Rixos Downtown Antalya

Originally opened in 1990 as the Sheraton Voyager Hotel, this sizable resort became part of the Turkish luxury Rixos hotel chain after a major renovation in 2010. With its glass paneling and curvilinear facade, the property's bold, modern architecture still impresses upon arrival. Stepping inside, the lobby is even more striking, with its soaring sunlit atrium, quad of glass-pod elevators, and conservatory of tropical plants. While a little overdone in places, decor is ritzy, with numerous chandeliers, velour-upholstered seating, and plenty of polished brass. What sets the hotel apart is its surrounding 11 acres of grounds that have exotic plant life, meandering footpaths, and waterways. As a whole, it definitely feels more like a resort that city hotel, especially with spectacular sea views from most of its nine floors. Clientele is a mix of corporate and leisure travelers, and during school holiday breaks families with kids tend to outnumber vacationing couples. Nationalities most represented are British and Russians among tourist and business guests largely Turkish. 

The hotel is located just off a busy main road that runs east into the center of the popular Turkish resort of Antalya. It's set on a verdant clifftop that overlooks the north end of the city's long pebble Konyaalti Beach, which is about 15 minutes away on foot. Aqualand Antalya, Antalya Aquarium, and Aktur Lunapark theme park are also within 10 minutes' drive. Charming Antalya Old Town is about 10 to 15 minutes away by cab, where much of the city's dining and nightlife can be found. The hotel is conveniently located for various business and event venues, with the Antalya Culture MR, Cam Piramit centers, and Antalya Stadium all within walking distance. It's farther from Antalya Airport than most hotels in the area at roughly a 30-minute drive. 

The hotel has a grand total of 360 guest rooms and suites, most of which are well-maintained with plush pastel and gold fabrics, patterned carpets, and a pleasant-though-generic chain-hotel feel. Starting at a generous 345 square feet (32 square meters) rooms are spacious, but some are more dated than others and show signs of age. Many higher-level rooms offer spectacular sea views, some from large, furnished terraces, stretching for miles along the coast. 

Standard amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars (including spirits), kettles, robes, slippers, and free in-room Wi-Fi, though it can be hit or miss in some parts of the hotel. Marble-lined bathrooms have walk-in showers, generic toiletries, telephones, and modern hairdryers. Suites get an upgrade to L'Occitane products. 

The Rixos Downtown Antalya certainly has all the facilities you might expect from a high-end resort hotel. For dining, the main restaurant is open for buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and there are three a la carte eateries that with Italian, Russian, Turkish, and Japanese cuisine. Breakfast is not included as standard, though various special packages are sometimes available. There's also a lobby bar, and the outdoor Sundowner Bar and Tropic Bar and Restaurant serves tropical fruit juices and alcoholic and virgin cocktails. Most guests agree that food quality is rather good across both buffet and a la carte dining. 

There are two outdoor pools, one small (and the resort's only heated outdoor pool) and the second large and freeform, lined with comfy loungers and umbrellas. Children have their own splash pool and there's a free kids' club that runs during school holidays for both younger and older kids. Meanwhile, grown-ups have free access to an extensive spa, with his and hers steam rooms, saunas, plush lounge areas, and a long list of massage and health treatments. There's also a huge fitness center and two tennis courts (with a fee for floodlights). For entertainment, the chain owns the Land of the Legends Amusement Park so guests get free entry for most of the year. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, though it can be slow and spotty, and on-site parking is free as well. The hotel also provides free regular shuttle service to the beach.