Turkey holidays: Why the Antalya Area should be on your radar

Written by our expert travel team – based on a firsthand visit to the Antalya Area, Turkey.

At Tropical Sky, we believe great travel advice starts with genuine experience. That’s why we send members of our team to personally stay in the hotels we sell, eat the food, and explore the destinations we recommend – so that when we match you with a holiday, we know exactly what we’re talking about.

On this trip, a few of our team from our UK and Irish offices flew to Turkey’s Antalya Area with Sun Express, stayed at the five-star Barut Hemera resort, and spent time exploring the stunning historic town of Side. Here’s everything they found.

Getting there: shorter than you’d think

Our team flew with SunExpress, and the flight time of under 5 hours caught everyone off guard – it’s considerably shorter than many people assume when considering a Turkey holiday. The crew were friendly and the service smooth throughout. Catering is available to purchase on board, so come prepared if you like a snack on the way.

“The flight was much shorter than expected at only 4 hours 35 minutes from Dublin. SunExpress were great — everything payable onboard but staff were friendly.” – Yvonne, Sales Expert

Barut Hemera: A genuine 5* resort

Barut Hemera sits on Turkey’s stunning Turquoise Coast in the Antalya region, and it doesn’t just claim to be five-star – it earns the label. From the moment you arrive, every detail feels considered and premium: the quality of materials, the warmth of the staff, the range and standard of food.

Importantly, the resort strikes a balance that’s genuinely hard to find – it’s large enough to offer exceptional facilities, but not so sprawling that it loses its atmosphere. Our Sales Manager Steph noted that it had a ‘lovely resort feel’ compared to some of the oversized properties in the wider area.

“The hotel is all about quality – from the moment you arrive, everything feels premium and well thought through.” – Alina, Concierge

Barut Hemera at a glance:

• 5* all-inclusive hotel
• Location: Side, Antalya Region, Turkey
• Dining: 5 restaurants including buffet, Turkish, Italian, fish & seafood, and a coffee shop/patisserie
• Walk to Side: Approximately 30 minutes along a beautiful seaside promenade 
• Ideal for: Families, couples, luxury travellers, culture seekers

The Rooms: Space, Comfort, and Smart Details

Accommodation at Barut Hemera is spacious and well-appointed throughout. The Family Room drew particular praise from our team – generous enough to comfortably sleep families of five, with ample storage and wardrobe space. We loved the interconnecting room configuration, with two separate bedrooms linked by an internal door, giving families the perfect balance of togetherness and privacy. The design is warm and considered, with quality artwork, comfortable beds, and good linen.

Our Brand and Partnerships Director, Kathryn, stayed in a swim-up room and was full of enthusiasm. Each swim-up room has a private terrace with a sun lounger, and steps down into a lap pool exclusive to swim-up guests – which connects to the main adult pool. All rooms come with a stocked minibar, a beach bag to keep, and pool towels that can be exchanged at kiosk stations whenever needed.

“I stayed in a deluxe room which was really big – great for families, with super facilities in the room and throughout the hotel.” – Yvonne, Sales Expert

Dining: Seven Restaurants, Zero Compromise

Food is where Barut Hemera truly sets itself apart. The main Hemera Restaurant buffet is vast – our team described it as offering more choice than anywhere they had previously visited, with consistently high standards maintained across every service from breakfast through to dinner.

During the day, the Meltem Burger House offers a relaxed alternative: excellent fresh salads and burgers that are well worth making time for. The Hanimeli Patisserie is also a must – fresh-baked pastries, cakes, macaroons and ice cream, paired with excellent coffee.

The drinks are equally impressive. All cocktails are freshly made – no pre-mixed shortcuts – and premium spirits are included as standard. The wine is far above what you’d typically expect at an all-inclusive. Guests on the beach can order drinks directly to their sun lounger via a QR code system.

“I have never seen so much choice in my life… the food was some of the best I’ve had worldwide.” – Yvonne, Sales Expert

The Spa: World-Class Treatments

Turkey has a long and distinguished tradition of hammam and therapeutic massage culture, and that expertise is very much in evidence at Barut Hemera’s spa. Our Sales Expert Leah tried it during her stay and had an unequivocal verdict: it was, in her words, probably the best massage of her life. Guests who value a proper spa experience should absolutely make time for it.

Side Old Town: History and Culture on the Doorstep

One of the most unexpected highlights of the trip – for multiple members of our team – was the ancient town of Side itself. Just a thirty-minute walk along a beautiful seaside promenade from the hotel, Side is a genuinely special place: a Greco-Roman city with a remarkably well-preserved theatre, temple ruins, and a charming old town full of independent restaurants, jewellers, and boutiques.

The combination of sandy beaches, ancient ruins, and a lively local atmosphere gives Side a depth that most Turkish beach resorts simply don’t have. Our team described it as feeling like a small Alpine village – intimate, characterful, and full of history.

“The walk to the historic town of Side was my highlight – I didn’t realise there was so much history and culture in the area.” – Yvonne, Sales Expert

Our Verdict: Why We’re Recommending Turkey with Confidence

What struck our whole team was how significantly Turkey outperformed expectations. The hospitality is warm and authentic in a way that genuinely surprised those visiting for the first time. The food quality at Barut Hemera is exceptional by any international standard. And the combination of high-end resort facilities, a beautiful beach, and real cultural depth within walking distance is genuinely rare.

Turkey works brilliantly for families – generous room sizes, outstanding children’s facilities, and a short, easy flight from UK and Irish airports. It’s equally well suited to couples seeking a luxurious base with genuine culture and history on the doorstep.

We’re proud to feature Barut Hemera in our portfolio and would confidently recommend it to anyone seeking genuine five-star quality, outstanding food and drink, and a destination with more depth than your typical beach resort.

Perfect for…

• Families looking for a spacious, high-quality all-inclusive with great children’s facilities
• Couples wanting luxury, culture, and excellent food in one place
• First-time visitors to Turkey who want reassurance of quality
• Anyone who wants a beach holiday with genuine history and character nearby

Speak to our team today to find out more about our Turkey holidays, including Barut Hemera and the wider Antalya region.

All images taken by Alina