Sealife Family Resort

Housed in three blue-and-white blocks overlooking the D400 road and Konyaalti Beach, the Sealife Family Resort Hotel is a simple all-inclusive property that offers resort-style amenities in an urban setting. About four-fifths of the property are occupied by the buildings, while the two large outdoor pools, the small water park, and the pool bar take up the remaining space. The grounds are compact, but the two-tier layout of the main pool deck maximizes the little outdoor space available. A private underpass connects the property to famous Konyaalti Beach, where the hotel provides a private area with a basic bar and a few dozen loungers and umbrellas. Everything here is more functional than stylish, from the restaurant to the beach bar and spa, but there is a bit of everything for all types of travelers, including meeting rooms, a kids’ club, and separate pools for quiet relaxation and activities. In the summer, the atmosphere is family-friendly and laid-back, with an entertainment program that offers pool games and evening shows, along with activities for kids and a half-hour mini-disco every night. In the winter, business travelers and sports teams fill the restaurant and the lobby. Sealife Family Resort Hotel is a decent pick for travelers wanting a resort-style vacation without breaking the bank, but couples seeking something more charming and closer to Antalya’s historic attractions may prefer the Alp Pasa Hotel. Families wanting a sandier beach may want to compare rates at the Ramada Resort Lara, which is about the same distance from the city center and has a more bustling atmosphere, a large beach club with a full entertainment program, and good food. The upscale Rixos Downtown Antalya is a good alternative in this same price range.

Sealife Family Resort Hotel is located right on the D400, the coastal highway running east to west all across the region. A private underpass connects the hotel directly to long, pebbly Konyaalti Beach, where guests can use loungers and umbrellas free of charge. There are several restaurants, bars, and cafes within easy walking distance of the hotel, and the nearest bus stop is just opposite the main entrance. The Antaya Aquarium is just a five-minute drive from the hotel, but other major attractions in the Old City are all about a 25-minute drive away, including Hadrian’s Gate, the harbor, and the Panoramic Elevator. The drive to Antalya Airport takes about 20 minutes. 

The hotel’s 240 air-conditioned rooms are spread over three blocks. Units in Block B were fully renovated in 2016, and feature simple decor in neutral hues, with carved wood headboard, and either beige or chocolate-brown walls. The rest of the rooms feel a tad dated and bland, but are expected to be fully renovated by mid-2018. For the time being, non-renovated units have basic blond-wood furniture, beige bed runners, and brown curtains with small flower designs. We saw the pilot rooms for the 2018 renovations during our visit, and they look fresher and more contemporary, with large mural photos of world landmarks, suede accents, and blue wallpaper with geometric patterns. All rooms have small balconies furnished with a couple of chairs and a small, low table. In-room amenities are decent for the price, and consist of free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges stocked with a couple of water bottles, LCD TVs with a few international channels, and safes. Electric kettles and irons are available on request. Bathrooms are clean and basic, with simple shower/tub combos (new units will have walk-in showers), beige tiles throughout, and wall-mounted hairdryers. Hand soap and two-in-one shower gel and shampoo are provided in all rooms. All units have a twin-size daybed for an additional guest, but larger families can choose from a range of room types, including Family Rooms, which are two connecting Standard units, to suites, the largest of which has enough beds for five guests.  

The Sealife Family Resort has three outdoor pools, including one for activities, a quieter one with direct access to a bar, and a small one with two slides. The Activity and Relax pools have a couple dozen padded loungers each, as well as a few umbrellas, while the small water park is located in the back of the hotel and opens for only a few hours each day. The indoor pool is small but pleasant, and has a separate kiddy pool and a whirlpool, as well as a bar and several loungers. A seasonal activities program is available for children 4 to 12, including a half-hour mini-disco every evening before the family-friendly shows. There is also a game room with arcade machines and pool and ping-pong tables. The spa is basic, but it offers a wide array of treatments, including Ayurveda, aromatherapy, body wraps and scrubs, hot stone massages, and salon services. Additionally, all guests get free access to a small hammam, sauna, steam room, and compact fitness center with a handful of cardio and strength-training machines. Sealife Family Resort Hotel offers a range of meal plans, from bed-and-breakfast to a basic all-inclusive rate that covers local drinks until midnight. Food is good, but there have been complaints that it can get monotonous after a few days. In addition to the main buffet restaurant, which opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, guests can grab a bite at the poolside snack bar for lunch. The two a la carte restaurants share a dining room and open on alternate nights. They served Mexican and Italian cuisine during our visit, but we were told there were plans to turn them into seafood and Ottoman restaurants in 2018.