Kaya Palazzo Golf Resort

The Kaya Palazzo Golf Resort caters to a variety of travelers, with a wonderful golf course, tons of family-friendly options, and a large convention center known for having hosted some of the 2015 G20 summit meetings. The hotel is visually impressive inside and out, and has lots of modern designer touches that lend it a swish feel. The lobby is particularly striking, with whimsical black seating under a huge skylight, and a beautiful bar outfitted with big tufted couches in burnt orange hues, plush brown rugs, and huge windows overlooking the grounds. The outdoors have an equally grand feel. Pretty, manicured lawns wrap around big, freeform pools (one of which is surrounded by fine white sand brought in from the Maldives), while a long bridge running all through the pools takes guests directly from the lobby to the hotel’s lovely beach, complete with a pier, many loungers, and cabanas.The hotel shares a huge plot of land with its somewhat less upscale sister property, Kaya Belek, but guests staying there do not have access to the Kaya Palazzo’s facilities, and each has a different vibe. The Kaya Palazzo’s entertainment program is mellower than the Kaya Belek’s, and although there are weekly parties, daily evening shows, and some pool activities, the atmosphere is better suited for travelers wanting to get a good night’s sleep than those wanting to party until the wee hours. Families seeking something similarly upscale but with even more kid-friendly amenities may want to compare rates at the Sueno Hotels Deluxe Belek. Those on a slightly tighter budget might prefer the Susesi Luxury Resort or the hotel’s neighboring sister property, both of which have big pools, pleasant spas, and comfortable rooms. 

The Kaya Palazzo Golf Resort is located on a two-lane road lined by golf courses on one side and beachfront resorts on the other. There is nothing within walking distance of the property aside from other hotels, but Kadriye and Belek are each less than a 15-minute drive away and are both home to several restaurants and shops. The public bus to Kadriye stops right outside the hotel, and there is a taxi stand by the main entrance. Aside from the hotel’s own 18-hole golf course, there are over a dozen others within a five-minute drive of the hotel, including the National, the three Gloria courses, and the Carya. Antalya city center is about a 40-minute drive away, and the hotel is less than 30 minutes from the airport.

The hotel has 645 rooms, the vast majority of which are spacious suites with separate living areas. About five-sixths of the rooms are housed in the main building, which was built in 2013; the rest, located in a separate section known as the Garden Rooms, were part of the previous hotel and could use some updates. Main Building rooms and suites have stylish decor that combines wooden floors with tufted headboards, thick rugs in blue hues, and dark-wood furniture. Garden Rooms and Garden Suites have received some updates, including modern bathrooms and fresh coats of paint, but most have more generic furniture and a bland neutral palette punctuated by pops of orange and lime green. All rooms are equipped with the same solid amenities, including LED TVs, electric kettles, and minibars stocked with extras such as white wine and beer, all replenished daily. Wi-Fi, however, seems to be spotty in rooms. Suites are located in the central part of the crescent-shaped Main Building, and all have plush double beds (Garden Rooms have two twin beds instead), sofa beds, and separate rain showers and jetted tubs. Some have direct access to a pool shared with a few other units. All rooms in the Main Building have at least side sea views, and many have panoramic vistas of the Mediterranean. Palazzo Suites, of which there are only 10 in the hotel, are located at the end of each hallway and have the best views of all. Villas are located either at the golf course or on-site, and feature up to three bedrooms, full kitchens, private cabanas at the beach, and butler service.

The hotel has two main pools and several other small ones for swim-up units only. The largest pool has a lively atmosphere thanks to music and some activities during the day, but its huge size makes it easy to find a quieter spot away from the action. Some guests have complained that there aren’t enough loungers for everyone during peak season. Those wanting a more serene atmosphere can head to the heated VIP pool, which has an adult-only section and a deck covered in sand brought from the Maldives. The water park features seven slides for adults and older kids, and a separate section for children, with a few water features, a playground, and a couple of small slides. Adjacent to the water park is the kids’ club, which offers a wide array of activities for children of all ages, from face painting to pool games and sports. The club closes on the early side in the afternoon, but reopens after the mini-disco for movie screenings. All guests get free access to a hammam, sauna, and steam room, and the spa has 20 massage rooms, several saunas and whirlpools, and an excellent treatment menu. There is a great fitness center with personal trainers, a wide range of cardio and strength-training equipment, and windows overlooking the indoor pool, which is pleasant but too small for a hotel this size. The hotel also has a large professional sports complex with 25 tennis courts and six soccer fields.  

Food gets consistently great reviews here. The main buffet offers a varied spread that changes often and features adult-only and kids’ areas in the dining room. The hotel also has five a la carte restaurants in the summer (only three in the winter), including two that guests can visit once per stay free of charge. Only one of them is free in the winter. The Cigar Lounge, which is a non-smoking bar, serves drinks 24/7, but food is only available overnight from room service, for which there is an extra fee.  

The Kaya Palazzo Golf Club is a great 18-hole, par-71 golf course located right across the street from the hotel. At 160 acres, the course is somewhat compact, but it has nine lakes, a 982-foot driving range, and an 8,600-square-foot practice putting green. The course also features a restaurant and storage space for clubs.