All inclusive resorts are becoming popular with holidaymakers because they offer a full package at one price. Once you arrive at your resort, all your food and drink, and even some activities are already paid for, so you don't need to worry about spending money. Some resorts are now offering ultra all inclusive packages, taking the concept to the next level. With features from premium activities to upmarket food and drink, ultra all inclusive holidays can be a pricey option, but are they worth it?
Reporter Miranda Pell got the chance to try such a resort in Turkey, and it was a slight departure from her usual holiday type. Miranda said: "Despite going on a summer holiday almost every year since I was old enough to book one, I have never stayed at an all-inclusive resort until now. In the past, I have tended to book my vacations separately by booking flights and accommodation independently, generally opting for somewhere uncatered to have more flexibility.
"But located a 45-minute drive away from Antalya Airport is Corendon Playa Kemer - a five-star ultra-all-inclusive resort on the beach with all-you-can-drink champagne."
She was keen to give this kind of holiday a try: "When you consider the 24/7 unlimited food and drink, the array of activities to choose from, and stunning scenery, there isn't much more you could want from a holiday."
"To stay at this hotel, you would be looking at paying from €160 per night off-peak, (around £130), but in peak season, for example during August, you are looking at more like €300 per night, (around £250).", Miranda explained.
But how does ultra-all inclusive work?
Miranda said: "The ultra-all inclusive concept at Corendon Playa Kemer takes it a step further than the traditional all-inclusive holiday. What sets it apart from other hotels is that services are available all hours of the day.
"Drinks are served 24/7, and there are only three hours during the day in which food is not served. This really is handy for those awkward flight times as you won't need to worry about whether the restaurant or bar will be closed.
"Another thing that really set the hotel apart from anything I have experienced before was the exceptional Guest Relations team, who go above and beyond to ensure that their guests needs are met. Available from 8am till 8pm at the service desk, and contactable via WhatsApp, the friendly team were ready to assist with any query.
"The team could book you a cabana on Corendon Playa Kemer's private beach, arrange for a transfer to pick you up and take you to the airport or nearby town, organise water sports activity or simply answer your questions about the area and advise you on what is available both in the resort and beyond."
And if you're not a fan of lounging on sunbeds all day, there's still plenty to do according to Miranda: "Another thing that really makes Corendon Playa Kemer stand out is the vast variety of amenities. Without even leaving the hotel you can get a massage in the spa, a hair cut in the salon, shop for souvenirs, swim in the sea, play arcade games, have a round of table tennis, go to the gym, have a photoshoot... and more!
"Regardless of whether you are on a romantic break with your partner or taking your family of four on holiday, there are plenty of activities at Corendon Playa Kemer to keep everyone happy."
But what about the food and drink? After all, that can make or break an all inclusive holiday. It's safe to say Miranda was spoiled for choice: "At Corendon Playa Kemer you can be served food and drink almost every hour of the day. Despite arriving at the resort at 11pm at night, we were shown to our room and directed down to the food court which is open 21 hours a day, seven days a week - just closing for three hours during the night.
"You can scan a QR code on the table to bring up a menu, and order with the attentive waiters in the restaurant.
"The main restaurant is an open buffet where you can help yourself to breakfast, lunch and dinner with a huge variety of foods including traditional Mediterranean food including couscous salads as well as more classic British food such as chips and onion rings."
She continued: "And the highlight of the food during our stay at Corendon Playa Kemer was the Bona Fides Restaurant, which is subject to an additional fee. The A'la Carte restaurant works on a set-menu basis with the starter, appetiser, and palate cleansers all pre-picked, then you pick your main and dessert.
"I was slightly concerned because I choose to eat a vegan diet - and none of the courses were labelled as such. In general I found finding food at the resort fairly tricky, particularly in the buffet and the food court as items weren't labelled as clearly as you'd like.
"Non-vegan options were aplenty, ranging from traditional Turkish dishes such as tagines and curries, through to more traditional British cuisine for that homey feeling such as chips and beans.
"Despite not having vegan options on the A'la Carte menu, our helpful waiter went to the kitchen and spoke to the chefs and managed to rustle up an incredible three-course meal for me which included a stunning and flavoursome quinoa salad, an adapted risotto, and a flavourful vegetable tagine.
"My non-vegan partner had a delicious-looking meal consisting of creamy risotto, duck breast, and a cooling affogato dessert.
