Aska Lara Resort & Spa

Like many of the resorts lining this stretch of the Mediterranean, the Aska Lara is huge. The vibe, though, is distinctly more high end than many other all-inclusive holiday spots in the area, and design throughout is quite stylish and contemporary. The spacious, airy lobby features several seating areas throughout, and has a bustling, almost mall-like atmosphere. There are colorful light fixtures and pillows, a vibrantly patterned marble floor, a distinctive Ottoman gazebo in the center of the room, and plenty of shimmering mirrors and wood tones adding to the glitzy effect. The hotel is an all-inclusive destination, and as such there are countless places for guests to gather, as many don't leave the resort. This includes multiple restaurants, ranging from the casual buffets at Anka -- a laid-back venue with natural wood, soft colors, and handsome stone accents -- to Mandarin, the popular a la carte Chinese restaurant with a design scheme that matches the cuisine. There are plenty of kid-friendly spots in the hotel, too, from the off-site Wet 'n Wild zone to the kids' pool, though adults can lounge in cabanas on the beach or by the relatively tranquil main pool. Guests here are mostly German, Russian, and British families, though couples stay as well. Expect crowds in most public areas in high season. 

The Aska Lara Resort & Spa is in Lara, a hotel-filled district just outside of Antalya. There are countless mega-resorts in any direction from the hotel, as well as shopping malls, though most guests make do with the Aska Lara's self-contained offerings. The beach is across the road, and while guests may walk there, the hotel does offer a free shuttle throughout the day. The Antalium Premium Mall is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, while Antalya old town (Kaleici) is a 35-minute drive. The old town has many ancient sights, ruins, shops, and cafes, and is also home to the Antalya Archaeological Museum, which is great for history buffs. The Perge ruins are a 30-minute drive from the hotel as well, while the scenic Duden Waterfalls are 15-minutes away by car. The hotel is close to Antalya's airport -- it takes 20 minutes to reach by car or taxi.

Unlike many other resorts in the area -- where guest rooms have an over-the-top, gaudy look -- the rooms here are sophisticated and bit more restrained in style. Yes, there are shimmery fabrics. Yes, there's a healthy dose of goldenrod-toned damask. But the overall effect feels legitimately high-end, rather than cheaply luxurious. The look is similar across all room categories, with light wood laminate floors, contemporary white veneer furniture, and chairs and couches with classic lines that are upholstered in attractive neutral tones. All air-conditioned rooms have free minibars (restocked daily) as well as flat-screen TVs, sofa beds, and coffeemakers. Most rooms have balconies and some offer beautiful sea views. Not every room is large, though, and some Standard Rooms only come in at 18 square meters of space (86 square feet). Suites provide additional space, including separate bedrooms and handsome wood-framed hot tubs in some units. Modern dark gray marble bathrooms have walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads as well as light marble sinks with wooden vanities and spacious countertops. Toiletries and slippers are provided.

With nine waterslides, a water playground, and theme park rides, Wet ’n Wild zone is the highlight of the resort for those traveling with children. The park offers a splash pad with dumping buckets and spraying features as well as zip line and rope trails. There is a free shuttle provided to Wet 'n Wild since the park is located off site. The resort’s private sandy beach, also located off site and accessible by shuttle, is lined with lounge chairs and cabanas. The park and beach can get crowded in high season. On-site pools include an indoor pool, outdoor pool with slides, two kids' pools, and an outdoor heated pool. All are covered in blue tile, and have highly coveted lounge chairs, which are typically reserved early in the morning.

Massages, manicures and pedicures, and body treatments are offered at the full-service Swan Spa & Wellness, along with a large Turkish Bath, green tile steam room, and sauna. An attached fitness center offers a variety of cardio and weight machines plus free weights. All-inclusive plans are available for the many restaurants and bars on site, including eight restaurants (four of which are a la carte and cost extra for all-inclusive plans) and eight bars. Turkish, Italian, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines are featured along with 24-hour room service; however, restaurants and bars can be extremely crowded.

Several free kids' clubs are available for different age groups along with kid-friendly features such as a soccer field and carnival rides (rides are located near Wet 'n Wild). A bowling alley and arcade games as well as game consoles and a pool table are provided at the arcade, and there is a movie theater plus live entertainment. Many meeting rooms and a 24-hour business center are provided in addition to free Wi-Fi. Guests should keep in mind that despite the all-inclusive rates for some bookings, certain features are seasonal including the kids' clubs, outdoor pools, and Wet’n Wild; others are subject to additional charges.