The Yoga retreat in Turkey with Bella was an incredible experience and I am still buzzing from it! The hotel staff were all so professional and kind, everything was at hand, the food, pool, and all the facilities, just superb. What made the holiday sublime, however, was the incredible yoga we shared. Bella set such an inclusive tone where all levels were able to access the practice in their own way. The excursions were wonderful and I still smile when I remember swimming next to the waterfall after our into the mountains. I would recommend Free Spirit with Bella to anyone who is a seasoned yogi or even a complete beginner. Bella is a very special teacher indeed and her experience in running retreats certainly shows. The sense of warmth and cohesion in the group was something very special. I will be booking again, of this I am certain. Thank you for some very special memories as well as the fantastic yoga”
Best wishes,
Mary-Lou September 2022 Bella Somerville
Hi, just back from Noemi’s week at Grenadine in Turkey and wanted to say what a lovely week it was – and to say thank you for organising it.
Grenadine is my favourite – the venue, managers and staff are just great, they did everything they could to make it a lovely stay. For me, it couldn’t be improved!
About Noemi – she is such an accomplished teacher – my yoga improved hugely – she ‘teaches’ rather than just runs a yoga class. This was a big and varied group and people had different expectations and needs re the yoga. I think of it as people who want yoga with a bit of holiday, and those who want a holiday with a bit of yoga. Our group had both of these. Noemi did a great job of accommodating everyone and bringing us all together. The atmosphere was great, the group got on really well and there was lots of laughter – the WhatsApp group is still pinging today with people sharing photos and thanking Grenadine and Noemi for a fab week. Cheers
Jackie - May 2022 Noemi Franco
Hi, we are back safe and sound just in the nick of time as Turkey came out of the quarantine corridor at the weekend. Very happy to report that all went well, Aygul's hospitality was outstanding once again, the yoga was enjoyable and hugely restorative, the glorious weather an absolute delight - really what is not to like.
Thank you both for your efficient organisation and prompt responses when called upon with a query or request - it is very much appreciated.
Linda - September 2020 Charlotte Watts
I wanted to let you know what a wonderful time I had at Grenadine Lodge in Dalyan. Lucy is an inspiring teacher. She is knowledgable, kind and fun. Lucy was adept at teaching a wide range of abilities and ages in a manner that was warm and supportive. Grenadine Lodge is a lovely small hotel with a pool and a beautiful garden with lots of secluded spots to relax in. The hotel was spotlessly clean and all the staff were friendly and helpful. Food was delicious and plentiful. Tamarisk Tours link with the hotel and provide a wide choice of excursions. I visited a stunning waterfall. I highly recommend both Lucy's teaching and Grenadine Lodge for a perfect yoga holiday.
Nicky - Sept 2019 Lucy Aldridge
What a great trip to Grenadine Lodge in Dalyan! Lovely surroundings, comfortable accommodation, tasty breakfasts and evening meals, bar food good too. The hotel staff were friendly, approachable, polite and helpful. The yoga was enjoyable and well led in a pleasant yoga space.
Great trips were organised - 12 Island Boat Trip and Evening River Cruise were fab.
It was a lovely week, I’d go again, and highly recommend it.
Vivienne - June 2018 Jude & Andrea
Hi
Just wanted to drop you an email regarding my recent trip to Grenadine Lodge..The hotel was comfortable and clean. The food was plentiful and of very good quality. The hotel staff were attentive, polite and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble.
The yoga was enjoyable and both the teachers gave 100% to everything.
I had a great week and would highly recommend this venue to friends.
Best Wishes
Jan - June 2018 Jude & Andrea
My friend and I have just returned from a blissful week of yoga at the wonderful Grenadine Lodge.
Jude and Andrea complement each other perfectly their yoga is both familiar yet challenging working the whole body. They listen, help and advise with understanding and compassion.
The trips and activities are brilliant with something for everyone. We have been twice and are looking forward to next year already.
Fiona - June 2018 Jude & Andrea
Hi Jilly, I just wanted to email you to let you know what a wonderful time my daughter and I had at Grenadine Lodge.