"The food, paired with stunningly dry white wine was absolute perfection, along with the incredibly friendly and helpful waiter."
She also found plenty of drink options, including all-you-can-drink champagne, which isn't usually found at an all inclusive: "You can drink every hour of the day at Corendon Playa Kemer. There are multiple bars throughout the resort including the Lobby Bar which remains open all the time, a pool-side bar, plus a bar in each restaurant. You can order pretty much any drink you desire, although be aware that some carry a surcharge.
"They have a pretty clear system, however, with all the "free" drinks on one shelf, and all the drinks that carry a surcharge on another. A house white, red, rose and champagne are all included in the all-inclusive package, alongside one type of every kind of spirit your heart might desire. But higher end drinks such as Hennesy, Bacardi, Jameson, Malibu will set you back a few euros.
"Soft drinks are all included for free so you can drink as much Diet Coke as you want without incurring any additional fees."
Outside of eating and drinking, Miranda found plenty to do around the hotel for all ages: "Corendon is a great option for taking kiddies away for their summer holiday as there is enough activities to keep your children entertained for weeks. Every day there is a mini club for four to 12 year olds between 10am and 5:30pm, then a Mini Disco in the evenings between 8pm and 8:30pm.
"Indoor and outdoor play areas can be found at the resort too including an aquapark with slides and a children's pool. Baby chairs, cots and children's food menus are available too, plus childcare can be arranged for an additional fee by speaking to the Guest Relations team.
"For adult-relaxing-time, you will find a fully kitted out spa on the bottom floor of Corendon Playa Kemer with a sauna, an indoor pool, a relaxation room, Turkish baths, and private massage rooms.
"Guests can access the Turkish Bath, sauna, steam room, and pool for free, but treatments are subject to a further cost, with massages ranging from €90 to €200. The full price list can be requested from the guest relations team.
"There are two outdoor pools at Corendon Playa Kemer as well as an indoor pool and the sea, so you can choose whichever body of water suits you best!"
She went on to discuss some of the hotel's many amenities: "Water sports are available to book through guest services subject to an additional fee. Available water sports includes jet skiing, parasailing, diving, plus more.
"Private cabanas on the beach can be booked at an additional price. Depending on the service you desire this can cost from €20 per hour to €180. Paying the top buck gets you a QR code that you can scan to order food and drink directly to your cabana - so you can relax watching the sea all day long.
"Corendon also owns a tennis court which is located 2km away from the resort, with a free shuttle service provided by Corendon. Access to the tennis courts are not automatically included in the all-inclusive package but can be arranged through the guest relations team. Tennis costs €20 per hour for two people and equipment hire costs an additional €10 per person.
"For those not as interested in drinking, there is plenty to keep you busy too. A compact gym is available to use by all guests for free at Corendon Playa Kemer with treadmills, a few machines and a weight rack. Another highlight was the old-school arcades room can also be found in the resort with games such as foosball, air hockey, and grab-a-prize machines."
And if you can tear yourself away from the resort, Antalya old town is located a 30 to 40 minute drive away from Corendon Playa Kemer.
Miranda said: "The old town, also known as Kaleiçi which means inside the castle, is the historical heart of Antalya. The whole old town is enclosed by ancient Roman and Ottoman-era walls. You can walk the charming maze of narrow cobblestone streets, browse the Ottoman-era houses, boutique hotels, and hidden courtyards, all nestled next to the shimmering Mediterranean.
"Here you can find Hadrian's Gate, the old harbour, and the Kisek Minare which was a Roman temple, turned Byzantine church, turned mosque. There is history and beauty around every corner in Kaleiçi.
"Much of the history of Antalya sits in the old town, but there are other ancient cities available to get to close to Corendon Playa Kemer.
"Antalya is rich in history with layers that go back thousands of years - from ancient civilizations to the Ottoman Empire."
Miranda stayed at the Corendon Playa Kemer, where a seven night stay for two adults in June will cost around £1,700. If you add two children (aged ten or under) it will cost around £2,300.
A room for two adults in May costs from £130 per night, andin peak season such as August, upwards of £250 per night.
The hotel is located at Beldibi Mahallesi, Başkomutan Atatürk Caddesi No:195/1, 07985 Kemer, Antalya, Turkey, which is 30 miles away from Antalya Airport with a taxi costing around €55 (approx. £46) and the journey taking about 45 minutes.
There are a total of 360 rooms in the hotel and room service is available 24 hours a day, subject to an additional fee.
