Crystal Sunset Luxury Resort & Spa

For travelers with a particular idea of luxury, the Crystal Sunset fits the bill -- almost every aspect of this resort goes big, from the huge chandelier, exuberantly patterned marble floors, and shiny details in the lobby to the water park and nearly one dozen restaurant offerings. It's all a bit gaudy, to be honest, and there's plenty of velvet upholstery throughout the hotel's large lobby. There are Ottoman domes crowning the building and Turkish archways throughout, and guests should expect a hectic and busy ambience in almost every corner of the property. There is a wealth of places for guests to gather, linger, socialize, and have fun, from the restaurants -- which range from casual buffets to adults-only, upscale venues -- to the sprawling outdoor pools and water park that's tailor-made for kids. In the spa, iridescent and vibrant tiles accent neutral tones to create a modern, striking space. The hotel draws lots of families with young children, so expect to see lots of kids running around.

The Crystal Sunset Luxury Resort & Spa is in Side, with similar hotels, shopping centers, and souvenir shops about a minute's walk outside of the hotel's front gate. The resort is about a 10-minute walk to the beach -- the hotel provides a free beach shuttle service -- while history buffs can find the Temple of Apollo and Athena about 10 minutes away by car in Side's old town. There's also a large Roman amphitheater about the same distance from the hotel. Manavgat city center is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, while the Nashira Aquapark and Manavgat Falls are 20-minutes away by car. Both the Antalya Airport and Perga are about an hour's drive from the hotel, and downtown Antalya is an hour and 10 minutes away.

Spacious, polished rooms feel refined, if a bit gaudy like the hotel's common spaces, with wood laminate floors in contemporary shades and detailed metalwork over the lights. Tones throughout the rooms are brown, and there are plenty of shimmery accents, arabesque flourishes, and patterns throughout. Floral paintings on the walls pop, and have a vaguely expressionistic quality to them. Light wood veneer and white furniture has a contemporary mod quality to it. All rooms have air-conditioning and furnished balconies, and some have lovely sea views. Free minibars are restocked daily, and flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers also come standard. Modern bathrooms, like the rooms, are decorated in shades of brown and white, with an iridescent tile accent wall and eye-catching mosaic tiling. Big walk-in tile showers (there are no bathtubs) have rainfall showerheads, and bathrooms include magnifying mirrors, slippers, and toiletries. Family Rooms and Suites are available with additional, separate sleeping areas. There have been numerous complaints about housekeeping, and though it's technically offered every day, it's not always up to par.

The outdoor water park features 11 waterslides (one resembles a king cobra snake) as well as water jungle gyms with dumping buckets and a kids' pool. The adults-only outdoor pool and large main outdoor pool are covered in blue tile, with a large yacht positioned in the main pool from which drinks are served. There's a large indoor pool and kids' pool, and several tan lounge chairs. There is no beach on site, but the hotel does run a free shuttle to one in town.Food, drinks, and snacks are included in the rate at this all-inclusive property, with one main buffet restaurant, which can get crowded, and 10 other restaurants serving Asian, Mediterranean, and Turkish cuisines. Room service, for an extra fee, operates 24-hours, and there are 10 bars on-site as well. Be aware that certain restaurants require reservations, and some are adults-only.Massages, body treatments, and facials are offered at the full-service spa, which also has a salt room, steam room, Turkish bath, and sauna. The attached fitness center has a range of cardio and weight machines, plus free weights. Kid-friendly amenities include the free kids' clubs for different age groups, live shows and music, movies, mini-golf, and bowling (some of these activities cost extra). Tennis, ping-pong, and yoga are also available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.