Delphin Imperial Hotel Lara

Opened in 2012 as the biggest and arguably the most striking hotel of Delphin Group, the Imperial certainly makes quite an impression on arrival. Four shimmering Chrysler Building-style towers set the tone for this glitzy Vegas-type hotel that draws inspiration from everything from Art Deco to Alice in Wonderland. Interiors are a riot of plush purple velvet, flamboyant antique-style furnishings, and polished marble, while chess-related touches such as black-and-white tile floors introduce a playful vibe. A vast central balconied atrium is lined with glass capsule elevators that soar through the hotel's nine floors, the space illuminated by an enormous and dazzling centerpiece chandelier that looks like a nest of golden strings. From the hotel's expansive 13-acre gardens, the undulating architecture appears like a cruise liner, while a complex of pools are lined by palm trees and tiled walkways that lead down to the hotel's sandy beach. Clientele comprises a mixture of mostly European, British, and Russian families with kids, and vacationing couples on package holidays. 

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 of Antalya. Set overlooking the Mediterranean on Turkey's south coast, the property is surrounded by similar hotels, shopping malls, and souvenir shops, though there's not much in the way of restaurants and bars beyond those on-site. The location does make for easy access to Antalya Airport -- 15 minutes away by car -- and the hotel also offers a free shuttle service to downtown Antalya, which takes about half an hour. 

The hotel has 650 rooms, most of which are decorated in smart, contemporary styling with an Art Deco flavor and clean-lined furnishings, wood veneer floors, and Fornasetti-print fabrics. Rooms also open to furnished balconies, some with sea views, while Lagoon Rooms -- as well as having high ceilings and a more classical feel with jewel-tone pops of color -- have terraces with exclusive pool access. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free minibars (part of the all-inclusive plan), and tea/coffee facilities, while clean, contemporary bathrooms have wall-mounted hairdryers, walk-in showers, and pump-dispenser toiletries. Family Rooms also have two separate bedrooms, and a range of baby-related amenities -- including baby bathing tubes, potties, baby shampoos, feeding bottle heaters, and organic baby formulas -- are available on request. 

As would be expected from a high-end, all-inclusive resort, the hotel offers a particularly broad range of facilities and dining options. The main free-form swimming pool is huge and there are separate pools for kids as well as eight waterslides (five for adults and three for children). There are nine restaurants spread across the property -- ranging from Italian and traditional Turkish fare to French and Far Eastern -- as well as nine bars including pool bar, lobby bar, and one serving the hotel's bowling lanes. Poolside service is provided by a rollerskating waitstaff. There's an impressive selection of stuff to keep the children entertained, from mini-club (for ages four to 12), teens' club (for ages 13 and 14), a mini disco, games rooms, playgrounds, and even a kids' cinema. Evening entertainment is also put on for the grown ups -- including beach foam parties -- while the hotel spa provides Turkish bath and an extensive menu of massage treatments (though the spa itself could use a makeover). A range of sporting facilities are also on hand including tennis, archery, and basketball. Wi-Fi is available though coverage is limited and speed is slow. 

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 eight a la carte eateries. Snacks including waffles, candyfloss, and ice cream are also provided in the afternoon while Sunday brunch includes Champagne. A range of mostly locally produced alcoholic and soft drinks are also included (as well as some international brands) while fresh orange juice is served at breakfast. In-room minibars are restocked daily with soft drinks, beer, and water, as well as nuts and chocolate. Just note that a la carte restaurant reservations must be made a day in advance, and some guests have difficulty getting a table. Room service is 24-hour and late-night orders (midnight to six a.m.) are covered by the all-inclusive plan.