Leanne Kelsall and her partner check in to Ng Phaselis Bay in Kemer near Antalya – the ultra all-inclusive resort that delivers an unforgettable holiday experience.
I have fond memories of family holidays to Bodrum on Turkey’s southwest coast. So I was excited to return for the first time as an adult to visit Antalya’s newest five-star resort – Ng Phaselis Bay. Truth be told, I wish I’d come back sooner.
The mountains, the ancient landmarks, the turquoise blue waters, not forgetting the syrup-soaked baklava – there are so many reasons to fall in love with Turkey. And now there’s another thanks to Ng Phaselis Bay.
Our four-night stay was incredible and has left a lasting impression. And it’s not only perfect for couples wanting a romantic break, it’s also an excellent destination for families. Let me tell you why…
Ultra all-inclusive
Forget common or garden all-inclusive; that’s what we like to call “Old Hat” in England. The service at Ng Phaselis Bay goes way beyond that. Think fast track through the airport, tranquil private coves, Moët on tap, a pick of fine-dining restaurants, fitness classes run by celebrity trainers – and much more. All of this is included.
It’s a concept the resort calls “ultra all-inclusive,” and it’s set to become the next big trend in the industry. Over the years, I’ve experienced more than my fair share of luxury overseas travel, but everything here was of such an incredibly high standard that it took me by surprise. We were blown away throughout our stay, particularly by the fantastic staff who took care of absolutely everything.
If rest/relaxation are what you’re looking for, Ng Phaselis Bay delivers it by the bucket load. Best of all, Phaselis Bay is relatively undiscovered. In fact, we didn’t meet another British couple or family during the whole of our stay. Right now, this unique resort is a true hidden gem.
Spacious and modern rooms
Ng Phaselis Bay is massive. It has 480 spacious and modern rooms of different categories to suit your budget and needs, and If you want to splash out, there are seven four-bedroom villas, each with its own private entrances, pools and garden.
Our room was vast and well-equipped with everything we could possibly need. A bottle of wine and traditional Turkish pastries were a lovely surprise when we arrived. Many rooms offer fantastic balcony views of the sparkling Mediterranean waters and stunning mountains, which provides a real sense of being surrounded by nature. And with the hotel only opening in April 2021, as you would expect, everything is shiny and new.
Beaches, bays and pools
The pools were a dream to swim in. They’re heated to just the right temperature and designed to blend seamlessly with nature. The best way to describe them is like swimming in a lazy river, surrounded by lush greenery.
There are a handful of pools, including an adults-only pool and plenty of places for children to splash around safely. There’s even an on-site aquapark large enough to while away an afternoon in. My favourite part of being by the pool was the rollerblading bar staff who skated around taking the guests’ orders for drinks.
Finally, you’re only ever a few footsteps away from the resort’s long sandy beach and its two secluded coves offering total tranquillity.
The Aliva spa
Inside the large Aliva spa are a decent-sized warm pool, a Turkish bath, a sauna and steam room, a juice bar and relaxation spaces. It’s where I enjoyed one of the best massages I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something, considering that I have had more than a few! It was so good that I booked myself in for a second a couple of days later.
There’s also a gym that resembles the luxury studio you’d find in London, with the latest cutting-edge gym equipment and plenty of it. If I have one slight criticism, it’s that children of any age are allowed in the spa, which is great for families, but less so for couples who want to retreat to the spa for some quiet time.
It’s worth noting that if you book a treatment, you’re able to use separate spa facilities, including a sauna and steam room.
Things to do
You’ll never be stuck for something to do around Ng Phaselis Bay. Besides the many pools, watersports, beach workouts, tennis courts and entertainment for kids, the resort houses a shopping mall with designer clothing and jewellery shops and a beauty salon. There’s even a doctor’s office, although hopefully, you won’t need to pay it a visit.
There are loads of free activities happening during the week, like cocktail making, dance lessons, cookery classes and even live music performances.
A blissful afternoon spent in a Cabana was a real highlight of our stay. You can book them ahead of time through reception. We enjoyed VIP service with fruit platters, hot snacks, bubbly and anything else we wanted for the whole afternoon. The Cabanas are in a private and peaceful part of the resort with undisturbed views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Food and drink
Turkey serves up some of the best cuisines you can eat, and Ng Phaselis Bay does not disappoint. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, including six fine-dining eateries, a patisserie and coffee bar serving incredible baklavas, a laid-back beach bar, an extravagant buffet-style restaurant and a posh burger bar.
A couple of restaurants cost a little extra, but for the most part, it’s all included. There are also a whopping 12 bars where you can “wet your whistle”.
Our favourite places to dine were Turkish restaurant Phrygia which serves amazing Ottoman-inspired salads, kebabs and pastries, and Chef’s Steak, dishing up mouthwatering meat.
We had nothing but five-star service from the friendly waiting staff in all the places we ate and especially at Phrygia and Chef’s Steak.
Travelling to and from the resort
The resort is just four hours by plane from the UK and an hour’s transfer from Antalya Airport. Like many of the room packages, ours included VIP transportation to and from the airport. We were picked up in a glamorous Mercedes-Benz people carrier with plush leather seats, large screen TV and ice-cold beers and soft drinks.
The VIP experience continued as we arrived at Ng Phaselis Bay and were greeted by the hotel’s friendly team and two glasses of bubbly. Check-in only took a few minutes before we were shown to our room.
We were treated to the Meet and Assisted service on the way back. That meant we were fast-tracked through the airport, with a separate bag and security check, followed by access to the CIP lounge. I’ve never moved so quickly through an airport. It was completely stress-free and a great end to our stay at Ng Phaselis Bay.
Ng Phaselis Bay – Where and How?
Ng Phaselis Bay is located in Kemer near Antalya, on the Turkish Riviera. To find out more or to book a stay, go to: www.ngphaselisbay.com.
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