Gloria Verde Resort

The Gloria Verde is for families and couples that seek the convenience of an all-inclusive but don’t necessarily need a Vegas-style property with jaw-dropping architecture and amenities. The vibe here is friendly and quiet, with lush Mediterranean gardens full of mature pine trees, shrubs and flowers, and big, inviting lawns. The hotel is small by Belek all-inclusive standards, with just 250 rooms, one large pool, and three restaurants. The property, though, is long and narrow, allowing for a clear separation between the fun, active section closest to the beach, and the quieter areas around the rooms. There’s quite a trek between the rooms and the beach and pool areas, but this layout makes for quiet nights and a more relaxing atmosphere. 

Opened in 2001, the Gloria Verde is the smallest of the three Gloria properties in Belek; the other two are the Gloria Golf and the Gloria Serenity. It is also the most friendly and laid-back of all, with a carefully thought-out design but fewer frills than its sisters. One of the first things that stands out on arrival is how green the indoor spaces are. Everywhere, plants blur the line between the indoors and outdoors, and large windows make common spaces sunny and appealing. Decor may not be decadent or sleek, but the simple style goes well with the general vibe. Interiors draw heavily on natural materials such as stone and wood, and the circular lobby, while somewhat generic in style, has cute architectural details such as large exposed brick arches, a huge skylight, and a central garden with a pond.

The Gloria Verde is a great pick for families, but some resorts in the the area offer a wider array of amenities for kids. In this price range, the Papillon Ayscha has a more bustling atmosphere and more contemporary rooms. The Rixos Premium Belek is a huge property with everything under the sun for children, including massive pools, a stunning water park, a larger kids’ club, and even street carnivals with mascots and property tours in colorful fun trains with music and balloons. For a more mellow option, the Crystal Tat Beach Golf Resort & Spa offers great value for money and has more stylish rooms. The Papillon Zeugma Relaxury and the Kempinski Hotel The Dome generally have higher rates but are also more luxurious.

Gloria Verde Resort and Spa is located right on a private stretch of beach and right across the street from the Gloria Golf Club. The area is quiet and serene, with dozens of self-contained resorts packed along the beach, and numerous internationally renowned golf courses. There is little within walking distance, but there are a few restaurants and shops in Belek, a five-minute drive away. Side, known for its impressive Hellenistic and Roman ruins and cute seaside cafes, is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel. Driving to Antalya and its many historic sites -- including Hadrian’s Gate and the Yivliminare Mosque -- takes also about 45 minutes. The hotel is a 35-minute drive from the airport.

The hotel has 250 rooms spread over the Main and Garden Buildings, plus 18 villas in a section across the street. Rooms and suites are decorated in a simple, homey style with a range of earth tones, carpet floors, and generic wooden furniture. The overall style is a little plain, but rooms are comfortable and warm, and feature nice amenities such as free Wi-Fi, LCD TVs, safes, electric kettles, and central air-conditioning. Minibars are restocked daily free of charge with snacks, water, sodas, beer, juice, and candy. The 270-square-foot Standard Rooms are the smallest here, with just about enough space to fit in two queen-size beds, an armchair, and a desk. Floor-to-ceiling windows, though, add some visual space and open onto spacious balconies with garden views. About a quarter of the 250 rooms have sea views. All suites feature living areas with sofa beds, and Family Suites (located in the Garden Building) have two bedrooms. 

Bathrooms are particularly contemporary and appealing, with a stylish combination of beige and dark veined marble-style tiles on walls and floors. Shaving and dental kits are provided along with cotton swabs, shampoo, shower gel, and conditioner. Spacious glass-enclosed showers have rain showerheads, and all units feature robes, slippers, and scales. Some suites have jetted tubs.

Villas are located in a separate area complete with its own pool, restaurant, and gym across the street from the main building. All of these units have two bedrooms, a living area with a dining table, and a kitchen equipped with a washer, an espresso machine, and basic cooking facilities. Decor is a little more stylish that in rooms and suites, though there are a few terrazzo accents that make these units feel a tad dated. Guests staying in villas are assigned a private golf cart to move around the property. 

