Nashira Resort Hotel & Aqua-Spa

Built to resemble a Seljuk-style construction, the Nashira makes for a striking first impression. Two minaret-like towers flank a four-story tall window with stone pillars running the length of the facade, while lush green areas line the building. The vast lobby is decorated with plenty of traditional arabesque details, including gold and turquoise accents, pointed arches with delicate reliefs, and a big fountain shaped like an eight-pointed star. The rest of the hotel has a simpler, more generic feel, with a mix of stylish tufted couches in bright turquoise crushed velvet, and more basic vinyl chairs throughout. 

The property is large in terms of room count, but its grandiose design and busy atmosphere make it feel even bigger and even a touch impersonal, with dozens of people everywhere you look, loud entertainment, and long, dimly lit hallways overlooking a central atrium-style area with bars, shops, and restaurants. Guests -- most of whom are European, Turkish, and Russian families -- don’t seem to care, though, and most enjoy the buzzing vibe and pool games. The Nashira is a good pick for a rowdy family-friendly vacation, but some may find it al little too loud and overcrowded in the peak season. The least appealing part may be dinnertime at the buffet restaurant. Lines for food, tables piled up with plates and leftover food, and kids running around unsupervised can make for a frustrating experience, even for staunch, experienced all-inclusive travelers. 

However, those who can see beyond the crowds may appreciate the lovely grounds, which include massive interconnected pools with cute wooden bridges and lots of flowers. A big thatched bar offers snacks and drinks, and is a vantage point from where to watch the popular pool games. The beach is particularly nice and generally quieter, with dozens of loungers, long awnings for shade, and a small pier with stairs to the water. 

The Nashira may not be the most relaxing or luxurious all-inclusive, but rates are generally good. In this price range, Club Nena has a quieter atmosphere and good food, but rooms are small and could use an update. The Crystal Tat Beach Golf Resort & Spa is not as visually impressive as the Nashira but is a better option for families seeking something mellow. The slightly pricier Royal Dragon Hotel can be as bustling and family-friendly as the Nashira, but also more luxurious. For a mix of family fun and relaxation, the Royal Alhambra is a good pick. 

Nashira Hotel is located in a quiet area with a high concentration of large all-inclusive resorts. There is nothing within walking distance, but popular Novada shopping mall -- home to a Starbucks, several other cafes, and plenty of shops, including some international brands -- is less than a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Manavgat is the nearest local area, but there isn’t much of general interest, just a few local businesses and restaurants. Side, known for its stunning Greek ruins, lovely seaside cafes, and many shops, is also just a 10-minute drive away. Public buses to both Manavgat and Side stop right outside the property. The Manavgat Waterfalls are about 20 minutes from the Nashira, and the archaeological sites of Lyrbe and Aspendos are within a 35-minute drive of the hotel. Antalya and the airport are about an hour away.

Nashira Hotel has a total of 493 rooms, all housed in a long building overlooking the pools and the sea. Decor is contemporary, with a chocolate brown and turquoise color scheme, simple wooden furniture with clean lines, and laminate floors. Details such as tufted headboards, geometric designs carved on doors and closets, and round throw pillows add some style, but rooms are generic overall. Each unit is equipped with an electric kettle, an LED TV, a sofa bed, and air-conditioning. Minibars are stocked with water and soft drinks, and replenished daily free of charge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but can be spotty at times, especially in the evening. Rooms were fully renovated in 2011 and look mostly fresh, but guests may find some maintenance issues such as scuff marks on furniture and walls, loose knobs on closet doors, and malfunctioning TVs. Housekeeping changes sheets and towels every few days, but most of the times the daily cleaning service is just superficial. 

All rooms have balconies furnished with two chairs and a table, and ground-floor units have spacious terraces with rope hammocks. About half of the 493 rooms have sea views; the rest overlook either the gardens or the wooded area behind the property. Duplex Family Rooms have an en-suite master bedroom on the top floor, and a living room with a sofa bed and a bathroom on the lower level. Suites have two bedrooms and a separate living room.

Bathrooms are average for a hotel in this price point, with beige tiling throughout, shower/tub combos or nice walk-in showers with rain showerheads, and a few basic toiletries, some in large wall-mounted containers.

Covering a total area of 6,000 square meters (over 64,000 square feet) the hotel’s pools are a definite highlight. There are 10 pools for families and eight shallower ones for children, all interconnected via small canals lined with plants and flowers. Housed in a spacious thatched pavilion in the middle of the property, the 24-hour pool bar serves a few snacks and an array of drinks. Additionally, there are two large water parks flanking the main pool area, complete with 27 slides for all ages. The atmosphere around the pools is loud and busy, with daily activities, pool games, and competitions. 

Those seeking a quieter spot can snooze on the hotel’s long, sandy beach, which features several rows of loungers under awnings, and a small pier with stairs to the water (but no seating or bar). A snack bar with picnic tables serves small bites and drinks under a thatched roof adjacent to the sand, but there is no waiter service at the beach. Water sports are available from a third party for a fee.

The spa is small but offers a wide array of treatments, including hot stone, Asian, and deep-tissue massages. All guests get free access to a hammam, a sauna, a whirlpool, and a steam bath, and treatments can also be booked in lovely thatched open huts set in the gardens. An independently run salon offers hair and nail services for a fee. The indoor pool is located adjacent to the spa, and features a kiddy section and large windows overlooking one of the water parks. A small fitness center offers a small array of cardio and strength-training machines. 

The kids’ club has indoor and outdoor spaces, a playground in a shaded area, and daily activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and dancing. Teens and adults can take part in the many daily activities offered, including ping-pong, bocce, water gym, yoga, and darts. There is also an arcade with bowling and pool tables for a fee.

The hotel has one large ballroom wth audiovisual equipment that can be rented for private events or corporate meetings. 

The main buffet restaurant is open for all three main meals, and offers a varied spread with ready-to-order food, vegetables, and different types of meat. There is indoor and outdoor seating, but it can be difficult to find a table at dinnertime during peak season. Long lines form in front of show cooking stations, and although there is an area in the dining room with child-size furniture and a few games, kids run around with piles of food on plates, often unsupervised. 

The atmosphere is quieter and more relaxing at the hotel’s three a la cartes, serving Italian and Turkish cuisine, and seafood. The all-inclusive rate includes one dinner at each of them per stay, as well as unlimited meals and local drinks at the buffet restaurant and the snack bars. Imported drinks and fresh fruit juices are extra. Drinks are available 24 hours a day at the pool bar.