Crystal Palace Luxury Resort & Spa

Set on just over five acres of land, the Crystal Palace Luxury Resort & Spa is relatively compact by Side all-inclusive standards. The main building and its four adjacent blocks take up roughly two-thirds of the property, while the rest is occupied by the main pool and the amphitheater, which leaves little space for gardens. With all main outdoor amenities concentrated in a somewhat compact area, foot traffic is almost constant around the pools, and there is generally music on the main deck. Add to this the fact that the hotel is mostly popular with German and Russian families (although we also saw plenty of young and older couples) and you get an atmosphere that can be a little too bustling for some. 

Interiors are classic and elegant for the most part, though some may find the abundance of golden finishes a little too ornate or even dated. The lobby is particularly opulent, with a grand white-marble staircase, an eye-catching chandelier, and lots of golden accents on handrails, pillars, walls, and the ceiling. The spa, however, has a more contemporary style that combines mood lighting and Buddha statues with eclectic architectural elements such as poly-lobed arches and twisted columns. 

The Crystal Palace has a comprehensive all-inclusive package and is a good pick for those wanting an active vacation without breaking the bank, but for a little bit more money the IC Hotels Santai offers a wider range of family-friendly room types, more expansive grounds with quiet adult-only areas, and an excellent kids’ club. Sister property Crystal Tat Beach Resort & Spa has a more relaxing vibe and similar prices, but all imported drinks are an additional charge. Travelers seeking something more luxurious may want to compare prices at Bellis Deluxe Hotel, which has a lovely pier, stylish rooms, and varied dining options. 

The Crystal Palace is located on a quiet street in an area home almost exclusively to all-inclusive beachfront resorts. The property is almost at the very end of the resort area west of Side, and while there are a few shops selling accessories, clothes, and shoes within a five-minute drive of the hotel, little else of general interest can be found in the immediate area. The city of Side -- known for its stunning historic ruins, beautiful sunset views, and charming seaside cafes -- is just a 20-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 509 rooms spread over five buildings built perpendicular to the beach, which allows for some sort of sea views from the majority of rooms (357 of them, to be precise). The decor style has strong Ottoman influences, with gold ceiling moldings, golden finishes on wooden furniture, and classic Turkish paintings on walls. Laminate floors and tufted armchairs add a touch of elegance, while the dark-brown palette and white walls manage to balance out the golden ornaments. 

Rooms are equipped with a good range of amenities, including flat-screen TVs with a few international channels, electric kettles with free instant coffee and tea, air-conditioning, and safes. Minibars are stocked with water and sodas, and they're replenished daily free of charge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and the signal was strong and reliable in our room. Bathrooms are simple but clean, with textured white tile walls and floors, walk-in showers (plus jetted tubs in Junior Suites and Honeymoon Suites), and a range of toiletries, including hair conditioner, cotton swabs, combs, and loofahs. 

Families can choose from an array of room types, including Family Rooms -- which have two bedrooms (some with bunk beds) -- Pasha Suites, also with two bedrooms, plus a kitchen and two bathrooms, or Junior Suites, which have sofa beds in the living areas. Rooms overlooking the gardens are smaller by at least 54 square feet than those with partial of direct sea views in all categories.

As a family resort, the Crystal Palace offers a wide array of amenities for children of all ages. The two-floor kids’ club features indoor and outdoor spaces, including a cute pool with water features and small animal-shaped slides under an awning, a dedicated restaurant with a small buffet, and a colorful arts and crafts area upstairs. Only children 4 to 12 years old can take part in the daily activities, but younger guests can access the kids’ club as long as they’re supervised by an adult. There is also an entertainment program for teens that focuses on sports and group activities. 

The main pool is large and pleasant, with an area for activities, sports, and games, and plenty of loungers and umbrellas. Music is played several hours per day around the pool, but it is generally not deafening, and there are quieter areas away from the hustle and bustle. There is also a water park with three slides for adults, as well as two smaller ones for children on a separate deck. The indoor pool is long enough for a few quick laps, and the water is heated when the weather is too cold for the outdoor pools to be enjoyable. 

All guests are offered free access to the hammam, the sauna, and the steam, snow, and salt rooms located in the spa. There are also 12 treatment rooms -- including some with private hot tubs -- where guests can get a wide array of massages for a fee. The fitness center is also located in the spa area, and although it is a little small, it has enough cardio and strength-training machines for a full workout. There are also several outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis courts (there are fees for lighting and loaner equipment), a mini-golf area, a beach volleyball court, and an array of motorized and non-motorized water sports (for a fee). 

The entertainment program includes pool games, sports, contests, and evening shows. There are also live music several times per week at the Irish Pub, and a movie theater with two screenings per day in different languages with subtitles. 

The hotel offers a comprehensive all-inclusive package that covers all local and some imported drinks until late at night. The main buffet is open 24/7, and offers a varied buffet for all three main meals, as well as a smaller spread overnight and for late breakfast. We found plenty of tasty options during our stay, but some guests have complained that it can get repetitive after a few days. There are five a la carte eateries as well, serving fish, Italian, Mexican, Ottoman, and Asian cuisines, and guests are offered one free dinner at each per stay, except at the fish restaurant, which is always an additional charge. 

There are several snack corners where guests can get small bites and sweets during the day, including a patisserie, a “gozleme” corner (Turkish flatbread), and a full snack bar by the beach, complete with a small buffet, waffles, ice cream, and pancakes.