Paloma Oceana Resort

The huge Paloma Oceana Resort is spread out over spectacular grounds with lush gardens filled with fruit trees. The public areas of the hotel are designed as modern open spaces with soaring ceilings. Sculptures of beachgoers placed in the hallways add a whimsical touch. Outside, a rooftop terrace at one level has tables and chairs set up to enjoy clear views out to the sea and the resort’s many pools. Each of the eight different restaurants and nine bars has their own individual theme and atmosphere, with a full range of casual to upscale options. With a guest capacity of up to 1,200 people, the public areas of the hotel are crowded during busy seasons. For instance, pool loungers may all be claimed by early morning. The resort is known for being family-friendly due to the number of activities for kids, and it sometimes feels they are given the run of the place. It’s typical for guests -- who range from families to couples to groups of all kinds -- not to leave the resort for the duration of their stay. 

Paloma Oceana is perfectly located right on the beach in the Antalya region of coastal southwestern Turkey, also known as the Turquoise Coast. Situated closest to the Antalya airport (about 50 minutes by car) but closer to Side and Manavgat towns, the resort is surrounded by other high end hotels and resorts. While many guests stick to the beach and stay within the confines of the resort throughout their stay at the Paloma, there are some nearby attractions that are worth exploring. Side, less than a 10-minute drive, has Greco-Roman ruins similar to what are found at Ephesus, and Manavgat (about 20 minutes by car) has a  spectacular waterfall popular both with tourists and locals. It’s possible to travel to the airport by bus from Manavgat, and then flights to Istanbul from Antalya take about 90 minutes.

Guests can choose between staying in the main building or in separate bungalows which are surrounded by lush gardens and spread across several pathways. Rooms are all spacious, from Standard Rooms starting at 30-square-meters (320 square feet) to Family Suites at 65-square-meters (700 square feet) up to the huge, luxurious Lake Villas at 90-square-meters spread over two floors and with a private pool. No matter the size or type of room, decor has an understated, modern elegance. High-quality furnishings are in colors that tend to match the sand and sea -- plenty of raw wood and aqua blue. Other amenities in all rooms include free Wi-Fi, coffee- and tea-making facilities, a safe, robes, desk, minibar, flat-screen TV, and toiletries in the bathrooms. Bathrooms are spotless and spacious, with modern fixtures and marble throughout. All rooms, no matter the view, have balconies.

There’s almost no upscale amenity you won’t find at the Paloma Oceana, and staff takes care to keep the facilities in pristine condition. The main attractions are the multiple pools (outdoor, indoor, waterslides, kids’ pool) and the beachfront which has its own private swimming area, a beach volleyball court, and various water sports activities like Jet Skiing and parasailing (for a fee). One perk not found at many other competitor resorts is the beachfront food and drink service, where guests can order menu items right to their beach lounger. On top of swimming and sunbathing, guests have access to a beautiful outdoor theater where the animation team puts on shows, tennis courts and table tennis, and a colorful and friendly jungle gym for children. The kids’ amenities are particularly abundant, with huge indoor playrooms full of toys and a teen center with pool tables, foosball, and flat-screen TVs for playing video games. The highlight indoor activities for adults includes a full-size fitness center, a Turkish bath, and a sauna. Guests can book all-inclusive packages which feature all of the activities and various food and beverage plans, or they can go a la carte at the restaurants and nine different bars. Reviews of the food tend to be pretty tepid. Parking at the hotel is free, as is Wi-fi, throughout the hotel.