Club Hotel Sera

If there is one thing that makes Club Hotel Sera stand out among the rest is the decor. Interiors are surprisingly ornate for a three-and-a-half-pearl beach hotel, and while some love it, others find it overdone. Gilded details, mirrored surfaces, rich fabrics, and coffered ceilings with grand chandeliers create an explosion of color and textures that gives spaces a flamboyant feel. Behind this magnificent decor, however, the hotel has a more relaxed vibe, with a bustling atmosphere, tons of families with children, and loud music throughout -- even indoors. Business travelers are drawn in large numbers to this hotel in the winter thanks to its extensive meeting space, but in the summer most guests are Russian and German families. This keeps the property lively and busy, not only around the pools but also in the lobby, which is the only place where guests can get free Wi-Fi. 

At over 430,000 square feet, the grounds are big for a city hotel, but the property can feel overcrowded at times. Dozens of loungers are packed together around pools and at the beach, and the main restaurant looks more like a huge ballroom covered in tables. There is a quieter section with a pool away from the entertainment and kids’ areas, but music from the main deck still carries, and there is quite some foot traffic, as the shops and some of the bars are nearby. 

While the Club Hotel Sera is a decent pick in this pearl category for families and couples wanting an active vacation, those on a tighter budget may want to compare rates at the Kervansaray Lara Hotel, though rooms there are in need of an update. Hotel SU is another cheaper option in Antalya, complete with a large pool, free access to a water park, and a private section on Konyaalti Beach. Couples seeking something with a more peaceful vibe may prefer the Ramada Plaza Antalya, located within easy walking distance of the Old City.  

Club Hotel Sera is located in a residential beachfront community east of the city center. The area is generally quiet, and there are only private homes and a few cafes and shops selling beach gear within easy walking distance. The resort’s grounds open directly onto Lara Beach, a long stretch of shingles and sand where there are several dozen loungers for guests. The Duden Waterfalls are just about a five-minute drive away, and the city center can be reached in about 25 minutes. The quaint Old City (or Kaleici), which is home to many historic attractions and charming shops, is about a half-hour drive away. The drive to the airport usually takes less than 15 minutes. There is a public bus stop right outside the hotel. 

The hotel has 550 rooms, all decorated in the same ornate style as the common areas, with wall and ceiling moldings, golden accents, and rich fabrics in bold colors. The palette is different in each block, though: dark brown in the Elegance block, green and pink in the Club, and white and beige in the Park section. At 193 square feet, Standard Rooms in the Club and Park buildings are about half the size of those in the Elegance section, while the rest of the room types are similar in size in all blocks. All units have glass doors opening onto balconies, but only a few in the Elegance building have sea views. 

In-room amenities are up-to-date, but a little basic. All rooms are outfitted with flat-screen TVs with international channels, electric kettles, and electronic safes. However, instead of full minibars, rooms have mini-fridges stocked only with free water and juice, and Wi-Fi is only free in the lobby. Toiletries are also limited, with just small bottles of shampoo and hair conditioner, plus a bar of soap. Bathrooms vary in style -- while some are spacious and have a similar decor style as bedrooms (think: golden accents in ceiling moldings and mirror frames), others have a funky contemporary style, with purple mosaic tiles, and thick golden mirror frames. All bathrooms, however, have oval basins in dark green marble-like counters, and either shower/tub combos with plastic curtains or rainfall showers.  

The hotel has several restaurants, both indoors and outdoors. In the summer, breakfast and lunch are served in the main buffet, while dinner is available at the outdoor Garden 89 Restaurant. There are also three a la carte eateries open for dinner in the summer, including Mexican, sushi, and Italian, but only the latter is open in the winter. Most guests seem to find food decent but nothing to write home about. The all-inclusive package covers local drinks only. 

During the day, guests gather around the hotel’s three pools, one of which has sea water, three small slides, music, and a program of activities and games. There is a quieter pool a little away from the hustle and bustle, as well as a large one with a kiddy pool and direct access to a big bar. The indoor pool features a separate whirlpool and opens only in the winter. All guests can use the spa's hammam and sauna free of charge, while several types of massages and body treatments are available for a fee. The fitness center is pleasant and well-equipped, offering a great array of cardio and strength-training machines, along with personal trainers, music, and flat-screen TVs. 

The kids’ club is cute, if a little basic, with a small playground under a roof, and a compact area with a few tables for arts and crafts. There are also 10 boardrooms and several large halls for corporate events and meetings.