Beautiful hotel, delicious food and wonderful yoga. We will be back next year. 5* review! Best wishes
Lyndsey - June 2018 Jude & Andrea
Hi Debbie and Jilly, hope you are both well - Jan and I just wanted to give you some feedback for our trip to Grenadine Lodge – ‘Brilliant’ as per previous trips thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at such a delightful venue, served and pampered by Aygul and her staff along with all the delicious food prepared for us by the lovely cooks. Not forgetting our wonderful yoga classes with Jude and Andrea. The only problem was getting on the plane to come home !! Kind regards
Sandra and Jan - June 2018 Jude & Andrea
Hi Debbie and Jilly, I recently returned from a yoga holiday booked with Free Spirit to Grenadine Lodge in Dalyan, Turkey. This was my second holiday with Free Spirit and with my yoga teacher Diane Davis who I take weekly classes with and have been for the past four years.
I thought my trip to Crete last September was wonderful and this was the same - such a special place. Dalyan in Dalaman was easily accessible from Stansted but not too crowded with tourists. Arriving at Grenadine Lodge made me smile - such large, comfortable rooms with air con and bean bags outside to sit and relax on. They have an amazing pool and outdoor jacuzzi, swing chair, hammocks, a treehouse where you can relax from the heat with a good book (also a great spot for yoga) and a bar and restaurant. The food was so fresh every day and the drinks and ice creams were well priced. To be honest, I could have just stayed at the resort for the entire week and not left because it was so relaxing!
We did experience some of the tours though and I am really glad I did - the one day boat trip around the islands was a wonderful experience allowing us to swim in the sea and the local hammam was well worth a visit. Do this at the beginning of the trip to get your skin ready for the sun (it is very hot!) and I would recommend having a full body massage from Maria which can be arranged on-site.
The yoga was simply wonderful. I knew it would be because Diane is such an experienced and talented teacher. We woke every day to have an hour and a half before breakfast in a shaded shala with a splendid view. I worked on moves that I don't do as regularly back home (the headstand) and really feel like I learnt new things and pushed myself that bit harder with my yoga. We then had an hour every evening at 6pm in the treehouse - the peace and quiet mixed with the meditation was so so relaxing - I came back feeling probably the most relaxed I have ever felt and wish that feeling would continue in everyday life!
The team at Grenadine Lodge look after you so well. There are books and magazines to read at your leisure and if you run out of any toiletries while you are away then don't go and buy them - just ask at reception as they have complimentary ones for you to borrow and hand back as you leave.
Thanks to Diane for making it such a fun trip - a mix of great yoga, things to do with some much needed down time (for me that meant sunbathing!) I can't wait to book my next trip to Italy!
Claire - June 2017 with Diane Davis
Hi
I just wanted to give feedback on the fantastic yoga break I had at Grenadine Lodge.
The teachers Jude and Andrea were great, helpful, friendly, compassionate and also very professional.
The lodge was lovely, great food and welcoming staff.
My friends and I loved it and came back feeling rejuvenated.
Can't wait till next year.
Fiona - May 2017 with Jude and Andrea
Just like to say that my husband did not want to go on a yoga holiday, then having spent a week at Grenadine Lodge Hotel with Elizabeth Hurley (also known as Jane Pollard) as the Kundalini Teacher, he said it was the best holiday he had ever had. Thanks to all that made this week such a memorable experience, including free spirit, all the staff at Grenadine Lodge Hotel with it's owner Aygül Hüner and the lovely people we met there
Janett October 2016
Hi Jilly,
Just wanted to give you some feedback on my recent holiday to Grenadine Lodge with Jane Pollard - which was really fantastic!
This was my third visit to Grenadine Lodge (I have never 'been back' to anywhere else!). It is very beautiful and the location is perfect. The grounds, the pool, the bar, the restaurant, the treehouse, the hammocks - all fantastic. Very good sun loungers with new cushions. Connie, Aygul and all the staff there were fabulous. The vegetarian food is totally delicious, I never got bored of what was on offer or felt I needed anything else. Dalyan is the perfect village for yoga students, very chilled but plenty to meet our needs also. It is such a shame for the local people that it was so quiet this year due to the downturn in tourism in Turkey, but we enjoyed all the shops and restaurants, and friendly people. We also enjoyed the 12 islands boat trip - fantastic.
