Lara Family Club

As many guests have noted -- an observation that was confirmed when we arrived -- the hotel has little personality from the outside. In fact, the large, white apartment-style buildings don't convey the idea most travelers have of an all-inclusive resort. Once inside, the Lara Family Club has a noisy, bustling atmosphere. Attempts have been made to give the chain-style decor more elegance, with twinkling chandeliers hanging over contemporary sage-colored chairs and tufted white sofas, but mostly it all feels sort of underwhelming. Marble floors are punctuated by brown patterned carpets with arabesque swirls. The snack shop and many other retail ouposts lining the lobby, though, give it all a slightly more downmarket vibe. There are several restaurants and bars on site, ranging from the casual outdoor tapas restaurant to the more sterile (and sometimes unpleasant smelling) buffet restaurant. There are also plenty of kid-friendly options on site, and families from Russia, Germany, Turkey, and the U.K. make up the bulk of the guests. Like many resorts along this stretch of the Mediterranean, this hotel won't fit the bill for a tranquil escape -- its common areas, from the beach to the pool, are crowded and hectic the entire high season.

About 30 minutes outside of Antalya's old town (Kaleici), the Lara Family Club is on a busy road that's near the beach, but not on the beach. This part of Lara is packed with other mega-resorts and all-inclusive hotels catering to the European continent's holiday-makers, and as such the neighboring roads are filled with all manner of tourist-ready shops and services. The beach and Antalium Premium Mall are within a 15-minute walk, while the Antalya Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Most guests stay on the hotel's grounds, as this is an all-inclusive property, but there are interesting sights in the region for guests with cars, or those willing to shell out for a driver. Kaleici is a charming ancient town core, with plenty of ruins, cafes, boutiques, and restaurants for lovers of history. Other ruins in the area include Perge, a 25-minute drive, and Termessos, a bit over an hour's drive from the hotel. The scenic Duden Waterfalls are 15 minutes away by car. 

There is a bright and fresh quality to guest rooms upon first glance, but at core, they are modern and fairly average, with generic abstract art on the walls, light wood veneer furniture with clean lines, and soft greens alongside neutral tones. Standard and Superior rooms are a tight fit for anyone traveling with more than two people, with little space around the beds to move around. There are larger multi-room Family Rooms that offer a bit more space to stretch out, including separate bedrooms and living rooms (the hotel claims these offer 70 square meters -- 753 square feet -- of space). Light wood laminate floors run through all units and rooms get ample natural light and have furnished balconies, many with Mediterranean views. Rooms on lower floors may pick up street noise. All rooms include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, and mini-fridges, while some have free minibars. White marble tiling lines the walls in bathrooms, which have spacious, black marble vanities and stand-up showers. We saw a good deal of discolored grout and caulking in showers and bathrooms. Toiletries are provided. 

As any all-inclusive resort in Antalya worth its salt should, this hotel offers a large pool with a children's area. The long, blue tile pool has two half-moon-shaped ends has a wooden bridge over it and white lounge chairs for seating. An outdoor kids pool with slides and water features is popular with families, as is the small water park with four water slides. It's worth noting that the pool areas are extremely crowded in the high season, the pool is shaded most of the day, and chairs are coveted.

Food and drinks as well as snacks are included in the all-inclusive packages at this resort, with one main buffet restaurant, seven a la carte restaurants, and four bars including poolside and beach bars. Cuisines range from Asian and Mexican to Turkish and Western, and 24-hour room service is offered as well. The quality of food at the buffet restaurant can be uneven. The full-service spa provides massages and body scrubs plus a sauna and steam room, and there is an outdoor theater with live music and kids' shows.

Outdoor and indoor playgrounds are part of the free kids' club, in addition to an outdoor arcade with foosball and air hockey. Kid-friendly basketball and tennis courts plus a Ping-Pong table are available in addition to water sport and bike rentals. Wi-Fi and the beach shuttle are free, and there are on-site shops with snacks, clothing, and sundries. Cabanas at the beach, which is not on site, are subject to fees. 

Certain amenities are seasonal, such as the kids' club, fitness center, outdoor pool facilities, spa, and sports courts.