Turquoise Hotel

The first thing we noticed upon arriving at the Turquoise Resort Hotel & Spa is how peaceful and green its grounds are. A long driveway winds through huge pine trees towering over grass lawns, and colorful flowers and shrubs decorate beautifully tended gardens. Throughout, purple and fuchsia bougainvillea covers the facades and wooden balconies of the annex and Lake House buildings, while shaded areas with loungers feel inviting and relaxing. Big paved decks with large sail shades offer plenty of space for unwinding during the day, and at night, low lights and candles give the grounds a romantic feel. The lobby is large and airy, with huge windows overlooking a central courtyard full of flowers, and lots of seating around the bar area. Blond wood furniture combines with soft pastel blue and green hues to create an understated yet elegant space. This style continues in rooms and other common spaces, including the main restaurant, which features dark wood accents, contemporary art throughout, and a large terrace covered by large wooden structures for shade. 

Most guests here are European couples, but the hotel does a great job catering to all types of travelers, with separate areas for kids, family fun, and relaxation. An active entertainment team keeps guests busy, and music is played through loudspeakers around the main pool during the day. Those looking to get away from it all can easily find a quiet nook or a lounger around the adult-only pool or at the beach. A separate area for children offers a large kids’ club, a big pool with three slides, a kiddy pool, and a snack bar with burgers, hot dogs, and non-alcoholic drinks. The restaurant has a separate area with a children’s buffet.

Those looking for something even more luxurious may want to consider the Ali Bey Resort Side, which has a similar vibe, beautiful Istanbul Yali-style architecture, and a long beach. Barut Andiz is a solid pick for couples seeking a kid-free vacation, with upscale rooms, a great wellness and fitness center, and a big pool. In the Turquoise's price range, the Bellis Deluxe Hotel features a lovely beach and lots of kid-friendly amenities, but charges a fee for all a la carte restaurants. The Amara Dolce Vita in Kemer is an excellent luxury pick for those looking to get away from it all, but rates can be higher depending on the season. 

Turquoise Resort Hotel & Spa is located on a long, sandy beach where it has several dozen loungers and two piers with additional seating and stairs to the water. There is little in the immediate vicinity other than a few beachfront resorts and vast wooded areas. A five-minute drive away, though, is Side, a charming little city home to gorgeous historic sites -- including a stunning Greek amphitheater, the Temple of Apollo, and an archaeological museum -- lovely seaside cafes, and plenty of shops. Walking to Side along the beach is possible, but it can take up to half an hour. Antalya and the airport are about an hour away. Airport transfers are available for a fee. 

The hotel has 486 spacious rooms spread over several buildings surrounded by lovely gardens. Most have a soft neutral palette with clean lines, blond wood furniture, and laminate or tiled floors, while Deluxe Rooms feature cute pastel blue accents in bed runners, throw pillows, and chairs. Huge, comfortable beds are topped with several pillows and duvets, and big closets offer plenty of storage space, as well as a safe (free only in Deluxe units and Lake Houses). Large windows open onto small balconies furnished with plastic chairs and a table, but only 54 rooms offer sea views. Free Wi-Fi and electric kettles come standard, as do flat-screen TVs with an array of international channels. Minibars are stocked with free water and sodas (replenished daily at no extra charge), and free beers are provided in Deluxe and Lake House units. The hotel has eight wheelchair-accessible rooms. 

Lake Houses are located in several separate buildings set deeper in the gardens, and feature between one and three bedrooms. Guests staying in these units get a few great extras, such as Champagne and a fruit basket on arrival, robes and slippers, and turndown service. These rooms also offer access to a pool shared with a few other units, poolside waiter service complete with fruit and cold towels, and free breakfast and lunch in a private restaurant. 

Bathrooms are clean and appealing, with rectangular sinks over dark veined counters, spacious walk-in rain showers, and beige and chocolate brown tiles throughout. Wall-mounted hairdryers and nice hotel-brand toiletries -- including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, facial tissues, and hand soap -- are provided in all rooms.

The hotel’s Blue Flag beach is a lovely 656-foot long stretch of fine sand dotted with a few loungers and umbrellas. It is quiet and pleasant, with a row of palm trees and lots of potted flowers, and two big piers with additional seating. In some areas the beach is narrow, but there are plenty of loungers on a lawn adjacent to the sand, as well as a few tables and chairs at the bar. Water sports and diving courses are available for a fee, and a volleyball net is at hand for tournaments. Other activities offered daily include yoga, darts, water gym, water polo, bocce ball, archery, aerobics, and soccer. A few cardio and strength-training machines are available at the small fitness center for those who prefer to work out in an air-conditioned room. Guests can also book a tennis court free of charge, but there is a fee for equipment rental and for lights for night play. 

A fresh, clean scent and soft music greet guests in the spa, while Buddha statuettes and candles round out the relaxing atmosphere. The all-inclusive package includes free access to a Turkish bath, a sauna, and a relaxation room, but all treatments are an extra charge. Thai, Balinese and hot stone massages, seaweed body treatments, aromatherapy, peelings, facials, and reflexology are all available. 

Children have an entire section of the hotel for themselves a little away from the main deck, complete with a large kids’ club, a kiddy pool under a big awning, a big pool with three slides, and a playground. Teen-friendly activities are available in the summer only, but there is a game room open year-round with arcade machines and pool tables, all for a fee.

The hotel also features a big conference room equipped with a projector, a DVD player, a flip chart, and a slide projector. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the property.

There are three pools at the Turquoise Resort Hotel & Spa. The main pool is large and lively, with daily activities, music, many loungers, and a bar. Tucked away in a quieter spot in the gardens, the smaller adult-only has a more relaxing atmosphere, although some noise from the main pool could be heard there during our visit. There are several loungers around it, and mature pine trees provide some shade -- but there is no bar nearby. The heated indoor pool is sunny and pleasant, with a large skylight, big windows overlooking the gardens, and a separate kiddy section. Two other kiddy pools are available at the water park. 

Kervansaray is the hotel’s main restaurant, serving a varied, quality spread with dozens of meat, veggie, and fish dishes. The dining room has several areas divided by screens, which makes for a more relaxing experience, but most guests choose to sit on the covered terrace when the weather is nice. Show cooking stations are available outside in the evening. The Lake House section has its own private restaurant in the gardens, serving a varied breakfast buffet, and an international menu for lunch. Snacks, pastries, hot and cold drinks, homemade traditional Turkish flatbreads (gozleme), and ice cream are all available during the day at the different snack corners and bars in the property.

For dinner, guests can choose from three a la cartes year-round -- serving fish, Italian, and Asian cuisine --  and a Turkish restaurant and a steakhouse are available in the summer as well. The all-inclusive package includes one free dinner per stay at each of the a la cartes, but these restaurants get mixed reviews. The booking system can be annoying to some, as it requires waking up early an standing in line to reserve a table two days in advance.

All local drinks and a few imported brands are available free of charge 24 hours a day as part of the Ultra All-Inclusive package. The lobby bar is open 24/7, and small bites are provided at the main restaurant for guests checking in or out overnight. Room service is available 24/7 for a fee.