Ali Bey Resort Sorgun

The Ali Bey Resort Sorgun is not just another upscale all-inclusive in the Antalya Riviera. While most hotels in the area seek to wow guests with impressive, somewhat overdone design, huge dining rooms, free-flowing drinks, and massive pools, the Ali Bey has a more holistic, classier approach to luxury. Luxury here is understood as a combination of lovely grounds and architecture, high-end, personalized services for all guests, quality food, and separate areas for fun and relaxation. With 493 rooms, the Ali Bey is not small by all-inclusive standards, but the property oozes a boutiquey feel that few other large resorts have. The hotel is set on a 30-acre property dotted with mature pine trees and flowers, and its rooms are housed in 12 beautiful cream-colored buildings designed in the traditional style of luxurious 16th-century Istanbul villas overlooking the Bosphorus. Guests are checked in at small, private desks in a lovely lobby with high ceilings, large windows, gleaming marble floors, and stylish gray couches. Luggage is whisked away, and guests are taken to their room in a private golf cart, where Champagne and fruits are offered while the staff provides further information about the resort. The property’s sprawling grounds allow for a quiet feel throughout, with stone paths lined with lush gardens, and serene nooks with loungers. Large, airy verandas offer outdoor seating for meals, and instead of packing all guests into a main dining room, the buffet restaurant offers several dining areas for a quieter and more relaxing experience. Though this vibe may appear to cater more to couples than families, the hotel offers a wide array of amenities for kids, including a large water park with music and entertainment, and a cute kids’ club with daily activities, a kiddy pool, and a restaurant. A separate area offers sports and games for teens in the summer. The Ali Bey is certainly not the cheapest luxury hotel in the area, but those seeking this level of relaxation and privacy may be hard-pressed to find comparable options in this price range. Villas at the Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort offer a similar experience, but prices are much steeper. Couples may find the Gloria Serenity Resort relaxing and serene, though there are limited features for families and children. Those looking for something a little livelier may want to compare rates at neighboring Sueno Hotels Beach Side. The hotel is less intimate and not as luxurious as the Ali Bey, but it offers plenty of family-friendly activities, and prices are generally fair. 

Ali Bey Resort Sorgun is located directly adjacent to a long, sandy beach where the hotel has dozens of well spread-out loungers and big umbrellas. There is little of interest in the immediate vicinity, only other beachfront resorts and vast wooded areas. A 10-minute drive away, though, is Side, a charming little city home to gorgeous historic sites -- including a stunning Greek amphitheater, the Temple of Apollo, and an archaeological museum -- lovely seaside cafes and lounges, and plenty of shops. There are also a couple of large shopping malls within a 10- to 15-minute drive of the hotel. Antalya and the airport are about an hour away. 

The hotel has a total of 493 rooms spread over 12 beautifully designed Istanbul Yali-style buildings set in peaceful gardens. There are three different types of decor, but all are ornate and elegant, with rich fabrics in burgundy, olive green, gray, and earth tones, heavy wooden furniture, delicate ceiling moldings, and polished marble floors. Large windows let in lots of natural light in rooms located on higher floors (ground-floor units can be a little dark), and strategically placed lights make them feel cozy and warm. Each room is equipped with great amenities such as LCD TVs, electric kettles, and minibars stocked with soft drinks, water, beer, red and white wine, nuts, and chocolates. Wi-Fi is free and reliable, and touches such as pillow menus and turndown service with sweet treats are upscale touches available in every room type. All rooms have a small balcony with garden views and just about enough space for a couple of chairs and a tiny table.Bathrooms are high-end and spotless, with jetted shower/tub combos, all-natural Pure Herbs toiletries, TV speakers, and marble accents throughout. Many rooms have glass walls separating the bathroom from the sleeping quarters, but there are pull-down blinds for privacy. Two-bedroom units have a second bathroom with a walk-in shower. Hairdryers and an array of extras such as loofahs, bath salts, body lotion, shaving and sewing kits, and combs are provided in all rooms as well.

The resort is located right on a 400-meter (1,310-foot) long beautiful sandy beach. Loungers are well spread out in groups of two under large umbrellas, which allows for a more intimate, serene atmosphere. There is no waiter service on the beach, but a large, seasonal bar with outdoor seating serves fruit, snacks, hot drinks, and ice cream throughout the day. Cabanas with free minibars, cold towel service, and waiter service with free snacks and drinks are available for a daily fee. Built on 3.7 acres of land, the Ali Bey’s water park features waterslides for all ages, several kiddy pools -- including one with a sandy bottom and water features -- and an activity pool with loud music. There is also a quieter T-shaped pool by the beach, and a beautiful adult-only pool with no music set amid mature pine trees. Waiters are available around every pool for snacks and drinks.The in-house entertainment team has 40 members, who offer guests an array of daily activities, including cooking and dancing lessons, archery, bocce, water polo and other sports. In the evening the hotel hosts professional shows and international musicals, as well as weekly themed parties. The lovely Mima kids’ club keeps children busy with a slew of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, including sports, a heated kiddy pool, a movie theater, and arts and crafts. Kids are separated by age groups, and there is a seasonal teens' club as well. The kids’ club has its own restaurant, and a few beds for daytime naps are available in the section for the youngest children. The hotel features a conference center with three meeting rooms, a pre-function area, audiovisual equipment, and catering services. Free Wi-Fi is available in rooms, the lobby, and around the pools. 

The 21,500-square-foot spa is housed in a separate building complete with 11 treatment rooms, a private suite for couples, mixed and separate steam rooms for men and women, and a salon with facials and nail services. The spa offers an excellent array of treatments, including Asian, Mediterranean, Swedish, slimming, and four-hand massages. There are also several beachside pavilions for outdoor massages. All guests get free access to a hammam, a sauna, and a steam bath, but all treatments are an extra fee.

The main restaurant offers a large, quality buffet spread for all three main meals, plus a smaller selection for late breakfast and late-night snacks. Food is tasty and varied, but some guests complain that the dishes offered change little throughout the week and can become repetitive after a few days. Additionally, there are three a la cartes, including a Turkish restaurant, a seasonal snack bar by the water park, and a seasonal fish restaurant with snacks during the day. There is an extra fee for the Turkish and fish restaurants, and reservations are required at both. The 24-hour lobby bar serves a wide array of hot and cold drinks. Imported drinks are an extra fee, but ice cream and fresh orange juice at breakfast are part of the all-inclusive package. 

The hotel is home to a top-notch international-brand gym. Fitness First, housed in a separate building along with the spa, features cardio and strength-training areas, personal trainers, private lessons, outdoor areas, and group classes. It also hosts internationally recognized fitness weeks with celebrity instructors. The gym at Ali Bey is, along with the Regnum Carya’s, one of the best in the area, but it is only free for guests with an international Fitness First membership. There are four tennis courts on-site, plus free shuttle service to the hotel’s massive tennis club across the street. The tennis center is one of the largest in the world, with 53 courts -- three of them for kids -- equipment rental, weekly tournaments, certified instructors, and a sports store.