The top hotels in Antalya range from luxurious resorts with butlers, Balinese-style pools, and sushi served by the sea to boutique hideaways perched above the cobblestone streets of the old town.
Antalya steals the show when it comes to Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, and the city’s top hotels are a testament to its splendour. Here, old ruins are concealed under beach cabanas, and the Taurus Mountains drop into stunning azure. This area of sun-drenched coastline, which was once mostly renowned for its mega-resorts and all-you-can-eat buffets, has undergone a transformation.
Right now, there’s a new breed of chic, design-led hotels taking reign, offering a more refined take on the package holiday, with guaranteed sunshine and short flights from the UK, it’s a no-brainer. From boutique hideaways perched above the old town’s cobbled lanes to palatial resorts, Balinese-style pools and sushi served by the sea, Antalya has quietly become one of the Mediterranean’s most exciting hotel destinations.
Whether you’re after a grown-up escape with Maldivian vibes or an all-singing, all-sliding family-friendly fantasy with splash parks and Ibiza-worthy beach clubs, here’s our pick of the best hotels in Antalya.
Maxx Royal in Belek
You’ll quickly discover that this resort is a playground for both adults and excited young tourists. Consider expansive suites with private pools, Hermès toiletries, a kids’ club with scientific areas, soft play areas, and tiny discos that looks like it was created by Pixar, and a patisserie that serves glossy éclairs, and pistachio macarons, like they would at a Parisian café.
The pros play on the championship golf course, there’s a large water park with kid-friendly slides, and there’s a beach club with DJ music where sundowners and sweet sunsets go hand in hand. The staff is friendly and accommodating, remembering your name and your morning espresso order.
Dinner options range from a stone-baked pizza by the sea to a ten-course tasting menu. Notable restaurants include Gastro by Alfredo Russo for Michelin-starred Italian elegance and Azure 24 for gourmet snacks served all day. There’s also a chic spa with Balinese massages and cryotherapy, nightly performances featuring acrobats and live music, and a shopping mall with upscale stores if you want to buy some poolside Gucci or Louis Vuitton.
Cullinan in Belek
Accompanied with chocolate-dipped strawberries, hibiscus tea, and champagne, this is Turkey’s version of five-star family pandemonium. The tone is established as soon as you enter its opulent, marble-covered lobby: intense grandeur meets unrestrained joy. Don’t let its enormous size deceive you; personal helpers give it a smooth, polished feel. The easy-breezy swim-up rooms will be so popular with kids too.
With 13 swimming pools, an aqua park with 13 slides, tennis and basketball courts, a bowling alley, an arcade, and a 36-hole golf course, there is just no way to get bored here. Sit back in your private linen-draped cabana on the beach while your butler brings you another beveridge, or enjoy the adults-only pool where staff members whiz you drinks and nibbles on rollerblades, while kids enjoy the Upupa Kids Club’s pottery, movie, soft play, and playgrounds.
Ending the day with searing steaks at the Beef Grill Club or sushi at Nori Asian is well worth the à la carte expense. This is the key to hassle-free multigenerational vacations.
Maxx Royal in Kemer
Although it may have the size of a mega-resort, the kind, can’t-do-enough-for-you staff makes it feel like a boutique guesthouse. After a long day on one of the two beaches, you’re likely to be greeted with a flurry of balloons if you even hint at a special occasion. Designed for peace and quiet, this location is tucked away between two beaches with stunning views of the Mediterranean. With direct access to the pool and plenty of space for relaxing, the rooms—particularly the two-bedroom swim-up suites—feel more like private villas than hotel rooms.
Boardwalks that protect delicate feet from the rocky shoreline allow premium visitors to access cabanas and relaxation areas by the water. Breakfasts range from cornflakes to caviar, while lunches include everything from éclairs and toasted sandwiches by the pool to formal feasts. The resort comes alive with entertainment in the evening, with diners, dancers, and DJs creating the vibe of a beach party.
Visitors can alternate between seafood feasts at Marsea, Otaku’s Far Eastern flair, and Medigusto’s elegant Mediterranean dishes. Families and couples alike will love it because it has a relaxing spa, a movie theater, and a ton of kid-friendly activities.
