Antalya in early summer is a blissful place to be, the sun is high up and feels just the right amount of warm, the breeze coming from the sea brings a level of calmness to your arrival, and the breath-taking mountain Tahtalı Dağı, also known as Lycian Olympus, sets the scene of this picturesque destination.
Hotel
After a 40-minute drive to the hotel, I arrived at the five-star NG Phaselis Bay. Welcomed with a chilled glass of Moet, a platter with chocolate dipped strawberries and a friendly smile on the face of each staff member is how a visit to NG Phaselis Bay begins.
The hotel’s ‘see, feel, love’ slogan is not just a marketing campaign, it is an experience engrained within the whole resort.
The turquoise colours of the Mediterranean Sea shine through the whole lobby area, adding an extra bit of glitz to the atmosphere. The backdrop of this scenery is of, course, the Lycian Olympus. With just one glance at the earthy-tone colours of the marble floored lobby filled with natural greenery and floral glass art piece by the local artist Cahide Erel, you feel a sudden sense of serenity.
NG Phaselis Bay Hotel boasts more than just its five-star title, situated in the Kemer, region of Antalya, it has 900 metres of private beaches. The resort’s six a la carte restaurants offer an abundance of choice when it comes to flavours and cuisines from around the world as well as food trucks and snack bars scattered across the beach and garden.
The resort can sleep up to 1,200 people offering a huge variety of room types, as well as its beautifully secluded adults-only area for the ultimate private experience.
There are activities for every type of traveller from tennis courts, water sports, spin classes in the pool, or DJ nights at the beach bar. For those travelling with kids, there’s plenty for them to do at the Beluga Kid’s Club and a water park to keep them active.
If you are looking for a more private beach experience, you can also enjoy the beach cabanas at additional cost. The cabanas are situated in a secluded section of the beach and come with a fully equipped mini fridge, fruit platters, champagne on tap and, of course, a butler service.
Room
Waking up in the deluxe room is a very special experience. The glistening of the sun meeting the Mediterranean Sea peeks through the curtains in an attempt to wake up you in full Mediterranean style. A morning coffee on the balcony admiring the backdrop of the Lycian Olympus Mountain, whilst feeling the gentle breeze of the sea stroking your face, is a perfect way to wake up.
The deluxe room is a spacious double room decorated in a contemporary style, providing comfort and a serene refuge after a long day at the beach. The room can sleep up to four people (two adults and two children) offering a variety of amenities to ensure the comfort of your stay. Some of these include a Nespresso machine, pillow menu, and daily restocked mini bar. The bathroom is large, equipped with a rain shower, double vanity and an impressive number of Browns toiletries making sure that anything that you may have forgotten is available.
Food
It is no secret that Turkish cuisine is treasured worldwide, and this resort will certainly live up to all of your culinary expectations. With their six a la carte restaurants, a Cuisine Buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch, snack bars, food trucks and its very own patisserie, dining will become a special (and regular) ritual of the day for you.
All room types are offered with an ultra-all-inclusive package which includes premium alcohol and access to all restaurant, so here are the best picks.
Chef’s Steak offers more than just a place to indulge in rich, smoked, grilled meats – watch as your meat bathes in the flames in front of your eyes and learn how the perfect steak is made. Wherever you go, you are always one step away from an Italian restaurant, so indulge in Mediterranean-style cuisine with a large selection of your favourite antipasti, freshly prepared pasta dishes, and creamy risotto at Capella.
For the full Turkish culinary experience, you have to pay a visit to Phrygia, this is where you can taste all the local Anatolian delicacies prepared in intricate and traditional ways. For all your seafood cravings, Scallops will be the one to visit – the beautiful upper floor setting of the restaurant offers stunning sunset view of the Lycian Olympus.
Spa
The Aliva Spa is decorated with natural, earthy tones carrying extra levels of serenity through its corridors. Enjoy your me-time with revitalising massages, relaxing facials, a steam room, sauna, and of course, a Turkish bath.
The Aliva Spa is situated at the ground floor of the hotel, where you can find the shopping centre area in case you find yourself amiss of holiday essentials. Next door is the state-of-art gym which opens to beautiful views of the sea and mountain. And if you are feeling active there are daily workout classes by the outdoor pool area, as well as spin classes in the main pool.
To do
The Turkish Riviera and the Antalya region have a lot to offer. A visit to the Düden Waterfall is a must when visiting Antalya, the waterfall is situated in a beautiful reserve in the city, where you can spend the whole day exploring, picnicking and admiring the views.
A tour through Antalya’s Old Town is also an important part of a visit with its narrow-cobbled streets filled with seafood restaurants and bustling markets. The Old Town is where you can find the historic Hadrian’s Gate which is a triumphal arch built in the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian back in 130 AD. The Konyaalti Variant is where you can go for breath-taking panoramic views of the Taurus Mountains and the Konyaalti beach.
If you are looking for even more adventures, then take a boat trip to explore the sunken city of Simena at Kekova Island. The area is great for snorkelling but do bring your own snorkel as, due to existing Covid restrictions, the companies cannot provide you with one.
After that you can discover the treasure of Turkish history on a cultural trip to Demre in the ancient Greek city of Myra where you can admire the still preserved stone houses carved within the cliffs. Last but not least is a stop to visit the museum of St. Nicholas commonly known as Santa Claus. The church-museum dates to 11th century and it is believed to have been the burial place of the saint.
In a nutshell
NG Phaselis Bay offers a truly amazing experience. The warm hospitality, the abundance of food (quite literally the biggest breakfast buffet I have ever seen), the tranquil and secluded beaches, the profusion of activities, and the breath-taking views of the Lycian Mountain, all combine into a blissful holiday escape. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway to switch off from the world, or a place for the whole family, there really is something for everyone at NG Phaselis Bay.
Factbox
Getting there: There are daily direct flights to Antalya but the recommended airline for this trip would be Turkish Airlines. The airport is situated about a 40-minute drive from the hotel, and they can organise luxury transfers for those who are not planning on hiring a car.
The prices start from £296 per night on ultra all-inclusive basis.
Address: Cumhuriyet Mah. Sakıp Sabancı Cad. 160. Sk. No: 31, Göynük, Kemer 07980 Türkiye
Phone: +90 242 824 07 07
Website: ngphaselisbay.com/en
Instagram: @ngphaselisbay
Hotel images courtesy of Mono Production
