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Best family hotels in Turkey: top resorts and all-inclusive stays, according to parents
If long sandy beaches, warm turquoise waters and kid-friendly hotels sound tempting – add Turkey to your holiday destination list. Unsure where to make your base? Here are the family hotels in Turkey that Mumsnetters love.
By Jenny Elliott | Last updated Mar 8, 2024
Turkey has long been a favourite with families looking for a sun-drenched holiday without the hefty price tag of many European destinations. And it’s undoubtedly true that the Turkish Riviera offers plenty of bang for your buck - with hotels brimming with waterslides, private beaches and well-run kids’ clubs. Heck, some even have funfairs and theme parks!
The difficulty can be knowing where to stay. That’s why we’ve consulted ever-knowledgeable Mumsnetters on our holiday forums to select the best family hotels in Turkey, whatever your budget.
Best family hotels in Turkey at a glance
Best overall: Royal Wings Hotel Antalya | Book now
Best budget: UzHan Beach Hotel, Bitez | Book now
Best with a waterpark: TUI Blue Ephesus, Kusadasi, Izmir | Book now
Best all-inclusive: Xanadu Resort Hotel, Belek | Book now
Best for pools: TUI Blue Family Tropical Dalaman, Turkey | Book now
Best beach resort: Liberty Hotel Lykia, Fethiye | Book now
Best five-star: Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa | Book now
Best family resort: Ela Excellence Resort Belek | Book now
Best for teens: The Maxx Royal Belek | Book now
Royal Wings All-Inclusive Hotel Antalya
Huge on-site waterpark
Close to the beach
Lots of all-inclusive options, including traditional Turkish dining
It's a large resort not an intimate retreat!
Might feel overwhelming for some
All-inclusive but additional charges apply at some a la carte restaurants
Stroll through the palm-fringed gardens of this five-star all-inclusive hotel, and you’ll soon reach a sandy beach and deep blue Mediterranean waters. That’s if you can tear yourself away from the vast swimming pools and waterpark, featuring nine (count ‘em) waterslides.
Not that the entertainment stops there. Younger guests will love the mini funfair and kids’ club. Parents, on the other hand, may prefer the fitness classes and spa. The Royal Wings’ rooms check all the family-friendly boxes too: the modern standards include a double and single bed, whereas the family duplex suites allow everyone to spread out.
There are no long, tedious transfers as you’re less than ten miles from Antalya International Airport. This good-value hotel is also a stone’s throw from popular Lara Beach.
UzHan Beach Hotel, Bitez
A few steps from the beach
Small-scale and family-run
All rooms have a balcony or terrace
No kids' club or activities
Small outdoor pool
Simple breakfast
This family-owned hotel promises lazy, sun-kissed days by the Aegean Sea. Follow a hearty buffet breakfast by wandering the few steps to Bitez’s picture-postcard beach. The calm, clean water here is ideal for little ones – just be sure to pack beach shoes as the sand can be gravelly underfoot. Alternatively, pull up a sun lounger while the kids splash about in the good-sized pool.
The 16 spotless rooms offer unfussy comfort, and each comes with a balcony or terrace to relax on once the children have gone to bed. This tranquil base is within easy reach of the many attractions of lively Bodrum.
Read next: Europe's best family-friendly beaches
TUI Blue Ephesus, Kusadasi
FREE access to a large water park
Private beach
Brilliant kids’ clubs
Just two on-site restaurants and the main restaurant can get very busy
You may struggle to tear the kids away from the waterpark
With a prime location on Turkey’s west coast, TUI Blue Ephesus in Kusadasi offers the ideal mix of modern and traditional Turkey - cobbled streets, mosques and old-school tavernas combined with a beautiful beachfront.
There's an outdoor pool and a shallow children’s pool but the star attraction is free entry to the Aqua Fantasy Waterpark, packed full of high-speed water slides, racing lanes, corkscrews and a wave pool. Older kids will love the Viper, Screamer and X-Treme flumes while the waterpark’s lazy river provides a more sedate experience for little ones.
