http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34467 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34467 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33968 We left on Saturday after a weeks stay and both agreed it was an incredible place to stay. The rooms are a little basic for a four-star (no tea or coffee and the bedrooms need a facelift) but if you want a hotel where the food is consistently incredible then this is the place to stay.
Our half-board transpired to be a buffet breakfast and a five course evening meal including wine. Each evening we were greeted by friendly staff and a very exciting menu. If you are happy to delve into interesting cuisine and not simply survive on sausage and chips then this is a must! Having eaten at some of the best restaurants in London and recently the Savoy, I would easily say that the Hotel Farandole reaches those lofty heights and with the added bonus of the very agreeable price. We can't recommend it enough!
In addition to this we would also like to say this hotel goes to lengths to accommodate your stay: Free shuttle bus into the resort with choice of ski lift drop off with a very friendly and knowledgeable chap called Rainy Day. Free access to pool and spa facilities and a very warm and welcoming lounge area for relaxing with a book. One down side would be the ski locker security, maybe look at one closer to town but the cuisine and service in this hotel makes up for that small detail and more!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33968 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33688 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33688 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33680 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33680 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33676 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33676 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33675 I was there this weekend and we stayed at a guest house, where we paid 20 levas (10 euros) per bed for one night, which is cheap, considering we are in the middle of the ski season. It was an amazing weekend, the weather was great, it was sunny, there was a lot of snow, all the slopes were fabulous.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33675 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33672 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33672 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33669 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33669 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33668 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33668 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33660 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33660 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33659 The resort itself is, unsurprisingly, a lot smaller and quieter than its alpine counterparts (although this is more than reflected in the price difference) yet still has a runs ranging from green to black in difficulty. For more accommodation options, stay in one of the many guest houses in the nearby lakeside town of Eğirdir. In fact the real beauty of a ski holiday here is that it can be combined with a city break (to nearby Antalya – where the nearest airport is also located), a visit to the ruined Roman city of Sagalassos, a chance for bit of seaside winter sun or simply a taste of rural Turkey in the afore-mentioned Eğirdir – all just a short drive away.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33659 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33658 The Grand Hotel has a lovely outdoor pool area where you can sit in a warm pool surrounded by falling snow.
Don't be put off by the fact that the site is in Japanese. Look up onsen etiquette and there will be plenty of help when you arrive to buy tickets, point you in the right direction.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33658 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33648 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33648 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33645 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33645 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33643 Lots of accommodation ranging from youth hostels to hotels to suit all budgets.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33643 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33617 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33617 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33414 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33414 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33242 As for Christmas at the resort, well, what can I say - it was spectacular. Snow, more snow, Christmas lights, more snow, skiing, Christmas dinner with my friends (during a break between shifts) and even more snow. Of course, having watched Miracle on 34th Street and knowing the charm of a British Santa Claus, my employers had a special job for me and I duly donned the white beard and red hat and spent half the day ho-ho-ho-ing around the resort. Apart from a touch of vertigo when experiencing my first ride back down the chairlift (cue much ho-ho-ho-ing while green in the face and rushing to the staff office to throw up - fortunately the beard came off just in time), my experience as Santa went very well and the children at the resort were exceedingly grateful for my having delivered all their presents the night before.
Anyway, I would recommend Christmas at Panorama to anyone and especially those people who want to get away from it all and work at the resort for a season. I had the most amazing time and would go back in a second, if I happen to have a spare five months one year.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33242