Sherwood Exclusive Lara

Though one of the less flamboyant-looking hotels in the area, Sherwood Breezes Resort occupies a smart and stylish building with a cool natural stone and shimmering glass facade. Stepping inside, the bright and lofty lobby area soars up all nine floors of the property while shiny stone floors, wingback chairs, and splashes of contemporary art tastefully blend traditional and modern elements. Although built in 2005, the hotel benefitted from a 2014 revamp, which lent the interiors a genuinely polished, 21st-century feel that has been maintained since. While fronted by its own water park, to the rear stretch immaculate gardens of spacious manicured lawns and innumerable palm trees that extend down to the long sandy beach. While mostly popular with vacationing families, the vibe is also chic enough for couples looking for somewhere with a bit of class. 

The hotel is located in the district of Lara set between a long stretch of sandy beach and a main coastal highway that connects to the popular Turkish resort destination of Antalya. Set overlooking the Mediterranean on Turkey's south coast, the property is surrounded by similar hotels, shopping malls, and souvenir shops, though there is not much in the way of restaurants and bars beyond those on-site. The location does make for easy access to Antalya Airport -- 15 minutes away by car -- while downtown Antalya takes about a half-hour.

Sherwood Breezes Resort has just shy off 500 rooms, all of which received a major makeover in 2014 and it shows in the attractive hardwood floors, fresh contemporary styling, and chic modern furnishings. While some Standard Rooms can feel a bit small, all rooms open to furnished terraces or balconies, many with views over the Mediterranean (though a few rooms overlook a wall). Minibars are restocked daily and flat-screen TVs have satellite channels, though guests complain of poor Wi-Fi service. Smart polished bathrooms have walk-in showers and wall-mounted toiletries and hairdryers, while suites also include jetted tubs. 

The Woodland Restaurant is the hotel's main eatery that provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style with a wide range of international favorites and a terrace overlooking the sea. There are also three a la carte restaurants -- Italian, Turkish, and Asian -- while a selection of bars and two patisseries provide drinks and snacks. Pools include a large free-form pool with three whirlpools, a children's splash pool, indoor pool, and infinity-edge pool made for relaxation, while over 500 feet of sandy beach is exclusive for guests' use (beach cabins with private butler service are an added touch of luxury). Kids are also well catered for with an on-site water park, mini-club, and football club for children of all ages. There's even a spa with hot tubs, saunas, and a traditional Turkish bath, while evening entertainment includes a late-night disco and beach parties.  

The hotel's all-inclusive plan covers buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main buffet restaurant as well as one a la carte meal per stay. Snacks including ice cream are also provided at select times between meals, together with a choice of cakes at the patisserie and a daily midnight buffet. A range of mostly locally produced alcoholic and soft drinks are also included, as well as some international brands -- all available 24 hours via room service.