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Antalya's resort belt built its reputation on a simple idea: pay once, then stop budgeting for the rest of the week. That model, sold as all-inclusive or ultra all-inclusive, has made Turkey's southern coast one of the most booked choices for UK families and couples planning a school-holiday or romantic break.
But all-inclusive is not one fixed product. A resort in Lara built around waterslides and kids' clubs is a different holiday to a quieter, adults-only property in Belek, even if both call themselves five-star and all-inclusive. Choosing well means matching the resort and the area it sits in to who is actually travelling.
This guide compares Lara, Belek, Side and Kemer, explains what actually separates all-inclusive from ultra all-inclusive, and recommends specific resorts for different types of families and couples, along with the trade-offs each one involves.
Antalya had its busiest year on record in 2024. The city and its surrounding coastline, marketed widely as the Turkish Riviera, welcomed close to 17 million visitors in total, with official figures putting international arrivals at around 16.9 million, an increase of roughly 8 percent on the previous year.
Antalya Airport carried the strain of that growth. The airport handled 39.2 million passengers in 2024, comfortably above its original 35 million-passenger design capacity, and one of the clearest signs of how quickly demand has grown along this stretch of coast.
UK travellers have driven a large part of that growth. British arrivals to Antalya rose from around 719,000 in 2019 to more than 1.57 million in 2024, more than doubling in five years and pushing the UK into one of Antalya's three largest source markets, behind only Russia and Germany.
UK families and couples have many choices for their vacations. More flights and resorts mean better prices for packages, especially for all-inclusive deals that include most costs. This creates a long coastline with many hotels, each with different fun things to do. It is important to pick the right hotel for a week of fun, not just the one with the best rating.
Not every all-inclusive resort in Antalya includes the same things, and the gap between standard all-inclusive and ultra all-inclusive is where most of the confusion, and most of the value, sits.
A standard all-inclusive package typically covers buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a set list of local soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits, usually served within defined hours. Snacks and water sports are sometimes included and sometimes not, and à la carte restaurants, premium drinks and late-night food often carry an extra charge even on an all-inclusive rate.
Ultra all-inclusive removes most of those restrictions. Typical inclusions run to 24-hour food and drink service, wider à la carte dining and branded spirits rather than local-only pours, along with in-room minibars and broader access to spa, water sports and entertainment. The point is not luxury for its own sake. It is that almost every cost a family or couple would normally budget separately, from a late-night snack to a second round of drinks at the pool bar, is already paid for.
For UK travellers, the total holiday cost is more important than the room rate. Booking a week's flights and an ultra all-inclusive hotel is typically easier to budget than a room-only or bed-and-breakfast stay in Spain or Greece, where additional costs for meals and activities arise.
This isn't about Turkey being superior to its Mediterranean counterparts; it's about the ultra all-inclusive model appealing to those who prefer cost certainty over flexibility. Since inclusions can vary by resort and package, it's essential to verify what's covered before comparing prices with other hotels.
Antalya's resort belt is not one place. Lara, Belek, Side and Kemer each offer a genuinely different holiday, even though many of their hotels compete in the same five-star, all-inclusive bracket.
Lara sits closest to Antalya Airport, with transfer times typically around 20 minutes. That makes it the most convenient base for families who want to be at the pool within the hour of landing. The area is dominated by large, purpose-built resort hotels with extensive pool complexes, private beach frontage and structured kids' clubs, which makes it Antalya's most concentrated stretch of family-focused, all-inclusive properties.
Belek sits roughly 35 to 40 minutes from the airport and has built its reputation on golf and five-star infrastructure rather than sheer scale. Resorts here tend to be larger and more spread out, with extensive grounds and a calmer pace than Lara. That suits families wanting high-end facilities without Lara's density, as well as couples wanting a quieter, more grown-up resort without leaving the all-inclusive format behind.
Side is further out, typically 60 to 75 minutes from the airport, and offers something Lara and Belek do not: genuine history alongside the beach. The town's Roman ruins, including a well-preserved amphitheatre and the Temple of Apollo, sit within walking distance of several resorts, and West Beach's shallow, calm water suits families with younger children. Side generally offers a more affordable, lower-rise alternative to central Antalya, appealing to families who want sightseeing built into a beach holiday.
Kemer, about an hour from the airport, is backed by the Taurus Mountains rather than flat coastline, giving it a more dramatic, outdoor-focused setting. Alongside standard beach and pool time, the area offers access to canyoning, paragliding and the Tahtalı cable car. It suits families and couples who want some adventure built into an all-inclusive week, rather than a holiday spent entirely within the resort grounds.