As well as trips to the private beach, children will love the high-quality kids’ clubs and daytime activities including watersports, family football and tennis.
Dining is a relaxed family affair. There’s an all-inclusive buffet restaurant with a range of familiar dishes in a designated children’s section. Guests also get one complimentary visit to the on-site Taverna, an a la carte restaurant serving delicious local cuisine.
Xanadu All-Inclusive Resort Hotel
Access to a private beach with loungers and a pier
Showstopper central pool (and two others on site)
Loads of activities available including paragliding, volleyball and tennis
All-inclusive but extra charges apply at some restaurants
400+ rooms so it can feel busy!
Xanadu Resort Hotel is a great all-inclusive choice for families who fancy plenty of activities but also want the chance to kick back in beautiful surroundings.
The hotel’s main pillar-framed pool is something of a showstopper. That said, kids will undoubtedly make a beeline for the aquapark. Well, at least when they’re not busy at the private beach, kids’ club, mini funfair, playground or bowling alley.
In fact, with an array of restaurants onsite, as well as a spa and access to an 18-hole golf course, you may opt to stay cocooned in your 5-star holiday bubble. If you're feeling adventurous, though, you’re on the doorstep of the coastal town of Belek and a 30-minute drive from the ancient city of Perge.
TUI Blue Family Tropical Dalaman
Gorgeous beachfront location
Huge choice of pools, including three just for kids
Kids’ clubs on offer for babies, kids and teens
Short transfer time
Child-friendly section at the buffet restaurant
Reviews suggest entertainment may be better suited to younger children
Water slides don’t operate all day
Some reviewers feel the all-inclusive alcohol is of poor quality
TUI Blue Tropical makes a popular choice for families with young children thanks to the short 20-minute airport transfer. Set on Sarigerme’s beachfront, it has a prime location with spectacular views across the bay.
Pools are the star attraction at this family-friendly resort. There are three pools just for the kids plus a sheltered baby paddling pool.
We love the large lagoon pool with water slides (and a poolside bar serving drinks and snacks). The indoor pool is perfect for a bit of shade.
There's a variety of entertainment for both children and adults. During the day, the kids’ club offers age-appropriate activities for children aged 3-11, including pool games, tennis, volleyball and football; in the evening, there’s a range of comedy, sketch nights and live music.
Five restaurants keep things interesting throughout your stay, and the main buffet restaurant has a whole section tailored specifically for children.
Liberty Hotel Lykia, Fethiye
Close to Ölüdeniz and its gorgeous lagoon
Access to a private beach
Stunning contemporary rooms in some blocks
Around 90 minutes from the airport
Some of the blocks are more modern than others
Liberty Hotel Lykia makes a family-friendly base in one of Turkey’s most beautiful spots. Close to Ölüdeniz, with its sheltered blue lagoon beach and lush national park, the hotel’s landscaped grounds contain freshwater pools and activities galore.
Kids will love the waterslides, splash park, playground and kids’ club. Parents, who want some well-earned downtime, can head to the adult-only pool or for a Turkish bath at the spa. Then, of course, there’s the 750-metre-long private beach where you can dip your toes in the aquamarine water. For mealtimes, choose between seven restaurants, including some good child-friendly options.
Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme All-Inclusive Resort & Spa
10 pools AND a waterpark!
Kids' club and a huge spa for parents
A choice of 21 restaurants and bars
Pools can get busy
The Lakehouses (great for families) are quite far from the main pools and beach
This all-inclusive, five-star resort on Turkey’s ‘Turquoise Coast’ excels at spoiling its guests. Not only are there ten pools – including a waterpark – but the expansive grounds include a gym, tennis courts and a private beach.