The 10 sessions of yoga with Jane were also fabulous, very different but really powerful and enjoyable. Jane included everyone, despite a range of physical issues, and adapted classes depending on how everyone was feeling. Jane was also fantastic at bringing the group together outside yoga sessions, and making sure everyone felt included, but also had their own space if needed. She was a great teacher and very special person.
All the organisation from Free Spirit was fantastic - booking, payment, the taxi, the details in advance - all really helpful and all went smoothly
Jane October 2016
I’d like to thank Jane Pollard for introducing me to kundalini yoga and for helping me to align my chakras on my recent visit to Grenadine Lodge. As important too was Jane’s fun, thoughtful guidance and her generous commitment to our excellent group. The Lodge is a wonderful spot for a yoga retreat, so close to Dalyan village and set in beautiful countryside with wonderful river scenes too; it was an added bonus to be there at pomegranate harvest time. Argul and her team were perfect hosts and local people were kind and hospitable. I would love to return. –
Sharon October 2016
Hello Jilly, I went on a yoga holiday this September to Grenadine Lodge, Dalyan. I decided to go on a yoga holiday again with Jude as I enjoyed the yoga and holiday so much in Crete last year. I was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed Jude and Andrea's sessions; the ambience and the way they were so well planned out. I'd like to send them a big thank you. I also enjoyed Grenadine Lodge, the lovely staff, food, wonderful massage by Maria, and all the help from Aygul. We had a lovely group and it was all just very convivial and relaxing.
I loved the 'Moonlight' trip to the mud baths - it was such fun. I loved the Haman. I loved the turtles. I returned home on top of the world. Life has since brought me down a peg or two, so time to start thinking about my next yoga holiday! Thank you and best wishes,
Nicola Pike September 2016
Hi Debbie and Jilly, a little late with feedback but just wanted to let you know that we had a brilliant week at Grenadine Lodge. Aygul and her team were first class - very friendly, welcoming, delicious food ……. faultless
Kind regards Sandra and Jan September 2016
On behalf of myself and my friend Sarah Rose, we would just like to say how much we enjoyed our visit to grenadine lodge. It was my second time and just as enjoyable as my first experience of a yoga retreat.
Once again the hotelier Argyl and her staff were brilliant and made our stay so very welcome, they were always on hand if you needed anything.
The yoga teachers jude medhurst and Andrea Teja were fantastic and come highly recommended by us both.They made our group feel welcome, challenged and provided great meditation and laughter plus they were always there to share our daily adventures.
Thank you
Sharon Aldred September 2016
Hi Gilly and Debbie,
As always, my stay at Grenadine Lodge was wonderful: excellent food, lovely polite and helpful staff, extremely clean, quiet and relaxing. This September was made especially memorable due to a small group of lovely ladies and two wonderful yoga teachers. Jude and Andrea certainly complement each other's yoga styles. It was my best yoga experience. Thanks for putting Jude and Andrea together. Kind regards,
Mary Fox September 2016
Hi Debbie,
Just a belated email to say how fantastic the yoga holiday was at Grenadine Lodge. The lodge was idyllic and the people running it lovely. The 12 island tour was amazing too. I already knew I would enjoy Shamita’s classes and they didn’t disappoint! I'm very keen to go again next year if Shamita runs another either at the same location or elsewhere...Thanks for all your help,
Sarah June 2016
Hi Just got back from my yoga retreat holiday at Grenadine Lodge. It was fantastic! The hotel is amazing the staff great, food delicious - faultless! Diane's yoga was fabulous, my boyfriend had never done yoga before but attended every class. The meditation was peaceful and beautiful, she even took us up a mountain on the last day for one - it was very spiritual. Diane also help us arrange trips with the Freespirit reps who were also amazing. We will come again next year,
Jo June 2016
I went on a one week yoga retreat in Turkey at Dalyan starting at the end of May where the yoga was taught by Shamita Ray. She was absolutely excellent. Her teaching was in my view truly inspirational. She was gentle, kind, and enormously encouraging. The way she taught technique was excellent - clear and enabling. I learned to do things I had never thought I would be capable of, but more than that, I felt better in body and mind at the end of the week than I had for years. She created a spirit of support and harmony within the group which was remarkable.Kind regards,
Pamela June 2016
Dear Debbie, I just wanted to let you know that our stay at Grenadine Lodge was wonderful. It was a charming hotel with the most helpful staff I have ever met anywhere. The yoga was fabulous; Shanita was an excellent teacher. All in all it was a wonderful holiday. Thank you so much.
