Family holiday review: Hillside Beach Club, Turkey

In a nutshell: Hillside Beach Club is a home away from home, with beautiful views, high-energy activities and some once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Best for: Families looking for a luxury holiday; it's perfect for children aged from 4 years who want a premium place to stay but with the thrills of an action packed holiday. It’s a great hot spot for sun-lovers too – just make sure to pack lots of lotion!

Accommodation low-down:

Staggered on the rising landscape that surrounds the beautiful Hillside Beach Club cove, the accommodation here really goes above and beyond for its holiday goers. With a stunning open balcony that over looks the clear blue sea, chic bedroom with walk-in wardrobe, luxury shower room, air con facilities and regularly filled minibar, it’s easy to settle into the ‘leisure’ culture of this resort.

Bedrooms are spacious and pre-prepared with all the holiday luxuries that most families forget in the rush to the airport, such as European adaptors, hairdryers, shower toiletries, iPod docks you can use to charge your phone, and his and her lip balms to keep your pout moisturised in the heat. What we loved the most is that wherever you’re staying on the cove, there’s the option of a cliff lift to take you up to your room if you’re worried about the children taking the steep stairs. Cute and convenient!

The beaches:

With three gorgeous Blue Flag status beaches under their belts, its no wonder Hillside is one of the most beautiful destinations on the Mediterranean coast. The main beach is the place to be for families boasting a temperature maintained pool, delicious late hours ice-cream store, gorgeous coast line, and toilet and eating facilities just a mere two minutes walk away. The loungers are padded, attached with an umbrella for shade, and towels are given fresh to guests each morning so you don’t have to worry about drying your little ones' out for the next morning. However, if you want a spot right at the front of the coast line, it’s best to get down there for 9am.

If you fancy a bit of me-time (without the children), leave dad in charge at the main pool and head on down to the ‘Silent Beach’, located near the Sandra Nature Spa. Reserved exclusively for adults, it gives you the chance to get into a good book or have a sneaky catnap in peace and tranquillity. Plus, with a drinks bar nearby, it means you can have a yummy cocktail or mocktail alongside an unforgettable view!

But if you fancy something a bit more special, leave the children in the safe and capable hands of the carers at one of the many children’s clubs on offer, and hop on a boat to ‘Serenity Beach’. Set a distance from the club centre, this secluded bit of paradise will give you and your partner the alone time you've been craving.

Water sports:

One of the biggest selling points of this location is that it perfectly merges the cool calmness of nature with the adrenaline-fueled fun of water sports. Boasting a list of activities that would wet any mini thrill seekers appetite, parents and children can enjoy the likes of water skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, scuba diving, windsurfing and more. If you’re looking for a truly remarkable family experience, take your little one for a ride on a catamaran. Taken far out from the coast, feel the wind in your hair and seawater on your body as the boat tips from side-to-side at an impressive speed, while the whole water adventure is filmed. It’s a great keepsake to take home, but make sure you put some money aside as it costs around £50 to purchase the DVD.

Restaurants:

Food, glorious food! This destination has it in abundance and there’s so much variety that even the fussiest eater will find something he enjoys munching on. The main restaurant (located near the pool and main beach) is the place to be for breakfast and dinner.

With a variety of different starters, mains and deserts, from authentic Turkish dishes to English favourites to freshly made pizzas and the widest range of fish I’ve ever seen, this eat-as-much-as-you-like buffet will fill you up after a full-on day of holiday fun. All food is included in the overall price you pay for your stay, plus water and soft drinks, but any alcohol purchases will be charged separately. Keep an eye out for the lamb kebab – it was a firm favourite of ours, delicious!

If you’re lounging by the pool and fancy a light meal, the Beach Bar Restaurant provides a variety of not-too-heavy snacks around midday. On Mediterranean evenings it even offers Italian cuisine accompanied by a selection of locally sourced wines if you fancied something a bit different from the norm.

Mummy me-time:

Every mum deserves a bit of TLC on holiday and heading to either of the spas on resort is an absolute must. The Sanda Spa (located by the main restaurant), is free, yes that’s right FREE, for all guests to use and includes a lit-up Jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath. If you fancy something a bit more indulgent, than the Sanda Nature Spa is the place to be.

Located on the more adult orientated side of the club, the spa is hidden in the treetops in what can only be described as luxurious tree houses. Greeted with a ginger tea, you’ll be swept off to a tranquil room where massages are on offer to relieve your tensions and give your body the pampering it deserves. After your luxury treatment, you’ll then be taken to the relax area to enjoy an energizing drink and healthy food platter. The perfect way to round off your stay.

Baby services:

The Hillside baby services include

• Baby cot
• Baby bath
• Wireless intercoms
• Bottle warmers and sterilizers
• Strollers
• Fresh “Baby Buffet” at the Main Restaurant
• Feeding chairs
• Nappy changing mats in changing rooms & bathrooms

Babysitters are available upon request and are charged extra.

More info

• Hillside Beach Club

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