Rixos Premium Belek

Set on over 100 acres of beautiful grounds abutting the Gloria Golf Courses on one side and a lovely sandy beach on the other, the Rixos Premium is one of the top luxury properties in Belek. Its bi-level lobby is massive and elegant, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows offering expansive views of the gardens, pools, and the sea, and several comfortable armchairs and couches. Soft instrumental music plays in the background, and polished marble floors, shimmery accents, and golden railings make the hotel feel immediately high-end and relaxing. The hotel underwent extensive renovations in 2014 and again in 2016, and everything looked fresh and in good shape when we visited in fall 2017. It is popular with European families and couples in the summer (plus golfers and convention attendees in the colder months), but there are separate areas for adult-only relaxation and family fun. The grounds are sprawling and beautiful, featuring large lawns dotted with pine trees, spacious wooden decks with seating, and huge pools. Unfortuantely, this can mean long walks between some rooms and common areas. The atmosphere ranges from hopping to serene depending on where you are, and the sheer size of the main building and its aesthetics lend it a slight Vegas-style vibe (there is even a dancing fountains show in the evening). The property is classy throughout, with luxurious features such as a gorgeous spa, an excellent kids’ club, and a comprehensive all-inclusive package (only top-shelf imported drinks aren’t included), and a soft entertainment program instead of loud pool games. The Rixos is a great luxury pick, but it doesn’t quite compare to the area’s top properties, the Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort and the Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort, which have top-notch extras such as helicopter airport transfers, private villas, and their own golf courses. The Gloria Golf Resort is in the same price range as the Rixos Premium, and has a similarly outstanding kids’ club, as well elegant rooms, a cute on-site zoo, and three beautiful pools. The Titanic Deluxe Belek is another excellent luxury pick that is generally a little cheaper. 

The Rixos Premium is located on a private stretch of beach and right across the street from the Gloria Golf Clubs. The area is quiet and serene, with dozens of self-contained resorts packed along the beach and numerous internationally renowned golf courses. There is little within walking distance, but there are a few restaurants and shops in Belek, a five-minute drive away. Side, known for its impressive Hellenistic and Roman ruins and charming seaside cafes, is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel. Driving to Antalya and its many historic sites -- including Hadrian’s Gate and the Yivliminare Mosque -- takes also about 45 minutes. The hotel is a 35-minute drive from the airport. 

The hotel has a total of 700 rooms -- 640 of them in the main building, and 60 Pool Suites housed in small two-story buildings set around a quiet pool in the gardens. All are spacious and tastefully decorated, with a combination of earth tones and pastel pinks, as well as black-and-white photos and contemporary wooden furniture with clean lines. Touches such as TVs hidden away in mirrors, and movement sensors instead of regular light switches are luxurious details, while marble floors, tufted leather-style benches in white hues, and trunks as bedside tables make rooms chic and elegant. At 400 square feet, the standard Deluxe Rooms are a little bit smaller than other luxury hotels in Belek, but they are well-designed and have thoughtful touches that make them feel bigger, including large glass doors that open onto furnished balconies (most with side sea views); simple, contemporary lines throughout; and ceiling moldings with indirect lighting. In addition, bathrooms have sliding doors on two walls, which means that the space can have either an open plan when left open, or be completely private when closed. Many rooms also have walk-in closets, and all but Family Suites have a living area. Each room is equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a safe, and an electric kettle. Free minibars are stocked with water, soda, beer, and snacks, all of which are replenished daily. Bathrooms have spacious walk-in showers with huge rainfall showerheads, plenty of L’Occitane toiletries, and separate toilet cabins with frosted-glass doors. 

Features here are unsurprisingly extensive and high-end. The hotel has a total of five pools, including four outdoors and one indoors. The three main ones are actually one huge pool divided into three sections by bridges. Each section has a different vibe -- the activity pool is hopping and has music sometimes; the kids’ area is also lively but has no music; and the 24-hour adult-only area has a quiet atmosphere for those wanting to get away from it all. In addition, there is another large pool in the Pool Suites area with some lounge music, but it is also quiet and relaxing. The indoor pool is huge and sunny, and the water can be heated in the winter.  The bi-level spa is stylish and excellent, with six treatment rooms, a women-only section, a relaxation area with comfortable loungers, and an outdoor area with loungers amid pine trees. All guests are offered free access to a gorgeous hammam with a fountain, chic red accents throughout, and pillows on daybeds. There are also a sauna and a steam room that guests can use free of charge. The fitness center has two separate rooms -- one with cardio equipment and another with strength-training machines, plus personal trainers are available. There are also seven tennis courts that guests can use for free (there is an additional fee for lights and equipment), a soccer field, and a sports program that includes yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, Kangoo, TRX, and aquagym. The hotel is a popular venue for corporate events in the winter, and features seven meeting rooms, plus a large foyer. A full range of audiovisual equipment is available, and wedding planning services are also provided for parties of up to 500 people. 

The excellent all-inclusive package covers all local and most imported alcoholic drinks (only top premium imported drinks are extra). The rate also includes all food at the buffet restaurant, free dinners at all of the a la carte restaurants (for guests staying a minimum of three or four nights, depending on the season), and all snacks and drinks at any time of the day or night. The main buffet restaurant serves a wide spread with Turkish and international dishes, homemade breads and pastries, and several specialized corners, including sushi, Asian, kebab, and Italian booths. Fresh orange juice is offered free of charge in the morning. A la carte options include Italian and Turkish restaurants, a steakhouse, and a fish joint. On the downside, some guests find the a la carte restaurant reservations system frustrating and inconvenient -- guests have to reserve in the morning to ensure availability for the following day.Room service is available 24/7 for an extra charge, and the Rixos Lounge serves drinks all day and all night in an elegant space with a fireplace. 

Rixos Premium Belek has a great kids’ club complete with a small restaurant open for lunch, a nap room for babies, a PlayStation room, an art studio, and a two kiddy pools, including one with waterslides. The playground has soft floors, and there is a jungle gym and a fun, colorful train that goes around the property every couple of hours. Families with children older than 24 months can book babysitting services for a fee. The hotel also offers free shuttle service to Land of Legends, a massive amusement park with water parks, world-class concerts and shows, and many shops.