The hotel is located on the beautiful shore of Kemaa (Image: Frantic00 via Getty Images)
All-inclusive resorts are popular with HolidayMakers as they offer a complete package for one price. Once you arrive at the resort, you don't have to worry about spending your money as all the food and drinks and even some activities have already been paid. Some resorts currently offer Ultra All Inclusive Packages, taking their concept to the next level. With features ranging from premium activities to fine food and drinks, Ultra All comprehensive holidays can be an expensive option, but is it worth it?
Reporter Miranda Perle had the opportunity to try a resort like this in Türkiye. It started slightly from her usual holiday type. Miranda said: “I was old enough to book so I went on a summer holiday almost every year, but I have never stayed at a comprehensive resort before.
Miranda stayed at Corendon Playakema for 3 nights (Photo: Male)
“However, a 45-minute drive from Antalya Airport is Corendon Playa Kema, a five-star ultra all-inclusive resort located on the beach with champagne you all snuck in.”
She wanted to try this kind of holiday. “When you consider the food and drinks 24/7, a set of activities to choose from, and the stunning views, you can't expect so much from your holiday.”
“We're considering paying off-peak at this hotel at 160 euros per night (about £130), but in the peak season in August, for example, we're looking at something like 300 euros per night (about £250),” explained Miranda.
But how does Ultra-All Inclusive work?
Miranda said: “The ultra-comprehensive concept of Corendon Playa Kemer takes it a step further than all traditional, comprehensive holidays. What sets it apart from other hotels is the availability of service throughout the day.
“Drinks are served 24/7 and only 3 hours during the day when no food is served. This is handy for really troublesome flight times as you don't have to worry about whether restaurants or bars will be closed.
“One other thing that really stands out from anything I've experienced before was the exceptional guest relations team going up to ensure that the guest needs were met. Available from 8am to 8pm, at the service desk and the friendly team that was contacted by WhatsApp was ready to assist with the queries.
Private Massage Rooms at Corendon Playa Kemer's Spa (Image: Erkan Tabakoglu)
“The team will book cabanas at Corendon Playa Kemer's private beach, arrange transfers and take them to the airport or nearby towns to organize their watersports activities or answer any questions about the area and advise what's available at both the resort and beyond.”
According to Miranda, if you're not a fan of a sunbed lounge all day long, there's still a lot to do. “One other thing that sets the Corendon Playa Kemer apart is the various amenities. You can swim with salon cut hair, Saubenir shopping, Zyme, Arax, Photography… and more!
“Whether you're having a romantic break with your partner or taking a family of four on the weekend, Corendon Playa Kemer has plenty of activities to keep everyone happy.”
But what about food and drinks? After all, it can make or break all inclusive holidays. It's safe to say that Miranda was spoiled for her choice. “At Khondong Playa Kema we can serve food and drinks almost every hour of the day. Despite arriving at the resort at 11pm at night, we appeared in our room and headed to the food court, which is open 21 hours a day, seven days a week.
“You can scan the QR code on the table to view the menu and order it with a careful waiter in the restaurant.
Corendon Playa Kemer's main restaurant is an open buffet. (Image: Corendon Airlines)
“The main restaurant is an open buffet where you can help with breakfast, lunch and dinner using a variety of foods, including traditional Mediterranean cuisine, including couscous salads, and classic British cuisine such as chips and onion rings.”
She continues. “And the highlight of the food during our stay at Corendon Playa Kemer was the Bona Fides restaurant, which is eligible for an extra charge. A'la Carte Restaurant features all picky starters, appetizers and palate cleansers, and choose the main and dessert.
“I was a bit worried because I chose to eat the vegan diet, and none of the courses were labelled that way. In general, it was not clearly labelled as you would like, so there was a lot of caution in the buffet and food courts, especially in the buffet and food courts.
“There were plenty of non-vegan options, ranging from traditional Turkish dishes such as tagines and curry to more traditional British dishes for a homely feel, such as chips and beans.
