very comfortable bed- just what was needed to unwind from stressful jobs.
We must also give credit to the facilities and the excellent staff at the Regency with a special mention to Nuri, Masuda and especially Dolunay. They have built and run a fabulous hotel. Their attention to detail and the unobtrusive ways in which they ensure all their guests have a terrific holiday is exceptional.
The quality, quantity and variety of the food was amazing. I am beginning to run out of effective adjectives!
One final plaudit - we really appreciated the booking policy of restricting children to being over the age of 14. So few companies do this and it was a key reason for choosing the Regency - although we now appreciate that there are many others in your portfolio. This ensured that we had a really enjoyable, quiet and relaxing holiday in the company of others seeking the same environment.
We will definitely return to Turkey and we will travel with you again for sure, maybe not next year - too much of a good thing and how can we top this holiday!
Thank you and sincere best wishes.
From: Justine Sutton
Subject: The Kalkan Regency
We have just returned from a weeks stay at the Kalkan Regency. I really felt the need to let you guys know what a wonderful holiday experience both your company and the Regency have created.
It's a delight to have at last found a company who understand the meaning of customer service and providing something special. From the moment we checked in at Manchester to the time we left the airport to come home the experience was fantastic. You have found every little attention to detail that we come to expect but sadly with most other companies very rarely have delivered.
The hotel... well what can 1 say. Its a real gem. The setting, the food, but most importantly the people there. They are so welcoming but so genuine. The family running the hotel are wonderful.
We spent a day on the motor crusier and the lunch experience that they have created leaves you speechless, I'm sure you know where the boat goes? It must have been one of the best experiences I've had.
I could write on and on but I'll leave it here. We will be returning time after time.
Well done on the creation of your company.
Subject: The Kalkan Regency - Kalkan
Dear Stephanie and the team at Exclusive Escapes,
We have just returned from yet another fabulous holiday at the Kalkan Regency. This was our third consecutive year at the Regency and each year we say that we must try somewhere different but somehow end up going back!
Working hard all year as we do, it is just so nice to know that going to the Regency, you will be guaranteed a wonderful and relaxing holiday which is very important to us. Nuri and Musuda have got it just right!
We have also met some great people during our holidays at the Regency, some of whom we have kept in touch and become friends.
Exclusive Escapes are the most professional company that we have dealt with regarding our holidays and hope that you continue to maintain the excellent standard of service that you provide for us all, oh and by the way, I loved the pink towel this year!
Hope to be travelling with you again next year.
Kind regards
Marion and Stephen Hyams
Subject: Thank-you
Dear Nuri and Masuda,
having today arrived back in England, following a truly wonderful two week stay in the Kalkan Regency, We wished to write and thank you and especially all your staff for making our stay such a great experience.
We also wish to thank the excellent Exclusive Escapes’ reps, guides and drivers for helping us to experience the history, culture and geological sights of Lycia.
Above all we would especially like to thank all those involved in the recovery of our camera, a real testament to the efficiency and professionalism of your team.
To relate, we had a slight problem when the taxi, in which we were travelling to Dalaman, suffered a puncture. When transferring to the replacement taxi I inadvertently left my camera on the back seat; only discovering the problem when I was in the departure lounge.
I was able the telephone the Regency and spoke to Ahmet, who had been so helpful throughout our stay. Ahmet quickly understood the problem; he said he would see what he could do and would call me back if he had any news.
The time came to board the plane with no news. We had said we would telephone again from England but sadly thought we might have lost the photographic memories of our wonderful experience. As we strapped ourselves in for the flight, a lady from Exclusive Escapes, walked up and said “are you the gentleman who lost his camera” and handed me the said camera!
We do not know how Ahmet and the Exclusive Escapes achieved this “miracle” but please pass our additional thanks to all involved.
