Papillon Belvil Hotel

Family-friendly and bustling, the Belvil is the cheapest and most casual of all three Papillon properties in the Belek area. The focus here is on easy family fun rather than on luxury and style; there are generic, simple interiors, and plenty of features for kids. The hotel is popular with European and Russian families, and can feel a little overrun with kids (especially in July and August), but the bustling atmosphere gives it a fun vibe that children seem to love. The main pool deck and the adjacent water park are the loudest, busiest parts of the property, but there is also a mellower adult-only pool and al lovely beach for those seeking some peace and quiet. The grounds are lovely and serene, with big gardens full of pine trees and flowers, and spacious, shaded lawns with loungers where guests can get away from the busier beachfront areas. Most rooms and amenities are housed in the main building, but there are 35 other smaller blocks with rooms spread over several acres of land. Although larger than the rest of the structures on the property, the main building doesn't feel boxy and institutional but is actually charming, with terra-cotta tile roofs resting on wooden beams, and spacious balconies with wooden railings. The lobby is simple and a tad dated, but a large greenhouse-style design makes the space sunny and cozy. The reception area is the only place in the property that offers free Wi-Fi, and can get busy at times. During our visit, many of the couple dozen couches available in the lobby were occupied by guests on their phones, and while not overwhelmingly so, the front desk saw a constant trickle of guests with requests or waiting to check in or out. The Papillon Belvil is an excellent pick for families in this price range, but those looking for something a little cheaper may want to consider the Club Mega Saray, which has clean rooms with balconies, and several pools, including adult-only ones and more bustling pools with activities and slides. The Sentido Zeynep Resort has similar rates and a lovely beach, but the kids’ club is better at the Papillon Belvil. The hotel’s more upscale sister property Papillon Ayscha offers better rooms and many of the same excellent family-friendly amenities for a little more money. 

The Papillon Belvil Hotel is located on a two-lane road lined on one side by golf courses and by large beachfront all-inclusives on the other. There is nothing within walking distance of the property, though a few restaurants and shops can be found about a 10-minute drive away, both in Kadriye and Belek. The dolmus (a local public minibus) to Kadriye stops right outside the hotel, and there is a taxi stand a short walk from the main entrance. The hotel doesn’t offer special rates at any of the area’s golf courses, but there are about a dozen excellent ones within a short drive, including the three Gloria courses, the Titanic, the National, and the Cornelia. Antalya and its airport are each about a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

The hotel has 507 rooms, spread over a large main building and 35 smaller blocks in the gardens known as the Club or Bungalow section. Main Building units are large if a tad dated, with wall-to-wall carpet, simple dark wood furniture, and a generic white and orange color scheme. Club Rooms are smaller but have a somewhat more contemporary style, with a blue palette, brown accent walls, and generic furniture with clean lines. In these units small blue and gray rugs adorn white tiled floors, and several large photos above the bed combine to create sunset scenes. While rooms are nothing to write home about, they’re all comfortable enough and clean, and come equipped with LED TVs, adjustable central air-conditioning, electric kettles with free instant coffee and tea, and safes. Minibars are replenished daily free of charge with beer, soda, and water in the summer. In the winter, minibars are stocked on the first day but not replenished during the stay. Though the hotel claims to offer free Wi-Fi throughout, it is actually only available in the lobby, and only units closest to the reception may be able to pick up an intermittent signal.Bathrooms are clean but could use an update as well. All feature brown granite or white counters, blue and white tiles throughout, and basic shower/tub combos with sliding glass screens. Small bottles of shampoo and shower gel are provided, as are a couple of bars of soap, and wall-mounted hairdryers. 

Fine sand, plenty of loungers under long awnings, and a quiet atmosphere make the Papillon Belvil’s beach pleasant and appealing. It is just a touch longer than some other hotel’s private sections, and features a volleyball net for tournaments, a large snack bar, and a lifeguard. There is no pier on-site, but the hotel has a sea platform a little away from the coast from where guests can jump into the water or relax away from the sand. During the day the vibe is lively around the pools with an extensive entertainment program that includes games, competitions, and fitness sessions. Other low-key activities such as archery, darts, and bocce ball are also available in the gardens around the main pool deck. The hotel offers professional performances four nights a week at the main stage (indoors when it rains or is cold), and the rest of the days the in-house animation team keeps guests entertained with games, competitions, and dancing. The spa is small but serene, with lots of Asian- and Byzantine-inspired details, and wooden floors. All guests get free access to a hammam, a sauna, and a steam room, and there is a wide array of treatments for those willing to pay extra, including massages, wraps, ayurveda sessions, and Asian therapies. The spa also offers a number of services for kids, including fruit treatments with organic products, foam massages, and facials. The fitness center features an excellent array of professional cardio and strength-training equipment in a spacious room with big windows offering garden views, and several flat-screen TVs.The hotel also features three meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment. Free Wi-Fi si only available in the lobby. 

The section of the property between the beach and the main building is almost entirely occupied by the pools. The main pool deck is lively during the day, with music, dozens of loungers, and a couple of snack bars with tables. Those looking for a quieter spot can get a lounger around the adult-only pool, located a little away from the main deck and the kids’ club. Additionally, there is a big seasonal indoor pool with large windows and a separate kiddy section. One of the hotel’s highlights is its excellent water park, complete with several slides of different sizes, a separate kiddy pool with smaller slides and water features, and a larger family pool with music and an area with jets for back massages.

The main restaurant at the Papillon Belvil serves an extensive buffet spread with tasty international and Turkish options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A smaller selection is available until before lunchtime for those who slept in, and a few snacks are left out overnight for those feeling hungry after the evening shows. The main dining room is large and divided into several sections for a quieter atmosphere, and there is also outdoor seating and an area for kids with a smaller buffet. The lunch and dinner buffets get good reviews, but some guests complain that the breakfast selection can become repetitive after a couple of days. No restaurants or bars are open around the clock, but there is always food available at the Papillon Belvil. There are two main snack bars on-site, including one by the beach, and another one by the main pool. Additionally, several small booths offer gozleme (Turkish flatbreads), ice cream, waffles, and other small bites in the afternoon. Chinese, Mediterranean and Turkish specialties are also available at the hotel’s three a la cartes, which guests can visit free of charge once per stay. Not all a la carte restaurants open daily. The Ultra All-Inclusive package covers all food and drinks 24 hours a day, including a few imported drinks.

Designed like a miniature village with streets and colorful stand-alone buildings, the kids’ club is one of the best around in this price range. There is a large playground overlooking the beach, a soccer field, and indoor areas for arts and crafts. Tons of daily outdoor activities keep the youngest guests busy during the day, and there is a special section for babies and toddlers complete with a nap room, toys, and a special kitchen for them. Teens are also offered a number of activities during the summer, including sports and pool games. Babysitting services are available for a fee.