“Even though there was no vegan options on the A'la Carte menu, our helpful waiter went to the kitchen, spoke to the chef and managed to get a great three-course meal, including a stunning, flavorful quinoa salad, adapted risotto and flavourful vegetable tagin.
Corendon Playa Kemer's Bona Fides A'la Carte Restaurant starters and appetizers (Image: Corendon Airlines)
“My non-vegan partner had a delicious meal consisting of creamy risotto, duck breast and chilled afogato dessert.
“The food paired with amazingly dry white wine was absolute perfection with an incredibly friendly and helpful waiter.”
She also doesn't find everything inclusively, but not everything inclusively. “You can drink every day at Corendon Playa Kemer. There are multiple bars throughout the resort's bars, including the poolside bar and the bars at each restaurant.
“But they have a pretty clear system, but they have all 'free' drinks on one shelf and all of the drinks carrying extra charges on another shelf. The whites, reds, roses and champagne of your home are all in all kinds of spirits, along with all kinds of spirits that your heart desires.
“All soft drinks are included for free so you can drink the diet cola you need without paying any extra.”
Apart from eating and drinking, Miranda had a lot to do around the hotel for all ages. “Collendon is a great option to take away kids for summer holidays as there is enough activity to keep them entertained for weeks.
“Indoor and outdoor playgrounds are also resorts, including aquaparks with slides and children's pools. Baby chairs, beds and children's food menus are also available. You can also arrange additional fees by talking to the guest relations team.
“For adult rescue time, there is a fully equipped spa on the bottom floor of Korendon Playakema, featuring a sauna, indoor pool, relaxation room, Turkish bath and private massage room.
“Guests have free access to Turkish baths, saunas, steam rooms and pools, but treatments cost more and more, with massages ranging from 90 to 200 euros.
“Corendon Playa Kemer has two outdoor pools, an indoor pool and a sea.
Compact gym and ping pong table for all guests to use during their stay (Image: Corendon Airlines)
She discussed some of the hotel's many amenities. “Water Sports allows you to book guest services that are eligible for additional fees. Water sports available include jet skiing, parasailing and diving.
“You can book a private cabana on the beach at an additional price. Depending on the service you need, this can cost between 20 and 180 euros per hour. If you pay the topback you can scan and order food and drink directly to the cabana.
“Corendon also owns a tennis court 2 km from the resort and offers a free shuttle service offered by Corendon. Access to the tennis courts is not automatically included in the comprehensive package, but tennis costs 20 euros per hour for two people and costs 10 euros per person.
“There's also a lot to keep busy for those who aren't interested in drinking. The Corendon Playa Kemer, which features a treadmill, several machines and a waytrack, is now available for free for all guests. Another highlight is that the old school arcade room is also a resort, and can be found in games such as phosball, air hockeys, grab-sized machines, and more.
Corendon Playa Kemer Water Park (Image: Corendon Airlines)
If you can separate yourself from the resort, Antarya Old Town is 30-40 minutes' drive from Corendon Playa Kema.
Miranda said: “The old town, also known as Kaleisi, meaning the interior of the castle, is the historic center of Antarya. The entire old town is surrounded by walls from ancient Roman and Ottoman periods.
“Here, the gates of Hadrian, the old harbor and Roman temple, Kisek Minnea, has been transformed into a Byzantine church and turned into a mosque. In Kaleicz, there is history and beauty in every corner.
“Many of Antarya's history is in the old town, but there are other ancient cities available to access Corendon Playakema.
“Antalya is rich in history and has a layer that dates back thousands of years from ancient civilizations to the Ottoman Empire.”
undefined (Image: Corendon Airlines)
Travel Fact File
Miranda stays at Corendon Playa Kemaar, and a 7-night stay for two adults in June costs around £1,700. Adding two children (under 10) costs around £2,300.
Rooms for two adults in May start at £130 per night, and over £250 per night during peak seasons such as August.
The hotel takes around 45 minutes by taxi, 30 miles from Türkiye, Antarya, Antalya and Antalya airport.
The hotel has a total of 360 rooms, room service is available 24 hours a day and an additional fee is charged.
