Fame Residence Lara & SPA

This family-friendly, all-inclusive hotel is a high-rise property with an attractive curved frontage. Inside, the lobby is elegant and reaches all the way up to the 10th floor. It has a mix of mosaic-style and busily floral-patterned black, white, and brown marble-effect flooring, alongside imposing cream pillars. There’s a wood carving on the front desk, and a separate old-fashioned switchboard desk. The lobby bar, with cream carpet and armchairs in the lounge area, achieves a much cozier look. Large windows let in natural light, and there’s a pleasant outdoor deck for gathering. The grounds are fairly green and well-kept, with lovely raised wooden walkways through parts, and attractive pools sport bridges and palm tree islands.

The Fame Residence is surrounded by a number of similar hotels, sandwiched between a busy road and the seafront of Lara Beach. There are several shopping malls within walking distance, but few restaurants, bars, or other attractions.

• Eight-minute walk to Sultan Bazaar and Akkapark shopping malls
• 12-minute walk to Myra shopping mall
• 17 minutes to Antalya Airport and Duden Waterfalls by car
• 26 minutes to Kursunlu Waterfalls by car
• 31 minutes to Antalya city center by car
• 36 minutes to Antalya Museum by car
• 40 minutes to Kaleici Marina by car

Rooms are generally smart and elegant, if a tad generic. There are white walls, brown floral-patterned carpets, and tall, wood-framed brown fabric headboards, complemented by cream throws and bed skirts. Freestanding tan-wood bedside tables sit beneath slightly dated wall lamps, and large windows have white net curtains and beige blackout curtains. There are also tan-wood desks, modern closets with sliding doors. Small, fairly narrow balconies have simple outdoor furniture (balconies are larger in pricier rooms, but that makes them look more sparsely furnished). Many rooms have pleasant pool and sea views.

Amenities include flat-screen cable TVs, phones, free Wi-Fi, safes, sparsely stocked minibars (there’s no liquor), and coffee- and tea-making facilities.

Handsome, contemporary bathrooms sport white and black or brown floors and wall tiling, tan-wood vanities with suspended sinks, and shower/tub combos with power showerheads. Robes, slippers, hairdryers, and miniature toiletries are provided.

Family Deluxe Rooms sport modern cream sofa beds and armchairs. Family Elite Rooms add small twin bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms featuring shower stalls. Duplex-style family rooms are also available. Suites and King Suites have kitchenettes, and the priciest King Suites come with hot tubs.

Past guests have reported that some rooms are small, beds can be uncomfortable, and thin walls can be an issue. On our visit, we also picked up strong, unpleasant smells of cleaning products in some rooms.

Features here focus on families. The numerous pools are the highlight: there’s an indoor pool with sunbeds, and attractive, snaking outdoor pools include a kids’ pool with waterslides, a lap pool, and a smaller relaxation pool. There are also plenty of sunbeds, umbrellas, and cabanas by the pools and on the beach.

The resort is all-inclusive with all rates. The main indoor/outdoor restaurant serves international breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets. Five additional a la carte restaurants (reservations required) offer Chinese, Italian, Mexican, and Turkish cuisine, plus seafood. The restaurants get mixed reviews, as do the five bars (including a lobby bar, sports bar, and nightclub). Past guests report a limited drinks selection and additional charges for many drinks. Poolside drinks and snacks are available, and there’s 24-hour room service for a fee.

The spa offers a range of pleasant treatments, plus a sauna, steam room, and Turkish bath. The large gym is fully equipped with cardio and weight equipment, and there are tennis courts, basketball courts, ping-pong, and billiards facilities. A kids’ club, and popular daytime and evening entertainment keep everyone busy. Six meeting rooms can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, and both Wi-Fi and parking are free.