Credits: Corendon Hydros Club Kemer
There’s nothing better than an all-inclusive resort, but when it’s by the Turkish Riviera, it feels like heaven. That was exactly what I thought when we left the cold London weather behind in the middle of October and headed to Turkey with Corendon Airlines for a few days with the family at Corendon Hydros Club Kemer.
In just four hours, we had swapped London's grey skies for Mediterranean sunshine. Flying with Corendon Airlines made the journey easy, and booking the Premium fare meant we could enjoy a generous 30kg baggage allowance and a meal on board, both especially welcome when travelling with children and all their essentials. Corendon Airlines flies from six UK airports, including London Stansted, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle, with seasonal routes to popular holiday destinations such as Antalya and Dalaman in Turkey and Heraklion in Crete.
With our airport transfers also arranged, we were greeted at Antalya Airport and taken straight to the hotel, making the start of our holiday completely stress-free.
Located in Kemer on Turkey’s beautiful southern coast, Corendon Hydros Club Kemer is an ultra all-inclusive resort with a 270-metre private beach, five swimming pools, a water park, and plenty of activities for adults and children. Surrounded by the sea and the Taurus Mountains, it offers the perfect setting for a few days away from everyday life.
Credits: Corendon Hydros Club Kemer
Our room was incredibly spacious, with two separate rooms, two bathrooms and two balconies overlooking the pool and beach. Having that extra space made such a difference when travelling as a family, especially with the children. But the best part was waking up to the sunrise. Watching the sky change colours over the Mediterranean from our balcony was spectacular and one of those moments that makes you appreciate being somewhere new.
The resort had pretty much everything you could imagine for a family holiday. From swimming pools and the aquapark to tennis, beach volleyball, fitness facilities and watersports, there was always something to do. There were also plenty of quieter corners to relax, whether by the beach or at the spa. For younger guests, the hotel has a kids’ club, a play area and a playground. We decided not to leave the children at the creche as they were both under four, but babysitting can be arranged for an additional fee, provided you give the team a few hours’ notice. Even so, having dedicated spaces where the children could play was a bonus. Also, every night they put on two shows: one for adults and one for the kids. It's a complete win-win.
One of our favourite experiences was trying the resort’s two beach cabanas: the Gold and the Diamond. Both come with the same benefits, including a bottle of champagne, a minibar, a safe, snacks, a fruit platter as a welcome treat, and personal service, with food and drinks served directly to you. The main difference is their location. The Gold cabana is right on the beachfront, while the Diamond cabana is located on the pier with a hammock overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. For us, the Diamond was the clear winner, especially because it has stairs leading directly into the sea, making it easy to take a dip whenever you fancy. Having our own private space above the water, with everything taken care of, made it one of the highlights of our stay and a lovely way to make a beach day feel extra special.
Credits: Corendon Hydros Club Kemer
Of course, we also made time for a little adventure. My husband tried parasailing for the first time, choosing just one of the many watersports available at the resort. From diving, jet skiing and banana boat rides to flyboarding and SEABOB experiences, there was plenty to keep adventure lovers entertained. Meanwhile, I headed to the spa to experience a traditional Turkish bath, also known as a hammam. This centuries-old bathing ritual combines warmth, cleansing and relaxation. It usually begins in a heated room, followed by a traditional kese exfoliation, using a special mitt to remove dead skin cells, and a cleansing foam wash. Our experience also included a massage, making it the perfect opportunity to unwind and enjoy some time for myself while my husband had his own adventure.
Credits: Corendon Hydros Club Kemer
Food was another highlight of our stay. With an all-inclusive holiday, you want plenty of choice, and Hydros Club Kemer certainly delivered. The main buffet restaurant, Mosaic Main Restaurant, served breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a wide selection of dishes to suit different tastes. For something a little different, there were two à la carte restaurants: Rikia Asian, serving Asian cuisine, and Velora International, offering international flavours.
Credits: Corendon Hydros Club Kemer
For those with a sweet tooth, A Sweet Escape served waffles and ice cream, while Liora Patisserie was the place to go for cakes and other sweet treats. We also loved having the Day & Night Bistro, which offers food around the clock, making it a convenient option whenever you fancy a snack or a meal outside the main restaurant hours. With so much choice throughout the day, from buffet dining to international cuisine and sweet treats, there was always something to look forward to.
Although it would have been easy to spend the entire holiday at the resort, we were also keen to explore the surrounding area. The hotel offers excursions, and we joined a full-day tour combining history, nature and incredible views. We did a tour around the Olympos Cable Car, which takes visitors towards the summit of Tahtalı Mountain. Then, we had lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant, which was a lovely way to experience more of the local food and culture and we finished our excursion at Phaselis Ancient City, an archaeological site surrounded by pine forests and beautiful bays.
Credits: Corendon Hydros Club Kemer
Our stay at Corendon Hydros Club Kemer was a lovely combination of relaxation, family time and new experiences.From the spacious room and beautiful sunrise views to the private beach cabanas, delicious food and excursions, there was something for everyone to enjoy. And when you are travelling with children, finding a place where you can have fun together while still enjoying a little time to relax is always a win.
Credits: Corendon Hydros Club Kemer
Sometimes, all you need is a few days by the sea to recharge, enjoy a change of scenery and create new family memories. And leaving the London cold behind for a little autumn sunshine certainly felt like the right decision.