Pamela - June 2016
I have recently returned from a wonderful week at Grenadine Lodge. I went there last year and had a great time but was a little apprehensive at returning in case my previous memories were too good to repeat. I was not disappointed - this holiday was even better. Grenadine Lodge is a great place to stay, so calm and tranquil and a wonderful place to practice yoga. The staff at the lodge really are like family and take great care of your every need. I am not vegetarian but thoroughly enjoyed the lovely fresh food presented at breakfast and dinner.
Many thanks to Bev, our Yoga teacher, who pulled out all the stops to provide us with a variety of different yoga experiences. Every class was well prepared and tailored for each and every students level of competency, encouraging you to go that little bit deeper if you felt able to do so. The meditation, music and readings certainly took the yoga to another level and really made you think deeply on a much more personal level. Bev is very professional, friendly and approachable and I look forward to going on future retreats on which she teaches.
Thank you Free Spirit for providing such a well organised hassle free holiday. I'm looking forward to the next one!
Linda Hunt - October 2015
I'm sorry this is so late but I just wanted to say thank you for organising the holiday I went on in October. I had such a lovely time, Bev was fantastic. I throughly enjoyed the variation she brough to the classes, we had a great group which made for a fantastic holiday all round. I will definately be back! Thanks again
Michelle - October 2015
Just back from the most wonderful week at Grenadine Lodge , Dalyan with Sue Lovell- she is the
most wonderful teacher & it was a fabulous place to practice yoga- a lovely spot- &'thank you for all
the organisation- faultless!
Jo ( Levy) - September 2015
Hi there
I spent a week at Grenadine Lodge with Rachel Graham from 10th - 17th August. I wanted to let you know that it was a wonderful week with a mix of yoga, pilates and dance. The fusion of styles suited
me very well.
I already participate in classes with Rachel at Brockwell Lido, so am confident that she knows her stuff as a teacher. Spending the week with her however, was a whole new experience. She was so considerate to all our differing needs and abilities and went beyond the norm to make our retreat memorable and fun. She is so generous in the amount of care and time she is willing to give.
Grenadine Lodge and Dalyan was beautiful. So all in all I had a fantastic time.
Best wishes
Beverley - August 2015
Dear Jilly and Debbie
Although it was a month ago (my son's wedding intervened!) I still want to thank you for the wonderful holiday I had in Dalyan in August.
It was my first trip to Turkey and the holiday was excellent. I loved Grenadine Lodge. The staff were friendly and efficient, the food was delicious, the room had everything I wanted (including plenty of storage space and coat hangers, and a safe at no extra charge) and the gardens, yoga and dance spaces and tree house were delightful.
Rachel Graham was a brilliant teacher. Not only is she trained in yoga, pilates and dance but she is also very sensitive to the needs of individual participants and making classes fun for everyone, whether beginner or highly experienced. Likewise she discreetly checked that each of us was having a good holiday and helped with sorting problems, but also she welded the group together when that was appropriate.
I took advantage of all the trips. Boat trips are not usually my thing but Flipper-K was exceptionally clean and well-fitted and the crew kind and welcoming, so I enjoyed the 12 island trip very much. All in all I came home home wishing that I could have the whole holiday all over again, preferably with the same group of people!
