Found where the Taurus mountains meet the sea, the Turkish city of Antalya is the fastest-growing area in the country. Visitors can explore Roman ruins, hike high forests, experience traditional hospitality and swim in the turquoise bays of the southern Mediterranean. And here are the best places to stay as you discover this beautiful destination.
Kempinski The Dome
Kempinski The Dome features unique architecture and exotic Seljuk-style design along with unobstructed beachfront vistas. Found in the Belek area of Antalya, this region is gathering international renown in the golf community, withThe Pasha and PGA Sultan 18-hole-Championship Golf Courses on the doorstep. The hotel has 158 rooms, five villas, several pools, a jacuzzi, water-sports, three tennis courts, a huge Thalasso Spa with an indoor pool and a kids club. It’s all-inclusive with a host of dining options: a Trader’s Spice Restaurant, the Palm Pavilion Bar & Grill, Lale restaurant, Cilantro restaurant, cafe, patisserie and two upmarket bars.
Rixos Premium Belek
Just along the oceanfront from Kempinski The Dome, and 50km from the city centre, is Rixos Premium Belek, occupying the largest section of private beach in the area. A great choice for families, there’s a kids club, playground, several massive pools, two-bedroomed suites, inter-connecting rooms and free entry to the nearby Land of Legends theme and water park. All part of the all-inclusive deal. Couples can enjoy the adult-only areas for a more peaceful stay and the privacy of a deluxe swim-up suite. Meals can be taken buffet-style in one of two eateries, or in a choice of three a la carte steak house, Italian and Turkish restaurants. In addition, the resort has eight bars and a full programme of activities excursions and classes.
Titanic Mardan Palace
Fairytale turrets evoking the ancient Ottoman Empire, a village-like atmosphere and a wealth of five-star amenities set the Titanic Mardan Palace apart. If you like your resorts big and starry, then this is the place for you. The hotel has 560 stunning rooms, 35 places to eat and drink, a giant kids’ club (including its own splash park), a spa retreat, tennis court, golf club, and enormous wraparound pool with a sunken aquarium containing over 2000 fish. Food is available 24 hours a day, and guests are treated to special touches, such as champagne and strawberries on arrival. Built by Azerbaijani businessman Telman Ismailov and designed with regal splendour, its opening was attended by the likes of Mariah Carey, Kendall Jenner, Sharon Stone, Richard Gere, Monica Bellucci, Paris Hilton, Seal and Tom Jones. Not only is this one of the finest places to stay in Antalya, but it’s also among the best hotels in the Mediterranean, reserved for travellers with a luxury budget.
Gloria Serenity Resort
Surrounded by fragrant pine forests of Belek and beside a private beach, a stay at the Gloria Serenity Resort promises relaxation and glamour in equal quantities. Highlights include an ozone-treated seawater wraparound pool spanning the length of the property, access to three top golf courses, a selection of floodlit clay tennis courts, a chic spa, high-quality live entertainment and free entry to a charming local zoo. The 369 rooms are separated into eight different accommodation types, while the resort’s kitchens provide an international range of cuisines served buffet-style and a la carte. Gloria Serenity’s on-site convention centre and spacious meeting rooms make it popular for those travelling on business, as well as pleasure.