Children aged 4–11 can have a blast trampolining or creating artistic masterpieces in the kid’s club. Meanwhile, parents can slink off to the 6,000 square metre spa and wellness centre. Gather together for mealtimes, where the kid’s buffet should cater for even the pickiest eater.
The family rooms and villas come with pillow menus and soundproofing to make sure everyone gets a good night’s sleep.
Ela Excellence Resort Belek
Great kids' club with lots of different activities and crafts
Babysitting services available
Large family rooms
Evening entertainment can get noisy
On-site shops are pricey
With its large family rooms, this elegant all-inclusive resort is understandably popular with Mumsnetters who love the range of activities. Not only is there a children’s pool with slides for different ages, but depending on the season, children can help pick olives in the shady groves or plant flowers in the garden. Toddlers through to primary-aged kids will also adore the miniature play world – a perfect setting for little people with big imaginations.
If you fancy taking it easy, the resort’s seven restaurants and the pristine stretch of beach mean there’s no need to leave. However, you’re close to waterparks, ancient ruins and excellent golf courses should you get itchy feet.
The Maxx Royal Belek All-Inclusive Hotel
Lots of activities designed to appeal to teens (DJ classes, kayaking, laser tag)
Private beach access
Glamorous spa
Expensive
Gets busy during school holidays
This five-star resort is bound to be popular with even the hardest-to-impress teen. Days spent lounging by the seawater pool or out on the private jetty, can be broken up by a trip to the onsite waterpark. And then, of course, there are the DJing courses, laser tag games and movie nights.
The modern suites and villas provide generous space for families. The all-inclusive Italian, Turkish and seafood restaurants mean everyone will be well fed. This Belek resort isn’t an inexpensive option - but it does make a hard-to-beat base for a memorable family trip.
Read next: The best hotels and resorts with kids' clubs
Is Turkey a good family holiday destination?
The combination of glorious sunshine, beautiful beaches and ancient sights makes Turkey an understandably popular destination for families.
Some excellent resorts go above and beyond in terms of kid-friendly attractions, catering for babies through to teens. What’s more, compared to many European alternatives, Turkish hotels offer good value for money.
Read next: How to pack for a family holiday using only hand luggage
Where in Turkey is best for a family holiday?
Families will find some of Turkey’s best beaches, attractions and hotels on the Turkish Riviera, around the southwest coast. This area includes bustling Bodrum and stretches past picturesque Ölüdeniz over to the plush resorts at Antalya and Belek.
Read next: The best TUI Blue family resorts in Europe, as rated by Mumsnetters
Where is the best place for a family holiday in Turkey?
All the resort towns on the Turkish Riviera have their own distinctive charms. Arguably, Antalya and Belek have some of the best hotels for families and are well-located for the airport and day trips to archaeological sites. However, for sheer beauty, it’s hard to beat Ölüdeniz.
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Where can I get cheap flights to Turkey?
It’s a good idea to use a price comparison site, such as Skyscanner or Expedia. These websites will help you search travel agents as well as different airlines. Flights are often cheaper the further you book ahead. Of course, there are some last-minute but not usually in the school holidays. It’s also worth looking out for package holiday deals.
Read next: The best cabin-approved strollers
Do I need to hire a car?
Unless you are very keen to get off the beaten track, hiring a car in Turkey isn’t usually necessary. Your hotel should be able to organise airport transfers and the occasional day trip.
Read next: Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus foldable travel car seat review
When is the best time to go to Turkey?
With long days and warm weather, spring is a great time to visit most parts of the country. The autumn months can also be surprisingly warm with temperatures ranging from 20-30 degrees celsius. If you're seeking blazing sunshine, travelling to Turkey during the school summer holidays will deliver exactly that, but plan to book well in advance to get the best deals on flights and accommodation.
Read next: The best destinations for October half term
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet holiday forums to find out what family hotels in Turkey were being recommended.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at what family hotels in Turkey had won accolades or been featured in ‘best choice’ lists across websites, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best family hotels in Turkey at the moment.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.