Eftalia Holiday Village

Despite being one of eight Eftalia properties in the region, the Holiday Village doesn’t feel chain-like. The hotel is designed as a miniature city, with a dozen three-story white buildings with terra-cotta tile roofs and wooden balconies, and cobblestone paths lined by manicured gardens and cute wrought-iron street lamps. A small square with a few shops selling beach gear, shoes, clothes, drinks, and electronics round out the village feel. The property is relatively small by all-inclusive standards, but has all the features expected of larger resorts, including several pools, a water park, a buffet restaurant, and a number of bars. Additionally, a private underpass connects the property to Eftalia Island, a huge beachfront area shared with three other sister properties and featuring a number of other pools and restaurants, a spa, a kids’ club, sports facilities, and a pebbly beach. All entertainment -- including daily activities and evening shows -- takes place at the Island. 

The atmosphere is lively at Eftalia Holiday Village (maybe even a little too busy and loud for some), with kids of all ages running around, golf carts shuttling guests from reception to their rooms, and families relaxing on couches under porched terraces. The summer months are the busiest here, and the lobby seems to be forever full of people checking in or out, waiting for their tour bus, or just on their phones. Eftalia Island is particularly active, and with a maximum capacity of 5,000 people, it can feel overcrowded and a little too busy at times. The hotel closes in the winter, but low rates and contemporary family-friendly rooms (the largest units have three bedrooms) make this a popular affordable option even in the off-peak season. Most guests here are families from the U.K., Belgium, Holland, and Germany, but the Eftalia also gets a good share of visitors from Russia and Poland. 

The hotel underwent extensive renovations in 2015, and while rooms and bathrooms feel fresh and contemporary, some common areas have an odd mix of old and new. The lobby is particularly eclectic, with brown and golden wallpaper, cute white latticework accents, and laminate floors, along with generic suede-style armchairs, terrazzo tiles, mirrored pillars, and classic lamps with golden details. Restaurants and bars at Eftalia Island, though, have a more modern feel, with clean lines, wood and stone accents, and dark floors. 

The Eftalia Holiday Village is a decent pick for families with a tight budget and looking to let loose. Those more interested in exploring Alanya than water parks and kids’ clubs may want to compare rates at sister property Eftalia Aytur, located within walking distance of the city center and across the street from a beach. The more upscale Annabella Diamond Hotel & Spa has great pools, contemporary rooms, and a sandy beach, but rates are higher. The Alan Xafira Deluxe Resort & Spa is a notch above in style and features, but rates aren’t as high as expected due to the property’s location away from the beach.

Eftalia Holiday Village is located in a small resort complex right off the D-400, the main highway in the Antalya region. There are several other hotels and a few shops and restaurants nearby, but little else can be found within walking distance. The property is across the D-400 from the beach, but there is a private underpass that guests can use to avoid having to either cross the road or go the longer way via a bridge. Alanya, located a 20-minute drive from the hotel, offers a wide array of bars, restaurants, and shops, as well as a number of excellent beaches. Major attractions in Alanya include a stunning medieval castle with panoramic views, the Damlatas Caves, and the 13th-century Red Tower. The city of Side -- known for its extraordinary archaeological sites, charming seaside cafes, and many shops -- is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel. The Eftalia Holiday Village is about an hour and a half from the airport.

The hotel has 425 rooms spread over a dozen three-story buildings. The smallest are Standard Rooms with two twins and a sofa bed for a third person, while the largest units feature three bedrooms and can sleep up to six guests. About 95 percent of the rooms were fully renovated in 2015 and have fresh, contemporary decor with laminate or terra-cotta floors, some wood wall paneling, and a stylish Prussian-blue and white color scheme. Minibars stocked with water and juice are hidden inside cute white cabinets with delicate carvings that also decorate the headboards. Tufted benches offer seating at the spacious white desks, and big photos of a field full of tulips and butterflies add a splash of color. Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning, and all have balconies furnished with a couple of plastic chairs, a tiny table, and a clothes rack. Safes are available for a daily fee. 

Bathrooms in these units are small but clean and appealing, with nice walk-in showers with rain showerheads, and gray tiles. Some areas, however, could use some TLC, especially the frayed towels with indelible stains. The hotel provides a bar of soap and shampoo, but nothing else in the way of toiletries. 

Non-renovated rooms are simple and dated, with basic wooden furniture, a bland brown palette, and small, generic paintings above the bed. Bathrooms in these units feature old beige and white tiles, and big shower/tub combos with plastic curtains. 

The spa is small and basic, with a few treatment rooms and a free area with a hammam, a steam room, and a sauna. It is fine for a quick visit, but there is another more pleasant wellness center at Eftalia Island across the road, complete with outdoor areas and thatched huts for massages.

The fitness center is also small and basic, with just a handful of cardio and strength-training machines, and no natural light. Those who prefer to get some exercise outdoors can join the myriad daily activities offered at Eftalia Island, including water polo, aqua gym, step, and yoga. The beach is also across the road, but it is pebbly and guests seem to prefer staying around the many pools available adjacent to it. 

The main kids’ club is also located at the entertainment complex across the road, and features big indoor and outdoor spaces with toys and games, a children’s bar, a mini-amphitheater for shows and activities, and a playground. There is also a game room (for a fee) and a playground with swings, slides, and trampolines at the hotel.

The Eftalia's only meeting room is located above the restaurant and features basic audiovisual equipment. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and those traveling by car can park it free of charge in an empty, unpaved lot across the street from the hotel. 

The hotel has one main restaurant on-site, serving an average buffet for all three meals. Variety and quality are not the top priority here, with the same items being offered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and plenty of frozen and deep-fried foods. Natural orange juice is offered for a small fee for breakfast, but there are few other fresh options available except for a salad bar with a handful of different types of greens and condiments. The dinner service is busy and loud, but offers show cooking with meat, vegetables, and fish. The only other dining option on-site are two snack bars -- one at each pool -- offering a limited array of small bites and drinks during the day.

Eftalia Island offers a number of other restaurants, most of which are an extra fee (kids eat free when accompanied by a paying adult). A la carte restaurants at the entertainment complex include Italian, Asian, Ottoman, and a grill with fast food. There is also an array of bars with shaded terraces and drink menus, and snack booths selling fresh juices, cotton candy, and waffles. 

Eftalia Holiday Village has a medium-size family pool that is pleasant despite its location directly adjacent to the highway. The entrance to the underpass connecting the hotel to Eftalia Island is right next to it, and the deck around the pool gets lots of foot traffic, but the atmosphere is slightly quieter than at the Island. Padded loungers and umbrellas line the pool, and there is a kiddy section separated from the deeper family pool by a metal gate. A bar serves drinks and snacks during the day. 

The water park is large and bustling, with several big slides, a couple of smaller ones for children, and a small kiddy pool with a slide and water features for toddlers. Couples seeking a more relaxing spot can use the adult-only pool adjacent to the lobby building. It is small and there are limited loungers around it, but the vibe is mellower. There is also a small indoor pool at the spa, complete with a separate kiddy section. 

Eftalia Island is the place to go for family fun in the sun. It features several beachfront pools and water parks with plenty of slides, as well as a number of kiddy pools with cute water features such as big ships, mushroom-shaped showers, and octopuses with slides.