Commodore Elite Suites & Spa

Located at the end of a street lined with other resorts, the Commodore Elite's quiet vibe stands in stark contrast with its huge, loud neighbors. It is one of the few adult-only hotels in the Side area, and the only one with a minimum age of 18. There is music around the hotel's main pool, but volume is kept reasonably low, and the soft entertainment program offers just a handful of fitness classes such as yoga, Pilates, and Zumba instead of the usual pool games. At night, professional shows keep guests entertained, and although there is a nightclub on-site, most people prefer to sit outside with a drink when the weather is nice.The large atrium-style lobby is a tad generic and dated, with orange and dark brown couches placed around marble-topped coffee tables. Decor style in other areas, and especially in restaurants, is a little bit more contemporary. Exposed brick accent walls, white wooden chairs, and turquoise accents add some style throughout, while big windows opening onto spacious decks make spaces inviting and relaxing. Though simple, this style goes well with the hotel's overall quiet vibe, and its many return guests (the hotel draws the same middle-aged German couples year after year) seem to appreciate this balance between substance and style. The hotel is an excellent pick for those seeking some peace and quiet, but the Sentido Flora Garden is another adult-only option worth considering, with stylish, fresh interiors, and a great buffet. The gorgeous (and more expensive) Ali Bey Resort Side is not an adult-only property, but it features several quiet areas for guests 16 and over. For something a little cheaper and livelier, the Alba Royal Hotel has a fine-sand beach, a large pool, and daily entertainment. 

The Commodore Elite Suites & Spa is located on a small street lined with other all-inclusives in a tourist complex south of Evrenski. There is a popular shopping strip lined with clothes stores, spa parlors, and tour desks selling day trips within a three-minute walk of the hotel, but there is little local charm in the immediate vicinity. The shopping area gets busy with tourists in the evening, but is mostly quiet during the day. Side, known for its stunning historic ruins and charming seaside cafes, is just a 15-minute drive away. Other local attractions, including the Manavgat Waterfalls and Lyrbe, are within a 30-minute drive of the hotel. Antalya and the airport are about an hour away.

The hotel has 259 rooms, all housed in a single large building overlooking the main pool and the beach. Decor is simple but smart in all units, with either a combination of chocolate-brown and teal, or red with gray accents. Quality beds are topped with cylindrical pillows and matching bed runners, and many rooms are big enough to fit in a couch and a coffee table. Laminate floors, long desks, and recessed lighting are contemporary touches, while reading lights, make-up areas, and big closets make rooms comfortable and homey. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto furnished balconies, most with at least a partial sea view, and many offering unobstructed views of the Mediterranean. Each unit is equipped with an electric kettle, central air-conditioning, an LCD TV, and a laptop-size safe with a power socket. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and minibars are replenished daily free of charge with water, soda, juice, and beer.Located on the ground floor, Elite Pool Rooms offer direct access to a pool shared with other rooms, and Deluxe Suites are corner rooms with extras such as jetted tubs and PlayStation 3s (games are available for a fee). The hotel also features four Romance Suites for honeymooners, complete with four-poster beds, outdoor hot tubs, and DVD players.  Bathrooms are clean and spacious, with open floor plans that have separate cabins with frosted glass doors for the shower and the toilet. While the design is smart and adds visual space, some may find them lacking privacy, especially as toilet doors don’t go all the way to the floor. The hotel provides a wide array of toiletries and extras, including shaving, dental and sewing kits, along with shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and "Emergency Kits" complete with sanitary pads, condoms, and tampons. 

The Commodore Elite Suites & Spa has a small, private stretch of beach across a serene pedestrian promenade from the hotel. The beach is lovely and clean, with lots of loungers and umbrellas, but it can feel a little overcrowded at times due to its proximity to other family-friendly properties. Motorized and non-motorized water sports are available for an extra charge. The spa is upscale and relaxing, with a wide array of treatments and massages, and soothing decor with buddhas, stone accents, and zen-like details such as sticks and candles. All guests get free access to a lovely marble hammam, a sauna, and a steam bath, and there are private massage cabins for couples. Guests can also request treatments in the spa’s serene garden, complete with three thatched huts and loungers. The fitness center is modern and well-equipped, with plenty of cardio and strength-training machines, and large windows that can be opened. A movement studio offers yoga, Pilates, Zumba, and other classes as part of the entertainment program. Pool tables, PlayStation 3s, and computers are available free of charge at the game room. The hotel also features a small movie theater with 3D technology and surround sound system, and three meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. 

Although the spread may be smaller than at other all-inclusives, the buffets at the Commodore Elite are tasty and varied, with fish, meat, chicken, lots of fresh vegetables, Turkish specialties, and plenty of desserts. Color-coded stickers provide allergen information for each dish. Breakfast, late breakfast, and lunch are offered at Sunrise Restaurant, which features a large terrace overlooking the pool, and a fresh orange juice station at breakfast. A small lunch buffet is available at the beach snack bar as well, along with ice cream, drinks, and small bites. The Bistro is the hotel’s 24-hour poolside bar, serving snacks, and hot and cold drinks. Sunset Restaurant serves a tasty buffet spread for dinner in a large dining room with a spacious outdoor area. A show cooking area offers fresh fish and meat on the terrace. Guests can also dine once per stay at each of the two on-site a la cartes, which serve seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. There is also a charming patisserie adjacent to the quieter section of the pool, complete with coffee, tea, baked goods, and a lovely garden area. The all-inclusive package includes all food and drinks 24 hours a day, but some imported drinks are an extra fee. 

The hotel features a big two-tier pool with a bridge and tons of loungers. There is music in the largest section, but the volume is kept reasonable and the atmosphere is relaxing. The upper section has an infinity edge and is even quieter, with no music and just a few loungers. The entertainment program focuses more on fitness than on loud fun and games, with yoga, Pilates and step aerobics classes instead of pool parties and competitions. Elite Pool Rooms offer direct access to a private pool overlooking the resort, and there is a small water park on-site shared with the hotel’s neighboring family-friendly sister property. The semi-Olympic indoor pool is located by the spa, and features huge windows overlooking the gardens, radiant floor heating, and strong jets for counter-current swimming. The water is treated using ozone technology instead of chlorine.