Best wishes
Anne-Marie Braun - August 2015
Good Afternoon, I have just returned from a week at Grenadine Lodge, a Yoga/Pilates week. What a wonderful place. A totally relaxing feel to it, as soon as I walked in I had a great feeling about the place. It has a special ambiance.
Rachel our Teacher makes the class such fun you dont feel its a class at all! Though she makes you work hard its in a very chilled out way. The studio has a great location with beautiful views, what a wonderful place to do yoga/pilates in.
The food was so delicious, and though I'm not really vegetarian I thoroughly enjoyed the choice, at breakfast and dinner.
All in all a wondeful week, and I was sad to leave. I do hope Rachel will be teaching next year at Grenadine Lodge, as I hope to return.
Kind regards
Penny Haskins - August 2015
Hi Jilly, I just wanted to take the opportunity to let you know how much I enjoyed my recent holiday at grenadine lodge. This was my first time traveling alone, and I was quite nervous before going. As soon as I got to the hotel, however, I felt very welcome and included. Tracy was excellent at accomodating the classes to suit all differant levels, and each class felt unique and fun. I was never bored, and looked forward to each session with excitment. She incorporated relaxation seamlessly into the practice, and really worked with both mind and body. I'm so surprised at how quickly our group became close friends, and look forward to staying in touch with everyone. Hope to participate in another holiday with Tracy soon!
Best,
Jamie Piekarski - June 2015
Hi Jilly, I never normally feel moved enough to write a testimonial, but I have just returned from one of your trips and wanted to let you know what a wonderful time I had at Grenadine Lodge with Tracy teaching the yoga.
The whole trip was amazing, the hotel was beautifully peaceful and well kept and felt like a little sanctuary hidden away from the real world. Aygul and her staff were so friendly and nothing was too much trouble, they made you feel more like friends and family than a guest in a hotel, which was lovely.
The star of the show though was Tracy, she is divine. I have been a few yoga holidays before, but never have I come away feeling like I have formed a bond with someone or been so cared for. Unfortunately I have a back injury so could not partake in much of the yoga, but I never felt excluded or that I should not be in the class. Tracy also made the classes fun and adapted them to everybody's abilities and her meditation and relaxation in the evenings left you feel wholesome and nourished. I was sad to leave at the end of the week, although I have taken with me some great memories and a bunch of lovely new friends. I wanted to thank you for organising the holiday and I would definitely be keen to book again for next year. .
Kind regards Georgina - June 2015
Hi Debbie, just wanted to let you know that Grenadine Lodge was as pristine as ever, the food was excellent, and everything was very enjoyable. Plus, Anna Wolfenden is an exceptionally good teacher as well as being very nice and great fun. But you probably knew that already!
Best wishes David. May 2015
Hi,a bit late - but better than never, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the holiday, it was fab. Everything from Jude's teaching, to the trips, the massages, the food, the staff, the location, the other people in the group, was perfect :)
Thanks for organising it and for sorting out my extra couple of days. I'll be back!!
Lauren x Oct 2014
Dear Debbie and Jilly,I just wanted to thank you for your fabulous service.
The contact, information and booking of the holiday was extremely efficient and the information pack sent to me was spot on.
The Lodge was beautiful - well located just out of town. It was like a little Oasis. I think we benefited from the fact that it was the very end of the season so it was lovely and peaceful.
The staff were great; polite, very friendly, efficient and caring. It was like a family atmosphere. They clearly took great pride in delivering a very clean and tidy environment both inside and out and the facilities were great. Food? Well, how fantastic was that! and of course the Yoga, well it was perfectly planned and delivered. Jude was brilliant. Fellow yogis: I didn't know anyone else on the trip other than Jude so I lucked in with a great group - we all had a wonderful time.
Overall rating - I think it would be fair to say that all expectations were exceeded. 10 out of 10.
Thank you very much. I only hope that I can make it next year but already changes in my working life may prevent me - fingers crossed they won't. Kind regards
Monica October 2014
Hi, I just wanted to say how much my friend and I loved our holiday at Grenadine Lodge last week with Bev Fox.
