Delphin Diva Premiere

Despite its distinctive rooftop towers and large, stately portico entrance, the Delphin Diva Premiere gives a first impression that's imposing rather than striking. Stepping into the mostly-white lobby, however, swathes of polished marble and shimmering metallic trim create a sense of upscale elegance. Neoclassical columns and sleek, low-profile-design furnishings, such as neutral leather sofas, mix refined chic with urbane cool. Smaller sibling to the neighboring Delphin Imperial, this 390-room property is set in beautifully tended, landscaped gardens awash with colorful flowerbeds, tropical plants, and manicured lawns cut through with paths that lead past spacious pool terraces to the hotel's sandy beach. This all-inclusive resort hotel attracts mostly families and older couples, being particularly popular with Europeans (mostly Germans and Brits) as well as Russian vacationers. Some Brits complain that the staff caters more to the German crowd. A dedicated adult-only pool and section in the main restaurant help ensure that couples without children can enjoy some peace, but families are the focus and the vibe overall is more of fun and activity than rest and relaxation. Expect a rollerskating waitstaff serving drinks by the pools, loud music, sunbeds that get snagged early, a popular weekly foam party on the beach -- you get the picture. Reports of small and slow elevators can make getting to and from rooms frustrating during busier times. Sister property Delphin Imperial is larger and grander, but some find it more impersonal than the Diva. 

The hotel is located in the district of Lara set between a long stretch of sandy beach and main coastal highway that connects to the popular Turkish resort area of Antalya. Set overlooking the Mediterranean on Turkey's south coast, the property is surrounded by similar hotels, shopping malls, and souvenir shops, though not much in the way of restaurants and bars beyond those on-site. The location does makes for easy access to Antalya Airport -- 15 minutes away by car -- while the hotel also offers a free shuttle service to downtown Antalya, which takes about half an hour. 

The hotel has 390 rooms, all of which are decorated in fresh modern tones with splashes of colorful wall art, mirrored paneling, and pale wood-effect flooring. All open to small furnished balconies, many with views over the gardens and out towards the Mediterranean. Air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, safes, kettles, and fairly well-stocked minibars all come as standard, while bathrooms provide large stall showers, wall-mounted hairdryers, telephones, and no-frills toiletries. Families are well-catered for, as accommodations with up to five beds are available, though most rooms are relatively small compared to other properties. Also, some Family Duplex Rooms are situated above the delivery area, so can be quite noisy in the early morning, while rooms overlooking the main pool can be prone to nightly noise from poolside entertainment. 

The hotel has pretty much all the facilities and entertainment one would expect from a luxury, all-inclusive resort hotel. There are four pools, including the main lagoon-style pool lined with loungers and daybeds, one pool with three water slides, and another indoor pool with kids' splash pool and hot tub -- though none with a swim-up bar and all are unheated for most of the year. The Relax Pool is allegedly only for older teens and adults, though we spotted children there as well during our visit. The hotel's beach also provides plenty of space for guests together with a pier and beach bar. There are six restaurants -- including five a al carte (reservations required) and one buffet -- and 10 bars where guests can enjoy all-inclusive food and drink throughout the day, and room service is free from midnight to 6 a.m. While food is generally decent, the quality can be inconsistent across eateries, which range from Chinese fusion to Italian.The little ones can be kept amused at the kids' club (ages 4 to 12) while evening entertainment includes live music, shows, and even a weekly foam party on the beach (which can get noisy). More sedate experiences can be found in the hotel spa, offering traditional Turkish bath, sauna, Russian and Finnish sauna, and a range of massage treatments.  

The hotel's optional all-inclusive plan covers buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main restaurant, as well as one meal per stay in one of the five a la carte eateries. Snacks including ice cream and cakes are also provided in the afternoon at the poolside and beach bars. A range of mostly locally produced alcoholic and soft drinks are also included (as well as some international brands) while fresh juice is available in the vitamin bar. In-room minibars are restocked daily with soft drinks, beer, and water, and room service is free from midnight to 6 a.m. Many activities -- such as aquaerobics, tennis, and volleyball -- and evening entertainment, along with use of the gym and sauna are also included. Plastic wrist bands are required.