It's also worth separating Lara from Konyaaltı, Antalya's other well-known beach, since the two are often confused. Lara is resort-focused, built around all-inclusive hotels with private beach sections, while Konyaaltı sits inside Antalya city itself, backed by cafes, the tram network and the old town. Konyaaltı suits travellers who want to explore independently rather than stay within a single resort for the week.
Three resorts stand out for different types of family trip, based on verified current facilities rather than marketing copy.
Best for waterpark lovers: Aska Lara Resort & Spa. Aska Lara includes unlimited entry to its adjoining waterpark between April and October, on top of its own five outdoor pools, two indoor pools and a dedicated splash park. That makes it a strong Lara option for families whose plans revolve around slides and water play rather than a quiet pool. It sits around 800 metres back from the beach rather than directly on it, and the waterpark benefit does not apply outside its April-to-October season.
Best for younger children: Concorde De Luxe Resort. Concorde De Luxe runs a structured kids' club for ages four to twelve, alongside a dedicated children's pool, playground and babysitting service. Its private stretch of sandy Lara beach has a gentle entry into the water, which suits toddlers or nervous young swimmers better than a resort built around a steeper beach. It sits a little further from Lara's central strip, so weigh that against its quieter, more contained setting.
Best for multi-generational and luxury family stays: Sherwood Exclusive Lara. This five-star, beachfront resort combines a kids' club for ages four to twelve with a broad spa offer, including a hammam, sauna and steam room, plus six outdoor pools and one indoor pool.
That mix suits multi-generation trips, where grandparents want spa time while grandchildren use the kids' club, better than resorts built around one age group. Its scale means it can feel busier at peak times than smaller, boutique-style properties.
Two resorts illustrate the clearest distinction UK couples should understand before booking: a genuinely adults-only resort, and a family resort that still offers meaningful adult-only space.
Genuinely adults-only: TUI Blue Belek. Formerly marketed as Sensimar Belek Resort & Spa, this Belek property is listed as an 18-plus, adults-only resort by multiple UK and European booking platforms.
It offers a full spa, outdoor pool, private beach access and all-inclusive dining across several restaurants and bars. Because children are not permitted on-site at any time, it suits couples wanting a genuinely quiet resort rather than one that simply has fewer children around at certain times of year.
Family resort with adult-only space: Baia Lara Hotel. Baia Lara is not an adults-only resort. It runs a kids' club and welcomes families, but it also maintains a separate adult-only pool alongside its family pool and waterpark area. Reviewers describe the property as generally quiet, with couples tending to gather around the adult pool and pier while family activity concentrates elsewhere on site.
That makes it a realistic option for couples who want some adult-only time without paying for a fully adults-only resort, though it will not feel as consistently quiet as a genuinely adults-only property like TUI Blue Belek.
The distinction matters because adults-only is sometimes used loosely in marketing. A resort with an adult-only pool is not the same booking as one where no children are permitted at all, and the difference changes the atmosphere of the week.
| Resort | Best for | Key facilities | Location/vibe | Main consideration |
| Aska Lara Resort & Spa | Waterpark-loving families | Unlimited on-site waterpark (Apr-Oct), 5 outdoor + 2 indoor pools | Lara, ~800m from beach | Not directly beachfront; waterpark is seasonal |
| Concorde De Luxe Resort | Families with younger children | Kids' club (4-12), children's pool, gentle sandy beach | Lara, private beach | Sits further from Lara's main strip |
| Sherwood Exclusive Lara | Multi-generational or luxury families | Kids' club (4-12), spa/hammam, 6 outdoor + 1 indoor pool | Lara, beachfront | Large resort can feel busy at peak times |
| TUI Blue Belek (Adults Only) | Couples wanting genuine adults-only quiet | Full spa, private beach, all-inclusive dining, 18+ only | Belek | No family option; fully child-free by policy |
| Baia Lara Hotel | Couples or families wanting some adult-only space | Kids' club plus a separate adult-only pool and waterpark area | Lara, beachfront | Not fully adults-only; not a silent resort |
Facilities and policies can change between seasons. Always confirm current inclusions and age ranges directly with the resort or your tour operator before booking.
Star ratings alone do not tell you much about whether a resort suits your holiday. Two five-star resorts in the same area can differ enormously once you look past the rating, so these are the factors worth checking directly on a hotel's own listing or a UK tour operator's page before booking.