Very best wishes
Names withheld
The Kalkan Regency - Kalkan
To: sarah
Subject: Re: Holiday Enquiry
6 days before we were due to leave for Dalaman, I was lucky enough to find your site on the internet after spending days trying to put together some sort of travel arrangements within Turkey for myself.
I gave Sarah what I thought was quite complicated criteria - a husband who does not enjoy holidays so needs to be kept busy, a 12 year old son who loves water sports and myself who wants to be somewhere interesting, but not spoilt by tourists, likes a quality place to stay not too large. Amazingly 5 mins later Sarah called back with all the answers and I knew immediately we were talking the same language and I was completely relaxed and excited about the forthcoming trip.
Back now and I can honestly say it has been the best, the most successful holiday I have had with my husband - everything was simply perfect.
The Kalkan Regency was just lovely, the staff so friendly and yet discreet, the facilities excellent and the food also extremely good.
We booked a busy itinerary but every trip was different and fascinating and our guide was so informative, intelligent and knowledgeable we all came away with a much deeper insight into the geography/culture/history and politics of Turkey - what a fascinating country. Consequently my husband had no opportunity to feel bored so he was happy. My son had a day and a half participating in water sports, scuba diving, water skiing snorkelling etc so he was happy. As for myself, the location of the hotel just outside the charming town of Kalkan and the lovely hotel itself... not to mention the wonderful Turkish bath - well I was in 2nd heaven. And finally as for value for money - well unbelievable!
Maybe the highlight for me was the trip to Kekova Island - the only word to describe it was 'magical'. The beauty and tranquility combined with the awareness of the enormous sense of history as we wandered round the ruins - just amazing. And to top it all the weather was just perfect all week - every day blue skies and temperatures in the late 20's. Another memory has to be dining on the rooftops in the charming village of Kalkan, the lights twinkling and stunning views looking down on the town and harbour.
Its hard to stop because in the space of one week all my senses have been stirred - sights sounds smells and the people I have met have been lovely.
This is a big thank you for putting together such a fabulous trip. I am really looking forward to receiving your brochure and I am quite sure you will be receiving a few calls from Jersey. I cannot talk highly enough about your company. Thank you very much.
Kind Regards
Andrea le Boutillier
Re: The Kalkan Regency & Yonca’s Retreat
What a fantastic holiday. We are all so impressed with the entire arrangements, if you can keep up the personal and attention to detail you will be successful, a wonderful hotel and people.
kind regards and good luck
Vaughan and Sarah Furr
Sent: 08 September 2004
To: admin
Subject: Kalkan
Hello,
Just wanted to let you know, I stayed in the Regency (room 209) in May of this year, and thought the hotel was out of this world, by far the best I've ever stayed in.
However, I feel it is only fair to tell you that in my opinion the new hotel room pictures do not do them justice, sorry.
Having already visited the hotel before, I would not hesitate to return.
Many thanks
Mrs Vanessa Mason
Sent: 05 August 2004 03:03
To: andrew; steph
Subject: Request for Brochures & Thank You.
Dear Andrew and Stephanie
Just a quick note to say the holiday in Turkey was just wonderful, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the location was marvellous. Thank you very much for your expert assistance with the arrangements. On the strength of this, I would appreciate it if I could have 2 current brochures of holidays on offer by your company, sent to my company address.
Once again many thanks & kind regards
Margaret Deary
Sydney
Sent: 26 October 2004
Subject: Holiday to Kalkan Turkey
Good Afternoon Exclusive Escapes
We have just returned from a holiday to the Kalkan Regency Hotel in Turkey, our first visit to Turkey. It was a 2 week stay. I felt I had to drop this short note just to let you know how pleased we were with everything, the Hotel was perfect, the staff were delightful and Kalkan itself was fantastic, especially all the Restaurants, and the gulet cruise was brilliant too.
We will definitely be going back to Kalkan with yourselves at some point in the future.
Regards
Mrs Diane Wilson-Long
Sent: 08 July 2004
Subject: Kalkan Regency
I had promised to do this as soon as we had got back from holiday - but then, as so often happens, other things happened and I forgot about it!