The location was perfect, beautiful surroundings in the pomegranate plantation. Yoga every morning and evening looking out at lemon trees. Delicious food and lovely clean comfortable bedrooms. The staff were friendly and helpful.The yoga was really relaxing, a good mix of flowing poses and postures. I feel stronger and much more bendy! Bev was so kind and well organised.Our group was perfect too, I will miss them!
The trips out to the islands and mud baths were wonderful, a violent thunderstorm just adding to the fun! I will be back!
Many Thanks for a wonderful holiday, my best in ages!
Catherine Petherick Oct 2014
I have just returned from my first yoga retreat at the Grenadine Lodge, Dalyan and l want to say a big thank you for providing such a wonderfully organized holiday. The atmosphere at the lodge was very calm and relaxing and all the staff at the lodge made it a memorable experience. Beverly is a super teacher, her classes so well prepared ,catering for all the different levels of ability. She provided such a lovely ambience for us to practice our yoga in. The music and readings especially chosen by her, gave us an all round moving experience. Looking forward to the next retreat.
Barry October 2014
Hi Debbie,
My third visit to Grenadine lodge, and as good as ever, it does have that family feel to the place, and so easy therefore to make your own.
My first attempt at Kundalini, with my previous two years going with Diane Davis, but my diary wouldn't allow that this year hence a different discipline, but the yoga was great. Jane has a multitude of talents, speaks enthusiastically and with great conviction, this helped me with the spiritual side of matters, and I certainly travelled well on our guided meditations. Jane was equally aware that is was a holiday for us, and gave everyone a free license to skip some yoga sessions and enjoy the trips, but such was the ' likemindedness ' of our quickly bonded group there were few exceptions. Janes attention to detail did impress me, I got a little card and prezzie at the end which was such a lovely surprise.
The weather was brilliant for October, I've come back with a good tan, but more than that a warm glow on the inside which I can carry with me if the sun chooses not to shine on my world.
Thank you again for facilitating such a brilliant holiday for me.
Thanks & regards
John Ressell Oct 2014
Hi Jilly I just felt I needed to send you a quick email to let you know what a fantastic week I've had.
This was my first yoga holiday and also my first holiday on my own and I'll admit I was nervous and had my reservations but I had no need at all, it exceeded my expectations, the resort was simply stunning, and welcoming and Aygul and the staff were lovely.
But by far Jane Pollard was fantastic she took each and every one of us under her wing and looked after us making sure we were all ok and not left out or alone, the yoga was fantastic and the holiday was amazing I was sorry to come home. I can't wait for the next one that she does cause I'll be the first on the list.
Kind regards
Jo Kitching Sept 2014
HI
Just want to say thank you so much for organising this holiday. The hotel was a wonderful , relaxing place with amazing facilities and great food. The yoga with Patricia was fantastic - such a lovely lady. Dalyan is a gorgeous place with lots to see.
We are very tempted by Patricia's trip coming up in Kerala and have started saving !!
Thank you again.
Annie Stotesbury and Pauline Dumville Sept 2014
Hi there, I was at Grenadine Lodge with Nicolette Wilson at the beginning of July and I just wanted to say what a lovely week I had. The hotel, was wonderful, particularly the food, the staff and the pool area and gardens. Nicolette was a terrific teacher and as a yoga teacher myself, I felt I was in excellent hands.
I also wanted to say how great Jill was - the rep for Tamarisk Tourism. Very friendly, approachable and professional. The two excursions she set up for us, the 12 island trip and moonlight cruise were big highlights of the week.
Thank you so much. I look forward to yogaing through Free Spirit again soon.
With best wishes
ANDY August 2014
Dear Jilly and Debbie,
once again thank you for the wonderful holiday. Jacqueline was great, i really enjoyed her teaching.
Everybody at the Grenadine Lodge was nice and made my stay very comfortable.
Looking forward to my next holiday with Free Spirit.
take good care
Caterina August 2014
Iztutu beach is huge, very beautiful and within the national park. There are no buildings other than a cafe at each end with changing huts and sunbeds - it is a conservation area with extremely strict access rules to protect the turtles which nest there.