Bayou Villas
Let us present to you Antalya’s hip, modern cousin to the mega-resort family: sleek, tranquil, and equipped with all the solitude an A-lister seeking to avoid the spotlight could need. These 24 ultra- luxurious villas, nestled among the expansive grounds of the Lara Barut Collection, provide a tranquil, private haven within a world.
Every villa has a private pool, garden, hammam, and sauna. The glossy marble interiors of the villas look like they were taken from a coastal apartment in Los Angeles, with their floor-to-ceiling windows that let in an abundance of sunlight. The sense of independence and space, with personal butlers available to replenish your rosé or bring you a midnight snack, is the main attraction for families and couples.
Although it’s simple to get sidetracked by the resort’s more general amenities, such as dining options, a spa, and beachside relaxation, many people actually don’t bother. There isn’t much of a reason to leave the villa this nice. Ultimately, the villas have a 24-hour à la carte restaurant, spa services within the house, and kid-friendly features like play areas in the private garden.
Villa Mahal
The secret of this small cliffside gem, which is situated above Kalkan Bay and features terraced gardens with bougainvillea and blue seas, is low-key elegance. Constructed from the ground up by its hospitable proprietor, this 13-room retreat is a favourite among visitors who come back time and time again for a romantic getaway.
There is a calm, relaxed vibe to the house, with breathtaking views from every angle and a setting that feels more Amalfi than Antalya. Soft white linens, hand-carved furniture, and French windows that let in those mesmerizing sea views are features that are unique to each room’s design. The true magic takes place outside, where a waterfront platform with sun loungers spilling out onto the rocks and an amazing vista is reached by winding stone steps.
Here, the sea serves as your swimming pool, and everything seems to be moving slowly. Fresh seafood, mezze platters, and crisp Turkish wines are served al fresco under the stars while candlelight flickers. It’s sophisticated, cozy, and a little retro—in the best manner possible.
Bijal
Even though BIJAL is only a short flight from Antalya’s busy old town, it feels like a private island without the jet lag. With Maldivian-style cottages, a talc-soft private beach, and exquisite attention to detail, this property evokes the feel of a remote island getaway. You’ll see why it’s already drawing in people seeking something completely more laid-back.
The creators of JOALI Maldives opened this ultra-exclusive hideaway in March 2024, bringing tropical tranquility to Turkey’s busy Riviera. There are only 19 private villas, each with a personal on-call butler to attend to all of your needs, as well as lush gardens, pools with a Balinese theme, and modern, light-filled interiors decorated with ceramic pendant lamps made by Turkish artists and handwoven Anatolian linens.
Days pass between the lake-like pool, which is horizontal on a beachside cabana, and a variety of activities, such as guided coastal treks and sunrise pilates on the terrace. Or perhaps simply a relaxing ayurvedic massage at the villa. Dining is a highlight, with everything from freshly caught seafood at Mavi to Anatolian classics at Terra, all complemented by breathtaking sunsets and expansive views of the sea.
Ethno in Belek
Forget homogenous resort living; this hotel stylishly embraces its Anatolian heritage by incorporating regional handicrafts and culture into every area. Its daring blend of heritage and innovation has already drawn attention since its 2024 opening.
Domed roofs, mosaic tiles, and beautiful planted gardens with local plants are all features of the stately yet whimsical design. With balconies overlooking olive orchards, infinity pools, or the shimmering Mediterranean beyond, the hotel’s more than 200 rooms and suites are all about earthy hues, rich textures, and handcrafted accents.
This place has a friendliness that is uncommon in big resorts; the staff welcomes you like family, and your own concierge appears to show up right before you need them. Taking the little ones on a trip? With a bustling mini-village, they’ll be as holiday-ready as you are, and you can alternate between rooftop yoga, hammam rituals, and sun-drenched lunches beneath pergolas covered with vines.
Dining focuses on local flavors; anticipate freshly baked flatbreads presented with style, tart pomegranate molasses, and fire-grilled meats.
Source: The Traveller / Image: pexels.com photo by LADY LUCK
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