Turquoise Hotel

You arrive at a seafront resort in Sorgun, where the coast meets the forest and the scale is deliberately generous rather than boutique. Turquoise Hotel has 486 rooms, a private beach and enough on site to keep a non-diving day from turning into an expedition in search of lunch.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside German, Russian and Turkish. That matters when you are sorting out a room request, a late return from the shore or which restaurant is actually open that evening. With its ultra all-inclusive arrangement, several pools, a spa, bars and evening shows, the hotel suits you if convenience counts for more than a small, quiet guesthouse with one restaurant and a timetable taped to the door.

Turquoise Hotel sits directly on the coast in Sorgun, in Side, Türkiye. The private beach is reached without a road between you and the water: 200 metres of sand and pebbles, with two piers, sun loungers and parasols. Sorgun Beach is right beside the property, so you can trade the pool for the sea without arranging transport or negotiating with a taxi driver in wet sandals.

Side town centre is about 2.2 miles away, while the Side Antique City, amphitheatre and museum are roughly 2.7 miles away by road. The Temples of Apollo and Athena are around 3.1 miles away, and Titreyengol is about 2.5 miles from the hotel. Antalya Airport is roughly 40 miles away, making an airport transfer worth arranging if your luggage has acquired the usual post-flight ambition.

For two of you, the sea-view deluxe room is the straightforward choice when the outlook matters more than extra floor space. Every room has a balcony, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an electronic safe and a minibar stocked with soft drinks and water. That gives you somewhere to step out after the salt and heat, and something cold to drink without making a second trip downstairs.

If you are travelling as a family or simply prefer not to arrange your belongings around the bed, look at the Family Room, Two-Bedroom Villa or one of the Lake Houses. The villa and the larger Lake House options give you separate sleeping areas and two bathrooms, while the Lake Houses add either a balcony or terrace. The room cards below give you the exact layouts; the useful distinction here is whether you want a compact base for two or space that lets everyone unpack without conducting a daily equipment search.

Daily housekeeping, a wardrobe, linen, a private bathroom, toiletries and a hairdryer cover the practical side. There is also an electric kettle, room service around the clock and Wi-Fi access. Some rooms face the sea or pool, while the garden-view options keep the outlook inland. For a diving holiday, the sensible question is not which room sounds grandest, but whether you want a sea view for the balcony or additional room for the people sharing your post-dive recovery zone.

The ultra all-inclusive formula gives you breakfast, lunch and dinner at Kervansaray Restaurant, where Turkish and international dishes are served indoors. Breakfast comes with a complimentary glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, a small but welcome detail when you have an early start and are trying to look awake. Smart casual dress applies at the main restaurant, so keep one reasonably respectable outfit out of the suitcase rather than burying it under the rash vests.

For lunch beside the outdoor pool, La Croquetta Snack Restaurant covers the practical cravings: soup, pizza, spaghetti, stone-oven pide, lahmacun, kumpir and chicken or meat döner on alternative days. Burgers are available later in the afternoon. The selection also includes children’s dishes, which is useful if your travelling companions are younger and have strong views about pasta.

You have seven bars to choose from, including the 24-hour Lobby Lounge Bar, the poolside Sultan Bar and the Sunset Sahil Bar by the beach. La Croquetta Bar handles drinks near the snack restaurant, while Kervansaray Bar serves with lunch and dinner. For a change from the main buffet, Begonvil focuses on Italian food in a forest setting, and the evening à la carte options include Asian, Italian and steakhouse restaurants. These restaurants require reservations, are subject to availability and may carry an additional charge; dinner also brings dress requirements in some venues. The Lake House bar is reserved for Lake House guests.

The pool choice is extensive enough to support several different moods. You have a large main pool, a relax pool, an indoor pool and a water park with three slides; Lake House guests also have access to five further pools. Sun loungers and parasols are available around the pool and beach areas, so you can choose between proper idleness and the sort of idleness that involves occasionally moving into the shade.

The spa is the obvious destination when your shoulders have spent the day doing more work than the rest of you. Its facilities include a hammam and sauna, with massages and facial treatments available. The Q2 Signature Fitness Centre offers cardio equipment, treadmills, cross-trainers, weights and Pilates equipment, with access from 8am to 7pm. Yoga and Pilates are also part of the wellness offering.

If sitting still becomes excessive, you can play tennis, try archery, boccia or darts, or use the games room and table-tennis facilities. The hotel also runs evening shows and has live music, karaoke, a nightclub or DJ programme and themed dinner nights. Families have a kids’ club for children aged 4 to 12, a children’s pool, play areas and children’s activities, which can leave you free to manage your own recovery at a more adult pace.

Check-in starts at 2pm and check-out runs until noon. Early check-in and late check-out can be requested, which is worth remembering if your flight times are unhelpful or your final morning deserves more than a rushed coffee. The reception desk operates around the clock and offers private check-in and check-out, luggage storage, currency exchange and concierge service.

Antalya Airport is around 40 miles away. An airport shuttle is available through the hotel, either as a private or shared service depending on the arrangement you make with the property. Car hire is also available, and there is a minimarket, a market or gift shop and a boutique on site for the small items that somehow failed to make it into your luggage.

Wi-Fi is available, rooms have air conditioning and room service runs 24 hours. Laundry, ironing and dry-cleaning services are available, and an infirmary is on site. Children of all ages are welcome; cots are available for babies, while extra beds are not available. Pets are not permitted.