Azura

With such a large selection of restaurants and spots to choose from, living in London I know how hard it can be to decide on one place to spend the day out at whether that be to eat or just to lounge. However with that being said, if you’re looking for something simple yet delicious to eat in Central London where you can also lounge with friends, then I have the perfect place for you.

I visited Azura recently to test out the new spots in London. The restaurant is in Camden Town which is already a great location in itself, the only thing about Camden is that its so busy, so if you’re planning to travel with public transport, make sure you’re leaving enough time to travel and get past all the bustle.

When I arrived the staff were very welcoming and friendly, we were slightly early for our reservation but they took us straight to our seats and got us sat down. After a few minutes we ordered drinks and food and everything moved fairly quickly. I got the calamari which also came with a salad and my friend got lamb chops, and as you do we both decided on a side of fries. One thing to note about this restaurant is that the portions are very small, so if you have a big appetite this may not be the place for you. However, with that being said, I most definitely did not leave hungry. Despite the size I still found myself satisfied with the amount that I had eaten and the food definitely did not disappoint either. My only real criticism about this restaurant is the pricing. For two small portioned mains, two sides, and two soft drinks we paid almost £60 on top of an additional 12.5% compulsory service charge. I think the food and the service was lovely however, you could go to a traditional Turkish restaurant and get the same quality meal for a more reasonable price.

Azura also offer a shisha menu for any 18+ guests and have a lounging strip if you’re with a big group of friends. Overall, i’d say that if you’re willing to pay slightly more for a standard meal out in London then Azura is worth the shot for a day out.

xo

Visiting Alanya?

This being the first time that I had travelled to Turkey in four years, it’s safe to say that the entire family was excited to return. I had previously visited Antalya pre-covid but as a family of four. This time around I was intrigued to see how holiday life would treat us as a family of seven. With both cities being some of the most popular tourist areas across Turkey, Alanya was most definitely next on the list… Next stop Bodrum.

The Hotel

We decided to book with Oz Sui Hotels which is rated 5 stars, on arrival I was impressed by the beautiful exterior. First impressions had us all excited to get checked in.

The Rooms

I checked into a family room which was included a Queen sized bed, a dressing area and a TV in the first room. The room followed through into another separate area which included two single beds, an extendable sofa bed and another TV. Attached to the second room was a balcony which unfortunately didn't have the most pleasant view.

The cleanliness of the rooms was no issue at all and the cleaning staff were very friendly.

Facilities

The pool was open all day from 8am until dinner and was in a very convenient place as the lunch bar and restaurant were right by it. Throughout the day, the entertainers came out several times and played poolside games, did fitness workouts and dances and the DJ was there from morning until evening to keep the good vibes up. However, the games that were played were not very inclusive for children, they mainly focused on adults and admittedly the entertainment at this hotel wasn’t impressive at all.  A Lot of the time, unless you've chosen to leave the hotel and find entertainment yourself, children and possibly adult may find themselves bored. As lovely as it was to explore Alanya as a whole, I found that travelling as a larger group with young children in the hot sun can become extremely stressful, and at times it would've been more useful to be able to rely on the hotels entertainment..

The waterslides were one of the most enjoyable parts of the hotel; they were only open from 9am-2pm despite the pools shutting at 7pm and they also closed at lunch (12pm) for an hour. With a lack of satisfying entertainment and child-friendly activities around the hotel, it was disappointing to see one of the best features be limited.

The indoor facilities are definitely worth giving a shot. We decided to book a traditional Turkish hammam massage as part of the Alanya experience and it definitely lived up to its standards. The staff were kind, patient and did their best to make us feel comfortable and the treatment was memorable. I can say in full confidence that that may have been the most relaxed that I have felt in a while. The indoor pool also came in handy as it was open for longer hours than the outdoor pool and was perfect if you needed a break from the sun or if you wanted to go on a late night swim. 

The Restaurant

The restaurant was buffet styled and there were a range of different options to choose from excluding actual authentic Turkish meals. Each night there was a section of food outside by the pool area which varied from different cuisines daily, but in all honesty it was nothing special. If you’re planning to stay here for more than a week I would recommend planning on dinning outside of the resort.

Alanya: The City

Although my experience at Oz sui may not seem the best, Alanya has much more to offer than hotels. Going into the heart of the city was one of the best decisions we had made on this trip. The surrounding views of the coast were stunning and perfect for tourists who enjoy making holiday photo albums. For anyone who was keen to eat a good traditional Turkish meal, this would be the perfect place to come, the coast is packed full of all different restaurants.

For any travelling historians, the Alanya Castle is the perfect place to visit. This 13th century built monument lies in the mountains of the coast and has bookable tours which take you through the inside of the castle and are definitely worth looking into!

If by the end of this you're still indecisive on whether or not Alanya is worth the visit, then let me help you… IT IS !! I think that holiday experience can most definitely be affected by where you stay. Personally, I would suggest that if you're travelling with kids, Oz sui isn't the best choice of hotel! Regardless, the city has a beauty which cannot be described through words, it's one of those where you have to see it to believe it. There are lots of fun packed and family friendly activities to do once you're out there, my only recommendation is that if you are travelling with kids, ensure there is enough to do within your hotel to keep them satisfied.

For any reccomendations please feel free to email team@serenitylondon.co.uk.

I x

Photos from https://www.ozhotels.com.tr/

End of a chapter and a reflection

As my time as an intern has come to an end, it is a perfect occasion to reflect on the time spent at Serenity.

Studying during the final year at university can be very challenging. You have to constantly manage your time, adjust any meetings and work to your schedule and still have time to clean your house, cook and have a social life. So why would you even think about adding an internship to your tasks?

I have been taught to always take every opportunity that arises and make the most of it. During my time at Serenity, I have expanded my knowledge and skills in event management and administration, which have proven to be extremely useful when talking to recruiters at various companies. I even managed to secure a full-time graduate job within 2 months of finishing all my exams! 

Before starting the internship I was unsure of how I could become more professional in a workplace, be it on the phone or facing the client, but at Serenity, I have been given the chance to learn that through practice. When you put the knowledge you have gained at university into practice, and the practical one into writing coursework, you realise how much easier it is to understand the nature of events and the logistics behind them.

So to my fellow students beginning their final year of study in September - do not be afraid to take up the challenge. A few months of very hard work will pay off once you finish your studies!

M x