One of the hotel’s best features is its lovely spa, decorated with lots of exposed stone accents, polished wooden floors, and candles. The atmosphere is relaxing, with a soothing scent, soft music, and Asian-inspired patterns and ornaments. All guests get free access to a hammam, a sauna, and a steam room, and towels, disposable bikinis, and shower caps are provided free of charge. Ayurveda, Asian, anti-aging, and anti-cellulite treatments are available on-site, as are salon services, an array of massages, and shiatsu. The thalassotherapy area features saltwater and freshwater pools (both heated in the winter) for swimming, relaxing, or for physical therapy sessions. Couples can rent a VIP Suite with a private sauna, a steam room, a whirlpool, and two treatment beds. 

The fitness center is housed in a stand-alone building with huge windows offering views of the gardens, and features an outstanding array of cardio and strength-training equipment. There are are personal trainers, a few group classes, and some spin bikes. The tennis court has floodlights for night play, and there is a small soccer field. 

There are three pools at Gloria Verde: a large, multi-level one with an infinity edge, a small one with waterslides for kids, and a pleasant indoor pool with a kiddy section and a large skylight. There is daily entertainment by the main pool, but the volume is generally kept low. There is an additional zero-entry kiddy pool with a sandy bottom and water features. The beach is also a good place for kids, as it has fine sand and lots of shade. Waiter service is available during the day, and there is a wooden pier with additional seating and a small bar. Lovely thatched cabanas and water sports are available for a fee. 

The cute kids’ club offers and array of activities for all age groups, a playground, and a specific program for teens. There is free shuttle service to its sister properties, where kids can take part in other activities and visit the Gloria Zoo (at the edge of Gloria Serenity), which is home to flamingos, ponies, and goats. 

The hotel also features three flexible meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at the hotel’s main restaurant, a large buffet offering a varied, quality spread with plenty of fresh Mediterranean specialties and homemade baked goods. A smaller late breakfast is served at Garuda Restaurant, which turns into the Asian a la carte restaurant for dinner. Food at the Gloria Verde generally gets good reviews, but the most popular on-site a la carte is Bazilika, which serves excellent French cuisine in a cute dining room with painted vaulted ceilings, large windows, and stone floors. There is also a patisserie serving several types of coffee and pastries, a lovely lobby lounge with large windows and comfy seating, and a snack bar by the beach. 

Most guests choose the all-inclusive option, but the hotel also offers half-board rates that include breakfast and dinner, but not drinks. Unlike at most other all-inclusives, there are no wristbands at Gloria Verde. Instead, guests have to carry their room card around, which those on half-board need to swipe every time they purchase something. Some find this system a little annoying, while others may prefer it to wearing wristbands. 

The Gloria Hotels Group is known not only for its upscale properties but also more widely for its excellent golf courses, all of which are located a short (and free) shuttle ride away from the Gloria Verde. Two of them are 18-hole championship courses, and there is a smaller nine-hole one right next door. The Old Course is the most challenging of the two, with long and narrow fairways lined with pine trees, and a par five first hole. The New Course, however, is shorter and more open and is suitable for all types of gofers. The nine-hole Verde Course is good for warming up or practicing specific techniques.

All three courses share a large driving range for up to 100 golfers, an 18-hole putting green, and a gorgeous clubhouse complete with a a lovely restaurant and bar, a pro shop, and lockers for men and women. The golf academy has several professional coaches, over one hundred golf carts, and 500 trolleys.

The resort’s natural, slightly wild feel is in line with its commitment to protect the environment and minimize the impact tourism has on local fauna and flora. Throughout the gardens, bird feeding stations and boards with information about the animals and birds found in the area try to harmonize the interaction between tourism and nature. Additionally, the hotel uses eco-friendly linen and cleaning products, as well as ozone technology instead of chlorine to treat pool water.