Tourism in Turkey has suffered with the recent troubles taking their toll with holiday makers in even the safest regions of the country. However, you’d never know this when nestled in the delicious luxury of Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort. On the sun-kissed coast of Antalya in southern Turkey, the hotel remains a popular choice for a wide range of travellers.
Antalya is one of Turkey’s most frequented beach destinations, and Regnum Carya is one of its best hotels. A true resort, there is little reason or desire to leave once you are there. The hotel was built three years ago with no expense spared, and once held the G20 summit hosting world leaders from across the globe. As a result the hotel is finished to an immaculate standard; it’s over the top without being garish.
For those who want an all-inclusive week or two of total relaxation with everything taken care of by someone else, Regnum Carya is a tempting (and cheaper!) alternative to the mega-resorts of Dubai.
Sleep
The most basic room category (Luxury Room with golf view) is staggeringly large. It features an entrance hall, king size bedroom with seating area, desk and balcony, walk in wardrobe, and bathroom with double vanity sinks, bath, and separated WC and shower. Mini bar is well stocked and included (not that you’ll need it in the all-inclusive resort), and the room was littered with treats such as fresh fruit, wine, and chocolate. The rooms are modern in design, and tasteful in their colour palette, think walnut surfaces and fabrics in taupe, beige, white, and navy.
The hotel has numerous room categories from the simplest described above all the way up to an absurdly glamorous 2000sqm “Crown Villa” complete with five bedrooms and bathrooms, a 440sqm swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a private spa and Hamman, vast living spaces including a sunken fire pit, a roof terrace, dance floor and bar, dining room, and boardroom. I assure you the simpler rooms are more than adequate, but if you’re a head of state or a Kardashian this is #VillaGoals.
Do
There are endless options to keep yourself entertained. Greendoor Spa offers an array of treatments: all the usual body treatment options, including Thai and Balinese massage by Therapists native to those countries, facials, wraps, scrubs, and beauty treatments. Facilities include Turkish baths, sauna, steam and ice rooms, a fitness centre, and indoor pool. The hotel provides daily fitness classes including sessions of favourites such as Zumba, Pilates, Kickboxing, archery, and aerobics.
Outside, there’s a water park with flumes, a tree top adventure park, and a state of the art golf course which has hosted international players and considered one of the finest in Turkey.
Pools are numerous: There’s a large family pool where drinks are served by enthusiastic girls on roller skates, an adult only pool with a swim-to bar, and a wave pool. If you’re staying in Golf Residences or any room category above that, there will be private pools on your terrace as well.
Down by the beach is 200 metres of sand and sunbeds, but the real show stoppers are the over-water pier pavilions. They do incur an additional charge, but when lying on them you may as well be in the Maldives.
Eat
There are six restaurants at the hotel: An enormous international buffet is served at Gourmet. The Ottoman provides Turkish cuisine. Seafood or steak can be found at The Seahorse or Carya Restayrant respectively. Ristorante Tramonto serves crowd pleasing Italian, and Chufung provides both a la carte Asian and Teppanyaki.
In terms of drink, the hotel has an almost excessive eight bars. The best are the lobby, outdoor pool, and beach bars. One of them is a juice bar, which helps to keep up with any health regimens.
Just in case that isn’t enough, five snack bars cater for those feeling peckish between meals. One of them is faux-French patisserie with cakes and pastries, a gourmet chocolate stand, and particularly memorable baklava.
Verdict
There’s no avoiding it, travellers are weary of Turkey at the moment. As always, please check the Foreign Office’s advice before visiting any country, but rest assured that having been I can safely say Antalya felt extremely safe and peaceful.
Regnum Carya was a delight to stay at. Warm and friendly staff, excellent rooms, Maldivian-inspired pier pavilions, and the tranquillity of the pool areas resulted in four days of total and complete relaxation.
Rooms are priced from £144 a night for a Luxury Room with golf view. When booked directly, complimentary transfers are provided from Antalya airport in one of the hotel’s luxury Mercedes vehicles.