IC Hotels Santai

Housed in a six-story, raspberry-colored building, the Santai looks older from the outside than it is inside. The hotel opened in 1995 as part of the first batch of beachfront resorts built in Belek, but underwent extensive renovations in 2012 and again in 2016. Interiors have a subdued elegant style, with a white-and-blue palette in the lobby, and an attractive combination of gray hues and natural wood accents in restaurants. Couches and armchairs with classic lines dot common areas throughout, while white wainscoting, tufted ottomans, and thick rugs over wooden floors make for cozy spaces. The outdoors have a more laid-back, tropical feel, with large pools lined with red umbrellas, palm trees throughout, and big lawns. 

The wide array of kid-friendly amenities make the resort an excellent pick for families, and the vibe is definitely bustling. The summer is particularly animated, when the buffet restaurant can feel overrun with kids, and guests around the main pool area are kept busy with activities and games. Still, the hotel also offers some more serene areas for those wanting some peace and quiet, including an adult-only pool by the main entrance, surrounded by a spacious garden shaded by pine trees and dotted with loungers and rope hammocks.

The IC Hotels Santai is one of the top family picks in this price range thanks to its kids’ club, food quality, and great pools, but those wanting to splurge may prefer the Bellis Deluxe Hotel. It has its own zoo, a kids’ club with a soccer field, and a horse riding academy, but rates vary widely throughout the year. The kids’ club at the Sueno Hotels Deluxe Belek is second to none -- it is open 24/7 in the summer, and has a bumping cars area, a ballet studio, and several pools for all ages. Golfers and couples looking for something slightly quieter may prefer the Titanic Deluxe Belek, which has a lovely riverside setting, stylish rooms, and a massive pool. 

The IC Hotels Santai is located on a two-lane road lined by golf courses on one side and beachfront resorts on the other. There is nothing within walking distance of the property aside from other hotels, but Kadriye and Belek are each less than a 15-minute drive away and are both home to a few restaurants and shops. The public bus to Kadriye stops right outside the hotel, and there is a taxi stand by the main entrance. The Belek area is known for its world-class golf, and there are over a dozen golf courses within a five-minute drive of the hotel, including the National, the three Gloria courses, and the Carya. Antalya city center is about a 40-minute drive away, and the hotel is less than a half-hour drive from the airport.

The hotel has a total of 508 rooms, all decorated in the same subdued style, with laminate floors, wooden furniture with classic lines, and an earth-tone palette with pops of blue in chairs or sofas. Walls are empty except for a couple of paintings, which makes rooms feel a little cold, but large glass doors opening onto furnished balconies (some offering sea views) let in the lovely outdoors. 

Amenities are on par with other four-pearl resorts, and include central air-conditioning, electric kettles with free tea and coffee, safes, and minibars stocked with sodas, water, and beer, all replenished daily free of charge. Our bed was one of the most comfortable we’ve slept on in Belek, and was topped with a soft, light duvet and several pillows. Wi-Fi was also one of the best we’ve seen, with a strong, reliable signal throughout the property. Bathrooms in Standard Rooms and lower-category suites are clean but simple, with beige marble-like tiles, big sinks over wooden vanities, hotel-brand toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers. Senior and King Suites are have jetted tubs. 

The hotel added the Villa section in 2015, but though the word villa may suggest stand-alone structures with private gardens, units here are junior suites and two-bedroom suites housed in charming two-story structures set around two shared pools. Sun and Star are the standard villa types, with one and two rooms, respectively, comfortable living areas with sofa beds, and spacious terraces overlooking the pools. Bathrooms in these rooms are more stylish and modern than those found in the main building, with cute hydraulic tiles on floors, walk-in showers clad in white subway tiles, and wooden, lantern-style lamps. 

The hotel has several rows of loungers and a snack bar on a private stretch of a lovely, sandy beach. There is a small wooden pier, but no loungers are available there, and we saw few guests using it. The two main pools are located between the main building and the beach, and there is a quieter, adult-only one by the main entrance. The villa section has its own two pools, each surrounded by a narrow strip of grass that can get a little crowded in the summer. There is an additional indoor pool that is open and heated year-round. 

Lilium Spa is sunny and appealing, with large windows overlooking the gardens, a great juice bar, and soft instrumental music throughout. All guests get free access to a hammam, a sauna, and a steam room, and there are six massage rooms where guests can get body treatments for a fee. The fitness center was renovated in 2016 and is equipped with many modern cardio and strength-training machines.

Whereas most all-inclusive packages in this price range cover just a few basic imported drinks, the Santai’s includes all imported drinks as well as unlimited ice cream. The variety and quality of food at the main buffet restaurant is excellent, and there is a separate table with daily specials, including appetizers, main courses, sides, and desserts. The morning spread offers tons of options as well, including eggs several ways, great filter coffee and espresso, several fresh fruit juices, and pancakes. However, some guests have complained that the spread starts to feel repetitive after a week or so.The main dining room can be loud and hectic in the summer, but the terrace is generally quieter.  

There are also five a la carte restaurants -- including Italian, Mexican, sushi, Ottoman, and fish -- all of which are an additional charge. Snacks and lighter meals are available at the beachside snack bar, and local and imported drinks are served 24/7 at the cozy lobby bar.

As a hotel that caters almost exclusively to families, there is a wide range of rooms suitable for larger groups. Standard Rooms have enough space to comfortably fit three guests, but suites are probably a better option. Kids’ Suites have a separate room with bunk beds and fun, colorful decor; Junior Suites can fit up to two additional beds in the living room. Villas have between one and four bedrooms, but no kitchens. 

The kids’ club features separate areas for toddlers, children, and teens. A small plaza covered by sail shades is lined with several colorful huts housing two separate areas: one for babies up to three years old and complete with a shallow pool and a playground, and a bigger area for children up to 12 years old. This area has indoor and outdoor spaces with trampolines, video games, toys, a kitchen for activities, and three small movie theaters. The teens’ club is one of the most fun we’ve seen in the area, and has a large, free adventure park and a spacious room with a DJ cabin for workshops, several PlayStations, pool tables, and computers. Additionally, there are several kiddy pools for different ages and a great water park with eight slides for older children.