Alba Royal Hotel

The Alba Royal is a compact hotel by Antalya all-inclusive standards. It has all the amenities found at other upscale resorts -- including a large pool, 24-hour food and drinks, a spa, and a fitness center -- but all squeezed into a relatively small area. The grounds are well-kept and pleasant, with lots of flowers and palm trees around the main pool, and a wilder area with olive trees, shrubs, and rocks closer to the beach. A small public path separates the main section of the hotel from the beach and its snack bar. The layout and size of the area make the deck around the pool feel a tad crowded during high occupancy periods. Dozens of loungers are packed together with little space between them, and some guests have reported finding it hard to get a lounger in the morning, as people tend to reserve them with towels before breakfast. In addition to this, music and soft entertainment around the pool make for a more bustling atmosphere than some may expect of an adult-only hotel, but those seeking a quieter spot can head to the beach, where the hotel has several dozen loungers. 

Interiors are classic throughout, with club chairs in the lobby, long dark couches in the bars, striped curtains in red and cream hues, and curvy wrought iron chandeliers. Atrium-like hallways have gleaming floors at the ground level, and glass-and-metal railings lining the floors overhead. One big, multi-story window lets in some natural light, but hallways are overall a tad dark, which lends the room areas a slight business chain hotel feel. Other public areas, though, have more local character, especially the round lobby, which features a mosaic-clad front desk, cream-colored stone floors with dark inlays, and photos of Ataturk and the owner’s family lining the space. The outdoor areas have a more beachy style, with spacious wooden decks, big awnings, and simple lounge furniture.

It is hard to find quiet all-inclusive hotels in the Antalya region, but those seeking a more mellow vibe may want to compare rates at the Commodore Elite Suites & Spa, which has contemporary rooms, and good food. Sentido Flora Garden offers better value overall, with stylish rooms, sleek common spaces, and both quiet and more lively areas. The Gloria Serenity Resort is another excellent pick, with stylish rooms, beautiful common spaces, and luxury services, but rates are higher.

The Alba Royal Hotel is located on a small winding street lined with other all-inclusives in the tourist complex of Colakli. Little of interest can be found within walking distance of the resort, but there are a few shops selling clothes, shoes, and souvenirs about a five-minute drive away. Side, known for its stunning historic ruins and charming seaside cafes, is just a 15-minute drive away. Other local attractions, including the Manavgat Waterfalls, Aspendos, and the archaeological area of Lyrbe, are all within a 30-minute drive of the hotel. Antalya and the airport are just under an hour away.

The hotel has 224 rooms, all featuring classic decor with heavy wooden furniture and a red-and-cream color scheme. Currant red accent walls, parquet floors, and burgundy bed runners with matching pillows add style, but some may find the decor in need of an update. Rooms, though, are clean, with big desks, small seating areas with two chairs and a round table, and plenty of storage space. 

In-room amenities include central air-conditioning, LCD TVs, electric kettles, safes, and minibars with water and soda (restocked daily free of charge). Wi-Fi is free in the common areas, but there is a fee for in-room internet access, and guests complain that the connection isn’t reliable. Superior Rooms feature larger TVs and additional minibar items such as snacks, chocolate, and beer. Suites are two connecting rooms with one king-size bed and two twins. 

Bathrooms are clean but compact, with shower/tub combos, brown mosaic tile accents, and dark tiled floors. Shower gel and shampoo are provided in large wall-mounted containers along with smaller soaps and loofahs. Bathrooms have windows overlooking the bedroom, which could be annoying at night because the privacy blinds let some light in through the sides. 

All rooms have large windows opening onto spacious balconies, most of which offer sea views. Rooms overlooking the adjacent zoo (owned by sister property Alba Resort Hotel) may get some noise from the animals living there.

The hotel has dozens of loungers and umbrellas on a private stretch of beach with fine sand and shallow waters. There is a mini-golf area overlooking the sea, and a self-serve station provides sodas and water, but there is no bar directly on the sand. A seasonal snack bar located a little away from the beach offers a selection of fast food for lunch, as well as an array of drinks, ice cream, and waffles. 

The freeform pool is huge and lively, with music and soft entertainment during the day. There are dozens of loungers tightly packed together around the pool, but there have been complaints that some guests reserve loungers with towels before breakfast only to leave them empty until the afternoon. A poolside snack bar offers a few small bites and drinks during the day under a covered terrace. There is an additional indoor pool at the spa, complete with a hot tub and large windows overlooking the main pool deck. The water is heated in the colder months. Treatments such as shiatsu, anti-cellulite, coffee peelings, chocolate massages, and reflexology are available at the spa as well. Two thatched huts can be rented for outdoor massages in a quiet nook off the main pool deck. The pavilions are placed on glass platforms above water tanks to resemble Balinese huts on stilts over the sea. All guests get free access to a hammam and a sauna.

A small but well-equipped fitness center offers a good array of cardio and strength-training machines, and a few fitness classes are available daily around the pool. The hotel also features a game room with two bowling lanes, board games, pool tables, and a couple of arcade machines (all for a fee). There is also a large conference hall for up to 300 guests. Wi-Fi is free in common areas. 

There are two main buffet restaurants at the Alba Royal, both of which get good reviews for quality and variety. The Alatau is open for breakfast, dinner, and midnight snacks, while Taurus is only open for lunch. Both have spacious terraces, and the Taurus’ offers sea views. Additionally, all guests can dine once per stay at each of the hotel’s three a la cartes. Efendy is the hotel’s Turkish restaurant, while Cuba serves Cuban cuisine, and a fresh fish menu is available at Amadeus. Reservations are required for all of them. 

The all-inclusive package includes 24-hour food and local drinks, as well as some imported brands.  The lobby lounge is the only bar open 24/7, and the Alatau restaurant remains open overnight.