Turkey’s all-inclusive holiday centre
Not so long ago Belek was a sleepy little beachside settlement keeping itself to itself just east of Antalya. Then it was discovered by the golfing fraternity for whom several gigantic hotels were built. Now the entire seafront is a succession of huge, themed hotels, most of them catering to the all-inclusive holiday market.
For families in search of an uncomplicated vacation this is probably a dream come true, with the sea and sand just feet away from their bedrooms. Several of the hotels offer world-class standards of accommodation and catering too.
As for Belek itself one has to ask how much benefit all this development has brought. It remains a shabby, rundown sort of place whose restaurants struggle to attract any outside custom. Anyone unfortunate enough to have to get a bus down from the main coast road to Belek will find themselves waiting on a rubbish-strewn piece of wasteland.
Sleeping
Royal Adam & Eve Hotel www.adamevehotels.com, Tel: 0242-444 0596
Dome Kempinski www.kempinski-antalya.com, Tel: 0242-710 1300
Gloria Golf Resort www.gloria.com.tr, Tel: 0242-710 06000
Rixos Premium pr*****@ri***.com, Tel: 0242-710 2000
Transport info
Buses heading east from Antalya pass the Belek junction where you can wait for infrequent dolmuşes that travel only as far as Belek town. To get to the individual hotels you need your own car or prior transfer arrangements – their sheer size means that just walking from the gates can be a slog.
Day trip destinations