I felt I must write and let you know that we had a wonderful week at the Regency (19 - 26 June) - it couldn't have been better. It was our first time with you, although my partner has been with Tapestry on a previous occasion, and we were delighted with just about everything - the hotel was beautiful and the staff and service superb, the resort was lovely - what a choice of places to eat, the gulet cruise day was excellent and the overall service and 'thoughtful' way everything was handled made it an incredibly relaxing and totally enjoyable holiday. Even down to the feeding arrangements for the hotel sparrows.............
We've come back with some lovely memories and photos and would very happily return - at the drop of a hat as far as I'm concerned!!
So please pass on our comments to all concerned - I think the staff at the hotel especially should be congratulated on their excellent service and attitude.
We hope 'Exclusive Escapes' does well over the next few years and can manage to keep up the same standard.
kind regards,
Julie Cornwall & John Hole
p.s. booked through Howard Travel, Trowbridge, with their customary excellent service also.
Sent: 18 August 2004
Subject: Thank you!
Arrived back from Turkey on Sunday after an absolutely fantastic holiday and we just wanted to express our thanks to the whole team.
Your attention to detail is superb from the brochure and website descriptions, right down to the silvery envelopes and postcards left in the rooms. The staff in the UK are both helpful and informed. The reps we dealt with in Turkey - Monica at Yonca's and Dilek at The Regency were helpful, attentive but never intrusive.
Doing a two centre holiday for us (the first time we've done it) worked out really well, and we felt we'd had two entirely different holidays with each week seeming to last 2 weeks long! My husband was chilled and relaxed within 2 days (a record!!)
We loved both hotels, although obviously very different. Yonca's is a joy - what a find! We enjoyed the simplicity of Gocek - we didn't do a lot, either stayed by the pool, or took a water taxi to Gocek Island, and we liked the fact that the restaurants and shops were really Turkish. Such a relaxing week. The transfer was great, the children felt like rock stars in the swanky transport!
Have to say we did feel a bit odd when we first arrived at The Regency - we were obviously the newcomers, but after a couple of hours we settled into it and had a great time. The facilities are great as was the service. And although Kalkan is by no means as commercialised as many places (no Sky TV, English breakfasts and football shirts - thankfully!) we did find it a little busy for us, especially after Gocek! We did have to seek out the more Turkish restaurants but we managed it and really enjoyed ourselves.
I hope you find the comments useful and not too picky. After all said however, we have already recommended your company and we will definitely be booking with you again.
Thought you'd like the attached of our children Jacob and Harriet enjoy our fantastic day out on the gulet at Kalkan.
Well done and best wishes for continued success.
Many thanks
Niki Roberts
Sent: 29 June 2004
To: steph
Subject: Re: Thanks for arranging a good holiday!
Hi Andrew/Stephanie
We have just returned from a superb holiday at the Kalkan Regency and wanted to congratulate you on getting almost everything spot on. The place was lovely and the food and personal attention from the hotel staff extremely good. The gulet cruise was a particularly enjoyable and relaxing day which was well organized. We would certainly consider going again.
One thing I wondered is whether the hotel could store a few slightly softer mattresses. The beds are extremely firm and although I appreciate that many people like hard beds, for those of us who prefer something more giving, the week was a bit of an endurance test! We finally resorted to taking a couple of the mattresses used on the beds round the pool and putting them under the sheets. It worked, sort of!
Anyway thanks again for helping make the week very special.
I will try to find out the surname of the person who gave us the recommendation so that she can be suitably rewarded but you might be able to do it for me. Her name was Sarah and she and her husband would have visited in May. She lives in Hertfordshire (somewhere close to Welwyn). She tells me she has booked again for September.
Thanks again
Jan
Note from Exclusive Escapes: special ‘under’ mattresses are now available at The Regency for guests who prefer a softer bed.