Limak Limra Hotel & Resort

Big and bustling, the Limak Limra has a lot going for it. The hotel offers not only good food, comfortable rooms, great perks for families, and competitive rates, but also beautiful grounds with separate areas for quiet relaxation and family fun. The gardens are particularly appealing, with streams and flowers, manicured lawns dotted with trees and loungers, and a long beach complete with a serene pier and cabanas. The 820 rooms are spread over three areas: the huge and somewhat generic Main Building, and the quaint Club and Fame Garden sections, which feature several small, charming buildings outfitted with wooden balconies and colorful flowers running down the facade. The hotel draws mostly European, Russian, and Turkish families in the summer, and the atmosphere is loud and busy, especially between June and September. Though a property filled to the brim with kids may not be everyone's idea of a relaxing vacation (we were told there can be up to 800 kids on-site in August), there are some areas reserved for those wanting to get away from the noise, including a small pool with a bar in the Fame Garden section. The vibe is mellower in the winter, when most guests are older European couples and professional soccer teams. Kemer and the surrounding beach communities offer a wide range of hotels for all budgets, and there are several other properties in the same price range as this hotel worth considering. The Crystal De Luxe Resort & Spa has a beautiful spa and a bustling pool, but the beach is a five-minute walk away. The Mirage Park Resort is another good pick, though rooms are newer at the Limak Limra. Akka Atendon Hotel is a slightly more upscale option, complete with dozens of great perks for kids, attractive Ottoman design throughout, and big pools.

The Limak Limra is located almost at the end of a street lined with other hotels in Kiris, a small beachfront community between Kemer and Tekirova. There are a few shops and a couple of cafes within easy walking distance of the hotel, but there isn’t much else of general interest in the area. Kemer, known for its nightlife and shops, is a 10-minute drive away, as are the lovely ruins of Phaselis. While this location is good for those planning to spend all day by the pool, the area is not the most convenient for those looking to explore the Antalya region. Antalya city center and the airport are each about an hour away by car, while the charming seaside city of Side and the world-class golf courses of Belek are all between one-and-a-half and two hours away. 

The hotel’s 820 rooms are spread over three buildings -- the Main, the Club, and the Fame Garden. All rooms are decorated in the same simple style, with generic blond-wood furniture, laminate floors, and colorful paintings. Turquoise or orange bed runners, throw pillows, and accent walls add some color to the otherwise mostly neutral palette, while sliding glass doors and windows make rooms sunny. Though all units are similar in style, there are a few differences between them depending on where they are: rooms in the Main Building have sea views; those in the Club section are a little bit bigger; and Garden Rooms are housed in cute, low buildings in the gardens, which makes them the quietest but also the farthest from common areas. Solid amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with international channels, electric kettles, and safes. Robes and slippers are provided in all rooms, and minibars are refilled daily free of charge with sodas, water, beer, and juice. Bathrooms are clean and attractive, with big, rectangular sinks over wooden vanities, and dark marble-like accent walls in the shower areas. Shower gel comes in bulk wall-mounted containers, but bathrooms also come with shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, hand soap, and a few extras such as cotton buds. About one-third of the bathrooms have shower/tub combos, while the rest are outfitted with compact walk-in showers. 

With an Asian-inspired design that draws heavily on wood, stone, and earth tones, the hotel’s spa is a definite highlight. Candles and plants give the space a soothing natural feel, while a soft, nice smell makes it immediately appealing. The spa has eight massage rooms -- six of which are housed in cute wooden pavilions -- and scrubs and other treatments can be booked in a private marble hammam. The gym, though small, has a decent array of machines for a quick workout. Housed in a greenhouse-style structure, the indoor pool is pleasant and big enough for laps, and guests get free access to a Turkish bath and a sauna located in a small wellness area above the pool.There are three outdoor pools at the Limak Limra, including a small, quiet one in the Fame Garden area, and a massive one closer to the beach. The main pool has loud music and a full activities program, and the water park is located right in the middle of the pool, however, there is a quieter area a little away from the hustle and bustle for those who want to relax. The kiddy pool is cute, with sail shades, an elephant-shaped slide for toddlers, and a couple of other water features. Kids and teens are kept busy with a range of daily activities, from arts and crafts for the youngest guests, to video games and sports for the older ones. The buffet restaurant is open all day, and serves up a wide variety of hot and cold options, including many Turkish specialties. In addition, the hotel has five a la carte eateries, including Chinese, Italian, fish, Turkish, and barbecue. Guests can dine free of charge at the Turkish and fish restaurants once per week in the summer. Snacks are also available throughout the day at all bars. Note that there's a fee for all imported drinks in the winter.