Mirage Park Resort

The Mirage may not be the sleekest or most luxurious hotel in Kemer, but it offers all the amenities expected of more upscale all-inclusive resorts, including free imported drinks, a water park, a spa with a lovely Turkish bath, and a sandy, private stretch of beach. Opened in 1996, the hotel is showing its age in some public areas, but everything is kept clean and tidy, and partial renovations in early 2016 did away with the more dated elements. The lobby has a laid-back beachy feel, with wicker accents, a pastel palette, and big windows offering views of the gardens. Clean lines and a combination of earth tones add some style in restaurants and bars, but the overall feel of the property is more homey and cozy than stylish or modern.

Outside, the grounds are lush and relaxing, with rope hammocks scattered throughout, and palm trees and Mediterranean pines offering some shade over manicured lawns dotted with flowers. Big terraces covered with sail shades and white awnings offer plenty of seating near bars and restaurants. Most guests, though, spend their days either taking part in the many activities offered daily at the water park, snoozing by the quieter main pool, or swimming in the clear waters of the hotel’s private stretch of beach. In the winter, the hotel is a popular venue for corporate events, but the summer draws families hailing mostly from Russia, former Soviet republics, and Europe. 

The hotel is located in an area packed with other all-inclusive resorts, ranging from high-end properties with decadent interiors and services, to more average upper-middle-range hotels with slightly dated interiors. Of all, the Mirada del Mar is the hotel’s most direct competitor, with similar rates and amenities but a somewhat more upscale feel. The neighboring Queen’s Park Goynuk also offers a similar experience, but the Mirage has better rooms and a nicer spa.

Set in a touristy area between the imposing Taurus Mountains and the sea, the Mirage Park feels a little isolated. The landscape is beautiful and serene -- with hundreds of pine trees covering the rugged peaks, and the Mediterranean sparkling in the distance -- but there is little of interest within walking distance of the hotel. The Goynuk tourist neighborhood, home to a couple dozen resorts and a few clothes shops and pharmacies, is a five-minute drive away. Kemer, known for its nightlife and upscale resorts, can be reached by car in about 10 minutes. 

There are several worthwhile attractions within a half-hour drive of the hotel, including the Olympos Aerial Tram and Phaselis Antique City. Antalya’s city center and the airport are each about 50 minutes form the hotel, and the lovely city of Side -- home to stunning ruins, an archaeological museum, and dozens of charming seaside cafes -- is about an hour and 40 minutes away.

The hotel has 499 rooms spread over two boxy white buildings set amid gardens. All rooms are decorated in the same casual beachy style, but units in the Main Building are slightly larger and therefore a touch more expensive than those in the Park section. White wicker furniture punctuated with gray and blue accents makes rooms feel homey and cute (if not quite stylish), but brownish-gray carpets and small, generic paintings above the bed are a tad bland. Large windows open onto furnished balconies, about 50 percent of which offer sea views; the rest look over the gardens or the mountains. All rooms have smart TVs, central air-conditioning, electronic safes, and minibars stocked with water, sodas and two beers (replenished daily free of charge). Free Wi-Fi can be spotty at times, but upgrades are available for a fee. Bathrooms are average for the price, with clean shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and hotel-brand toiletries. 

The Mirage’s six two-bedroom villas are housed in three stand-alone buildings adjacent to the beach. They all have spacious living areas, small patios with loungers, and kitchens equipped with dishwashers, cooktops, electric kettles, and mini-fridges. Cooking utensils and crockery are provided on request. 

The resort has two large outdoor pools, including a bustling one with daily activities, loud music and three waterslides, and a quieter one with a more relaxing atmosphere. There are dozens of loungers and umbrellas around both of them, and clusters of palm trees and pines offer some shade in the lawns around the main pool deck. A smaller indoor pool with large windows and a whirlpool is a nice alternative in the colder months. The beach is a lovely stretch of sand with several rows of loungers and umbrellas, and has a wooden pier with direct access to the water, a few chairs, and a bar serving drinks. A limited number of water sports are available free of charge (a rarity in Antalya), and there is a net for beach volleyball competitions. 

The spa is small but pleasant and relaxing, with warm lighting and lots of wood accents. All guests get free access to a lovely marble hammam, two saunas, and a steam bath, and treatments are available for a fee. Couples can rent a private room with two massage beds and a whirlpool. The fitness center is small but well-equipped, with an array of cardio and strength-training machines, as well as a rack with free weights. There are also five tennis courts that guests can use free of charge, but there is a fee for floodlights and for loaner equipment. The entertainment team conducts yoga and a number of fitness classes every morning, and evening shows include professional performances several nights a week.

Kids are kept busy with dozens of daily activities both indoors and outdoors, and there is music and performances for children every night at the amphitheater. Bowling, video games, and pool tables are available for a charge at the game room. 

While the hotel draws mostly families in the summer, its extensive meeting space make the Mirage a popular corporate event venue in the winter. The hotel has 11 rooms, ranging from small boardrooms to large halls for banquets and congresses, all featuring audiovisual equipment and free Wi-Fi. Several booths for simultaneous wireless translation are available in the largest ballroom. 

The hotel offers several restaurants on-site, including buffet and a la carte options. The main restaurant serves a varied buffet spread with Turkish, Mediterranean, and international cuisine. The dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a shaded terrace with garden views and a show cooking area.  

Guests staying four nights or more can have dinner once at any of the two on-site a la cartes as well. The fish restaurant, located by the main pool and offering sea views, is the most popular of the two. There is also a smaller a la carte serving Turkish cuisine, and a snack bar open during the day. Food is available 24/7 and generally gets good reviews, and the bar on the mezzanine level opens through the night.