Turkey’s sublimely beautiful southwest, nuzzled by the azure waters of both the Aegean and Mediterranean seas and home to towering mountains dotted with picturesque ancient ruins, affords a splendid setting for some of the most alluring yet great-value all-inclusive holidays to Turkey. Many have direct beach access, an array of pools, myriad watersports and other activities on tap, fine dining restaurants, relaxing spas and saunas as well as uber-comfortable rooms. Most are family friendly, some adults-only. There’s plenty of great hotels in Turkey (from Istanbul to Antalya), but with much of the southwest enjoying 300 days a year of sunshine, the long season here is a major plus, so here’s our pick of the best all-inclusive hotels in Turkey’s southwest.
Hillside Beach Club, Fethiye
The Hillside Beach Club is a big, cheerful resort set around secluded Kalemya Bay with its clear blue waters and densely wooded hills and is one of the best all-inclusive hotels in Turkey. Rooms, three restaurants and eight bars, plus leisure facilities are cut into the hillsides in the form of several chalets, and there are three sandy beaches (two of them adults-only) with a shuttle boat service. Regular fitness classes and wellness programmes are designed for active guests, as are diving and sailing lessons, and a mini football field. A few dining options include a food court-style restaurant which serves buffet breakfasts (with a healthy eating and gluten free section), lunches and dinners, and there’s a coffee shop where you can take roasting lessons, plus cookery and cocktail-making workshops.
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From £147 pp/pn (hillsidebeachclub.com)
The diamond-white beach at the Hillside Beach Club, Turkey
Club Marvy, Özdere
In a secluded bay on Turkey’s Aegean coast, a mile away from the small town of Özdere, this swish beachside hideaway is home to four swimming pools (one infinity, one with a beast of a waterslide), spa and hammam, art gallery and two private beaches scattered throughout some 40 leafy acres of palm, pine and olive trees. In high season, a beach party is thrown every couple of weeks on the adults-only Boho Beach. There are 339 rooms (123 with a sea view) and three suites, decorated in neutral mochas and taupes, with wooden flooring. Food quality at the tavernas is superb, with around 30 per cent of it coming from a licensed organic farm half an hour up the road (think fruit and vegetables, olive oils, pomegranate and fig molasses and organic wines).
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The beautiful pool at Club Marvy, Turkey
- The best beach hotels in Turkey
Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa, Sarigerme
This picturesque and great-value resort is in a quieter part of the Turquoise Coast, close to protected beaches such as the long, wild spit of Iztuzu Beach, where turtles nest. The ample grounds are green and well-maintained, with seven pools fanning out from a central village area. The kids’ club, open-air arts centre, toddler pool and water slides are on one side; the spa, yoga pavilion and beach cabanas the other. The dark-sand beach is unspoilt but the sea is a long way off, making the strip of beachfront cabanas (from £63 a day), some of which have private hot tubs, a good idea for any wanting shade, comfort and cocktails on tap.
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The Hilton Sarigerme Resort & Spa has seven swimming pools
Gloria Golf Resort, Belek
Top up your tan while you lower your handicap at this luxury hotel 15 minutes on from Belek. With two 18-holes and a nine-hole course, the resort attracts golfers looking for sunshine but families aren’t left high and dry. The spa, cinema, nightclub, beach club, fitness classes, plus the swimming pools and private beach are enough to keep anyone busy. Pools and beaches at the two, less golf-geared sister hotels nearby are free (or pay to use their spas and kids’ clubs). Half-board guests won’t go hungry but book full-board as the closest restaurants are in Belek. The complimentary minibar and room service (outside of restaurant hours) makes the hotel feel like good value for money.
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The lush, green surroundings at the Gloria Golf Resort, Turkey
Kempinski Hotel The Dome, Belek
This modern, all-inclusive hotel five miles west of Belek has everything a golfer could want with its two world-class courses, plus enough non-sporting facilities and nearby attractions to keep the rest of the family happy. On the ground floor, a sprawling Balinese-style spa shares space with a fitness centre, and there’s a large swimming pool in an attractive blue and turquoise jacquard pattern that runs the length of the hotel. Beyond that, there is a private beach dotted with cabanas and sun loungers, which leads to a wooden pier with an al fresco bar at the end. An army of efficient waiting staff glide between the three restaurants, two bars and a terrace café.
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Chic cabanas and sun loungers at Kempinski Hotel The Dome, Belek, Turkey
- More of the best hotels in Turkey
Contributions by Natalie Paris, Tina Walsh, Georgina Wilson-Powell