Asteria Kremlin Palace

Opened in the early 2000s, the World of Wonders Kremlin Palace wows at first sight. The property was designed to resemble Moscow’s Red Square, complete with its own Kremlin Palace, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and State Historical Museum. Instead of czars and princesses, Russian, Iranian, Turkish, and British families fill its huge gardens and four buildings, and kids splash around in its massive main pool. The lobby looks straight out of a Russian palace, with huge ceilings featuring cross vaults, mustard-colored walls hung with oil paintings (some depicting scenes from Roman antiquity), and ornate golden chairs and couches with royal burgundy upholstery. In fact, the lobby has been the set of several TV shows and movies, one of which was being filmed during our visit. Despite the resort’s sprawling grounds, the action during the day centers around the main deck, home to a huge pool with music and activities, hundreds of loungers, and several bars. It can feel a little crowded at times, and the lack of an adult-only section means that those seeking some peace and quiet may find it hard to relax around the pool. Instead, the beach is the place to go for some R&R. It has several rows of loungers under green awnings, and one of its two piers is lined with thatched cabanas, complete with food and drink service (all for a fee). The Kremlin Palace is aesthetically striking (some may find it a little too over-the-top), but it doesn’t quite deliver the level of luxury it hints at on a first impression. Beyond the lobby and the restaurants -- which have well-designed themed decor matching the cuisine served -- its other common areas are just average. The loud pop music played in the fitness center carries to the spa’s reception area, hallways show quite some wear and tear, and the many extra fees (for the kids’ carnival rides, for Wi-Fi, for some a la carte restaurants) may make some guests feel nickel-and-dimed. All of this leaves many guests with mixed impressions of their experience. The resort may appeal to families more interested in a fun, active vacation than in style and five-star luxury. But those seeking more upscale amenities and newer rooms may want to compare rates at its neighboring sister property World of Wonders Topkapi Palace. Sentido Zeynep Golf & Spa and Sherwood Breezes Resort are both more modern and serene, and have cheaper rates. In this price point, Hotel Baia Lara, Bellis Deluxe Hotel, and Spice Hotel & Spa offer better bang for your buck. 

The hotel is located in a somewhat secluded beachfront area east of Antalya, between the sea and the coastal road that connects the seaside resort areas to the airport and the city center. The WOW Kremlin Palace is surrounded by a few dozen similar properties, but there are no shops or restaurants within walking distance. In the area north and northeast of the hotel, large greenhouses line both sides of the road, and rural villages with a handful of homes each sprawl over the area between the resort and the D-400 highway. This location feels a little remote, but it offers easy access to the airport, located less than 25 minutes away. Public buses to Antalya stop just a short walk from the hotel. 

Rooms at the WOW Kremlin Palace are decorated in a white and red color scheme, with wall-to-wall carpet, pastel pink walls, and thick golden curtains. While this style may have once been elegant and stylish, the overall feel of rooms now is a tad dated and basic. Red tufted headboards and bed runners are the only elements that add some color and texture to the otherwise plain white wood furniture. Rooms are well-equipped with central air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with channels for kids, free minibars replenished daily, safes, and electric kettles. Wi-Fi, though, is not free (a rarity in all-inclusive resorts) and only Deluxe Rooms and suites have robes. Sheets are changed every other day, but there have been complaints of sloppy housekeeping.At 247 square feet, rooms with three beds may feel a little tight, but there are also more spacious Family Rooms and suites, some of which can sleep up to four. Junior Royal Suites and King Royal Suites have a more ornate decor style, with parquet floors in the living room, an earth tone palette, heavy drapes, and baroque furniture with golden accents. About 15 percent of hotel’s 847 rooms have sea views, and all feature big windows that open onto balconies with plastic furniture. Bathrooms are a little subpar for the price, with basic shower/tub combos (or walk-in showers in renovated rooms), off-white tiling throughout, and veined countertops. Toiletries are provided in large wall-mounted containers, along with extras such as cotton swabs, hygienic bags, and combs. 

The WOW Kremlin Palace is located on a fine sand beach with several rows of loungers, long awnings for shade, and water sports (for a fee). Two piers offer additional seating, including thatched cabanas with waiter service and free snacks that guests can rent for a daily fee. Those looking for something more bustling can sit around the huge main pool, which is ringed by hundreds of loungers and umbrellas. There is music during the day, and the daily entertainment program includes pool activities such as aqua aerobics, water polo, games, and contests. The main water park opens a few hours a day, and there is a big, round kiddy pool with three other waterslides for children under 12. The kids’ club has a big playground with sand and slides, and there are daily activities both indoors and outdoors for kids of all ages. The large arcade, complete with a wide array of coin-operated machines, a bowling alley, and pool tables, keeps teens entertained in the evening (for a fee).The spa offers a wide array of massages and treatments, including Thai and deep-tissue rubs, facials, and wellness packages for couples. All treatments are an extra charge, but guests get free access to a Turkish bath, a sauna, and a steam room. Music from the gym located in a lofted area above the spa carries to the reception area, which can be a little off-putting. The indoor pool is heated in the winter and has a huge retractable skylight for warmer days. There is a squash court adjacent to the fitness center, and guests can also book one of the hotel’s on-site tennis courts; lessons and floodlights are available for a fee. The hotel also features extensive meeting space with audiovisual equipment for up to 3,000 guests, a few carnival rides for kids (for a fee), and free Wi-Fi in the lobby. 

As would be expected of a large all-inclusive, the hotel offers a wide array of dining options. There are six restaurants on-site, including a large buffet and five a la cartes. The buffet generally gets good reviews (although some guests complain that it lacks variety), but the dining room, due to the sheer volume of guests dining at any given time, can get a little chaotic and loud. The a la carte restaurants are only open for dinner and focus on Italian, Mexican, Turkish, fish, and sushi dishes. Guest can have dinner once per week at the themed restaurants, but there is an extra charge for some. Additionally, there are several other dining and drinking options open during the day, including a lounge housed in a tent and serving traditional Turkish snacks, a beachside bar with small bites, a bakery, and a 24-hour lobby bar.