Ramada Resort by Wyndham Lara

Set a little away from the beach, the Ramada Resort Lara is a simple, upper-middle-range property that packs all the amenities expected of a larger resort into a compact area. Due to the grounds’ small size, the hotel can feel crowded at peak times, especially in the restaurant and around the pool, but most guests head to the hotel’s great beach club (located just a seven-minute walk, or three-minute free shuttle ride away) during the day. Still, the atmosphere is bustling, with loud pool games, lots of foot traffic in the lobby, and dozens of loungers crammed together on the main deck. The beach club is no quieter, as it is shared with two other sister properties and features a wide array of fun things to do, including sports facilities and a full entertainment program. The Ramada hotel chain is mostly known for its business properties with straightforward decor and amenities catering to those traveling for work. However, the Ramada Resort Lara has a more family-friendly vibe, and the lobby has a few nice accents that make it pleasant and inviting, such as minimalist wooden tables, white lattice ornaments on walls, and big, plush couches and tufted ottomans. The main restaurant is contemporary, if generic, with white chairs around big wooden tables, and ceiling moldings with recessed lighting. Next-door sister property Lara Family Club is virtually a carbon copy of the hotel, but rates are a few dollars cheaper. Food, however, is a little better at the Ramada Resort Lara. Travelers seeking something quieter may want to compare rates at the more upscale IC Hotels Green Palace, while those wanting something even more luxurious may prefer the Barut Lara. 

The hotel is located right on the main thoroughfare running through Lara, a busy beachfront area just east of Antalya. This part of town is packed with big family-friendly resorts, and there are lots of shops catering to tourists, including many selling counterfeit items, such as purses, clothes, and shoes. The hotel owns a long stretch of beach a five- to 10-minute walk down the street, and offers free three-minute shuttle service every 15 minutes to its beach club. Several top local attractions, including Antalya’s old town and the Perge archaeological site, can be reached in about 30 minutes, while the Duden Waterfalls are just a 15-minute drive away. Belek’s many renowned golf courses are all within a 20-minute drive of the hotel, as is Antalya International Airport.

The hotel’s 396 rooms are clean and contemporary, albeit generic, featuring clean-lined blond-wood furniture, off-white walls hung with abstract artwork, laminate floors, and aquamarine bed runners and pillows with flowery designs. Glass doors open onto small furnished balconies with expansive (if uninspiring) views of the surrounding buildings. In some rooms, the sea can be seen in the distance between the beachfront hotels. We could clearly hear the activities taking place in the pool from our room during the day, but most of the evening entertainment is held at the beach club, which means nights are quiet.Amenities are good for the price, and include 32-inch flat-screen TVs with international channels, safes, electric kettles with free tea and coffee, and free minibars stocked with soda, water, and beer (all replenished daily at no extra charge). Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but it seems to log guests out after a few minutes if it isn’t being used, which can get annoying. Bathrooms are clean and modern, with shower stalls, vessel sinks over black marble-like counters and wooden vanities, and off-white veined tiles throughout. Hairdryers and toiletries are also provided.Standard Rooms are outfitted with two twin beds and can sleep up to two adults and a child, while Superior units have a double bed and a twin. The 753-square-foot (70-square-meter) Family Suites feature two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a spacious living area with a sofa bed.  

The beach club is definitely the hotel’s highlight. It is directly on a lovely stretch of sand, and features not only many loungers, serviced cabanas (for a fee), and a quiet pier, but also a large snack restaurant, two bars, tennis courts, a soccer field, and a large stage for evening shows and daily activities. The all-inclusive package covers all food during the day and into the night, including all snacks both in the hotel and at the beach club, and one dinner per seven-night stay at one of the a la carte eateries, which include Mexican, Italian, Asian, Ottoman, and fish. The main restaurant serves a large, decent spread, but the dining room can be feel overcrowded during peak season. Food was better in variety, quality, and taste than at sister property Lara Family Club. Only local drinks are free with the all-inclusive package. A single large pool is on-site, half of which is covered and can be heated in the colder months. There are lots of loungers on the main deck, and the atmosphere is always bustling, with tons of kids running around, and some pool games and activities. The adjacent water park, complete with four slides, opens only a few hours per day. There is a cute kiddy pool with water features and a few small slides next to the kids’ club, which offers many activities for children of all ages, and has a playground with soft floors. There’s an additional kids’ club at the beach. Guests can use the hammam, sauna, steam room, and relaxation room at the spa free of charge, but all massages and body treatments are an extra fee. The fitness center houses a wide range of cardio and strength-training machines.