YouTuber Ed Chapman booked the world’s cheapest all-inclusive holiday to a three-star hotel in southern Turkey for £510, including flights. Despite savage online reviews citing flies and food poisoning, Chapman found the experience largely positive for the price.
Booking the Cheapest Deal
Chapman sought the lowest all-inclusive package available, finding a five-night stay at a hotel in Turkey with Jet2 flights. The total cost was £510, which he called “ridiculous.” He noted that return flights with luggage typically cost around £200, meaning the hotel and all-inclusive meals amounted to just £300.
Previous TripAdvisor reviews were harsh. One guest complained that “salads and other cold foods were often left uncovered for flies to land on,” and that “a lot of people became ill.” Another said, “My bed was covered in black flies. Not good at all!” Despite this, Chapman decided the price was worth the risk.
First Impressions of the Room
Upon arrival, Chapman found his double room contained two single beds and a sofa covered with a sheet, which he likened to “covering up a murder.” The mattress was extremely hard, but he still enjoyed good sleep. The minibar fridge was old and leaking water, but Chapman remained philosophical: “It is the cheapest all-inclusive holiday… Let’s not be surprised that it’s not going to be perfect.”
Hotel Facilities and Local Exploration
A friendly hotel employee took Chapman under his wing, giving him a tour and introducing him as “Ed Sheeran’s cousin” to impressed tourists. Breakfast included pale scrambled eggs, “crunchy” baked beans, and cucumber batons. Chapman also ventured into the nearby town, spotting counterfeit businesses mimicking brands like John Lewis and 7-Eleven. He dined at a restaurant called Barracuda, paying £34 for three courses, which he considered reasonable for a tourist area.
Back at the hotel, lunch and dinner featured “various different meats in very different forms, usually with red pepper,” watery broccoli, and chicken wings. Chapman admitted he experienced mild food poisoning the following day, though he couldn’t pinpoint the cause.
Entertainment and Overall Value
Saturday night entertainment consisted solely of a DJ deck on stage with no DJ, only music. Chapman said, “As far as Saturday night entertainment goes, there’s probably room for improvement.” He suggested adding a TV to show football, given that 99% of guests were British and the World Cup was on.
Despite these drawbacks, Chapman emphasized the value: “For the price, £510, bearing in mind £210 of that is probably return flights plus luggage. So you pay £300 for the hotel for five nights plus all-inclusive. That’s really very, very reasonable.” He estimated the food and drink he consumed over the week was worth about £300, making the trip an incredible bargain.
Final Verdict
Chapman concluded the hotel needs improvement in entertainment, food variety and temperature, and room cleanliness. “The room looks tatty in places. Probably need a little bit more cleaning. Some new appliances and furniture probably needed. But it’s fine. For the price, it is fine.” He noted the spectacular views as a major upside.
