Akra

Akra Barut feels every bit the big upscale resort that it is, tucked down a long driveway and sitting on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Rooms are spread over two buildings, with only the main building housing the features like the restaurants, spa, and fitness center, so guests staying in the Park Building may feel removed from the action. The lobby and restaurant are built to feel modern and airy, with picture windows looking out on the main attraction -- the blue water this “Turquoise Coast” is famous for and the mountains behind it. Guests who come to stay at the Akra Barut are a mix of families, honeymooners, and those here for an event like wedding or conference, which the hotel is known for hosting in its many in-house venues. 

Akra Barut is one of many large resorts in Antalya, the region on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey called the “Turquoise Coast” for its azure waters. The hotel is perched right on the coastline, and is close to Antalya's old town, which is also known as Kaleici. There are a few sites there that might be interesting to tourists on a rainy day, like the Ataturk House & Museum and a clocktower, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by car. The hotel has private access to the sea, but because the “beach” at the hotel is actually a concrete platform guests may be interested in visiting one of the region’s sandy beaches, like popular Lara Beach, which is about 20 minutes away by car. Antalya Airport is a 20-minute car ride away, and there are dozens of daily 80-minute flights to Istanbul every day.

The 471 rooms at Akra Barut are modern and bright, and furnishings are a mix of crisp whites, beiges, and light-colored wood. Most have balconies with seating for viewing the fantastic, almost panoramic views of both mountains and sea (from many rooms). It’s worth noting that the hotel is spread over two buildings, the main Akra Barut and then its sister property the Akra Barut Park which houses only rooms -- all of the hotel’s common amenities are located in the main building. There have been general complaints that the walls are a bit thin and therefore noise between rooms can be an issue, which can feel especially frustrating in a hotel of this scale. In terms of size, rooms range from 34 square meters (365 square feet) up to 210 square meters (2200 square feet) in the Penthouse Suite. There are also “family” rooms that adjoin, which is great for groups. All rooms have minibars, desks, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, safes, air-conditioning, and coffee and tea-making facilities -- most have at least an armchair, if not a full seating area. Bathrooms are simple but stylish, done in a mix of white marble and glass, with walk-in rainfall showers. Toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers are provided.

Akra Barut has all of the facilities for both entertainment and convenience that one would expect from a big Antalya resort. At the top of the list are the four swimming pools, including one for kids, an adult-only infinity pool, an indoor/outdoor pool, and a main pool for all. The hotel also has its own private access to the sea via some steep, rainbow-painted steps and a large concrete platform. The space is filled with lounge furniture and umbrellas, and has been landscaped with stone walls and vegetation, but guests should be aware that there isn’t a typical sandy beach there. The pool/beach bar and restaurant is substantial in size, with a large terrace and sea views. Inside the hotel is a main restaurant and bar serving Turkish and international cuisine. A huge breakfast buffet is available here for an additional fee, or can be included in certain packages. The quality of food overall gets mixed reviews. 

Guests will find no shortage of options for having fun and staying entertained at Akra Barut. There’s an outdoor tennis court, and the hotel can set up activities like horseback riding, windsurfing, and waterskiing. Children have access to a kids' club and playground. A beautiful spa provides various treatments, plus an authentic Turkish bath, indoor whirlpool, and more. The fitness center is really a full-scale gym and has everything for a complete workout. There are over a dozen meeting rooms for events from small business conferences to large-scale weddings. And for conveniences, the hotel has a convenience store, gift shop, ATM, and full-service concierge who can arrange shuttles, tours, and more. Parking is free as is Wi-Fi, both in rooms and common areas.