Whether an ultra all-inclusive resort in Antalya offers good value depends on your comparison point, with total holiday cost being a more relevant measure than just room price.
A room-only or bed-and-breakfast rate at a similar resort in Spain or Greece may seem cheaper, but it often excludes meals, drinks, and activities, which are charged separately.
In contrast, an all-inclusive or ultra all-inclusive rate in Antalya combines most costs into one upfront price, making budgeting more predictable, even if the nightly rate appears higher.
The distinction between all-inclusive and ultra all-inclusive is also significant. Ultra all-inclusive usually costs more per night but eliminates many extra charges that standard all-inclusive guests would incur.
Prices vary widely by resort, room type, board basis, and travel date and fluctuate with demand. Generally, prices for Antalya's peak UK school-holiday weeks increase well in advance, so early booking helps secure both availability and price. Additionally, exchange rate changes between sterling and the Turkish lira can impact spending outside your board base, so check current rates before departure.
Antalya's ultra all-inclusive model provides great value for UK families and couples by bundling accommodation, meals, drinks, entertainment, and resort facilities into one price, making budgeting easier than room-only options in the Mediterranean.
Lara is generally the strongest choice for families wanting maximum convenience: it's closest to Antalya Airport and has the highest concentration of large, family-focused resorts with kids' clubs and waterpark options.
Belek is better for couples and families wanting a quieter, luxury resort with golf, though it's further from the airport than Lara.
Side is perfect for families interested in ancient sites and affordable beach resorts, while Kemer appeals to those wanting mountain views and outdoor activities.
All-inclusive and ultra all-inclusive are not interchangeable terms, and inclusions vary by resort and package, so check exactly what's covered, especially drinks hours, à la carte access and minibar, before comparing price against a rival hotel.
Adults-only can mean a genuinely child-freAe resort or simply an adult-only pool within a family hotel; confirm which applies before booking if a quiet atmosphere is the priority.
UK school-holiday weeks are Antalya's busiest and priciest period, so booking several months ahead tends to protect both price and resort availability.
Choosing between Lara's convenience, Belek's quieter luxury, Side's history or Kemer's scenery ultimately comes down to what your family or your relationship actually wants a week away, and that answer is different for every traveller.
Travelapp UK's Turkey holiday packages let you compare resort options across Antalya's main areas, including current availability and pricing for both family-focused and adults-only properties, so you can weigh the trade-offs in this guide against your own budget and dates. If you already know Antalya is the right destination, our Antalya holiday packages narrow that comparison down to resorts within the city and its surrounding coastline, while our flights page is a useful starting point if you'd rather book flights and accommodation separately.
Get in touch and we'll help you compare family-focused and couples-focused resorts based on what matters most for your holiday.
Quick answers to common questions. Reach out if you need more help.
Lara is generally the best area for families wanting large all-inclusive resorts, kids' clubs and short airport transfers. Belek is better suited to travellers looking for quieter luxury, golf and spacious five-star resorts. Side works well for families who want beaches and historical attractions, while Kemer is a stronger choice for mountain scenery and outdoor activities.
Standard all-inclusive usually covers meals, selected drinks and snacks during set hours, while ultra all-inclusive generally adds a wider range of drinks, longer food and drink service, à la carte dining and extras such as minibars or selected activities. However, there is no universal definition, so always check the exact inclusions of your chosen resort and package.
Concorde De Luxe Resort is a strong option for families with younger children because it combines a dedicated kids' club, children's pool, playground and a sandy private beach with relatively gentle water entry. Families should still check the current kids' club age range and supervision arrangements before booking.
TUI Blue Belek is one of the clearest choices for couples wanting a genuinely child-free holiday because it operates as an adults-only, 18-plus resort. Couples who do not require a completely child-free environment could instead consider a family resort such as Baia Lara, which has a separate adults-only pool.
Transfer times vary by resort area. Lara is the closest major resort area, with many hotels around 20 minutes from Antalya Airport. Belek is typically around 35 to 40 minutes away, Kemer around an hour and Side around 60 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic and the exact hotel.
Antalya is generally the better choice for families prioritising resort choice, waterparks, kids' facilities and a shorter airport transfer. Alanya can suit families looking for a more relaxed atmosphere and lower-density resort experience, but the journey from Antalya Airport is considerably longer. The better option ultimately depends on whether convenience and resort choice or a quieter destination matters more.
