Written by Lisa and Mark Baker
Our recent long weekend at the Corendon Playa Kemer was nothing short of spectacular — the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and Turkish hospitality.
Learning that the airline and hotel were owned by the same company, providing a completely seamless travel experience gave us confidence and we were very excited to see whether this would meet our high expectations – I am pleased to confirm the company delivered on every count and we’d recommend travelling this way.
From the moment we were greeted on arrival at the airport terminal with a smooth and friendly check in and boarded our comfortable Corendon Airlines flight from Birmingham Airport, the nearest to our South Wales home, the experience felt relaxed and hassle free with friendly, attentive staff setting the tone for what would become a truly unforgettable stay.
Airport Valet parking was smooth and easy, and conveniently close to the check-in, just a short walk away.
Throughout the comfortable evening flight, the whole experience was refreshing and pleasant, from a delicious in-flight meal that was well-above expectations to a friendly and cheerful cabin crew who managed to keep everyone calm and happy despite some mild turbulence along the way – honestly, nothing was too much trouble and time passed quickly on the four hour flight – I looked up from head buried in my all-consuming i-pad jigsaw to find we were almost there!
At touchdown, the transfers were seamless, the arrivals team directed us immediately and we were quickly on route to the resort, which was about 45 minutes away, with our friendly driver giving lots of handy information along the way.
Warm Welcomes and Wonderful Rooms
Upon our evening arrival at this ultra all-inclusive resort, which included drinks, food and a huge variety of entertainment and sports facilities, we were greeted with genuine warmth and efficiency – and it has to be said, this was evident throughout our stay across the entire resort.
Every single member of staff — from reception and housekeeping to the restaurant hospitality teams and spa therapists — was helpful, kind and impressively knowledgeable. We stayed in a superior room, which was modern, spotlessly clean, and designed for relaxation, complete with a balcony overlooking the sea which made the most of the glorious Mediterranean light.
We were greeted in our room by a large bowl of fruit, a selection of nuts, chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling wine on arrival to the room, which immediately felt special, but the room was also well-equipped with thoughtful extras, like shampoo and conditioner (every other hotel seems to forget the conditioner, which for long hair like mine is a big deal and really drew my attention!) We also found lots of little pre-packaged extras in the bathroom and robes and slippers to wear during our stay, and the room was large and very comfortable.
We travelled in October, which means the resort was comfortably quiet and the temperature was pleasantly warm in the day.
We enjoyed swimming in the sea rather than in the large swimming pool complex or the on-site water park, but this was through choice – the clear, blue sea was just so inviting it had to be done!
At this time of year the evenings can be a little colder, but I was comfortable with just a cardigan over my dress. I’d definitely come to Turkey at this time of year again.
Relaxation and Entertainment in Equal Measure
This resort offers so much choice, there is more here than anywhere else we have ever stayed, in every respect. From food to activities, the resort offers so much to do that it’s impossible to be bored – and it’s also within easy reach of Antalya.
We were only here for three days so we spent our days soaking up the sun in our luxurious Gold Cabana, perfectly positioned for watching the wide range of watersports taking place just offshore — from parasailing to jet skiing.
Guests looking for more action can take part themselves, while those of us who prefer to unwind can enjoy the spectacle like we did with a cool cocktail in hand – although we did watch the parasailing and wished we’d actually given it a go, as the views they were enjoying were incredible!
The evenings were a treat too, with live entertainment ranging from club events on the pier to talented solo guitarists performing under the stars.
For a change of pace, the spa and wellness centre provided the ultimate indulgence — our Turkish bath and massage were absolutely wonderful, leaving us completely refreshed.
Needless to say, there are also world class sports facilities with tennis courts and a well-equipped gym, but as we are gym members at home and were here for such a short time, relaxation was the order of the day for us.
Culinary Highlights
Dining at Corendon Playa Kemer was another standout experience.
The resort’s food court and Zephyrantes Buffet Restaurant offered food 24 hours a day, and a number of other on-site restaurants offered an impressive variety of dishes throughout the day – there’s even a patisserie with delicious cakes and ice cream cones.
Honestly, this place is heaven for foodies, but we were rather spoiled in that the personal service at the Cabana meant we didn’t need to move far, as they gave us the Food Court Menu of freshly cooked delights and when we ordered, they brought the food to us!
There were also fridges with soft drinks dotted across the resort, so people could help themselves to unlimited cold soft drink cans or packaged ice creams whenever they wanted. There was also a bar in the foyer with a lovely outdoor seating area overlooking the stunning views.
We did head for one special meal at the Pier Seafood A’La Carte Restaurant, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting. The quality and flavours were exceptional — fresh, beautifully presented and full of flavour.
I’d like to give a special mention to the chefs who prepared a tasting menu of starters, which gave us the opportunity to sample a wide selection of seafood and vegetable dishes, all expertly prepared, as recommended by Ismail and Mustafa, as well as our delicious main courses. My favourite was the Ceviche whereas Mark loved the sea bass.
We were very full by the time it came to dessert and considered skipping it, but we were glad we didn’t – the Baklava here is truly special.
This really was a treat and every bite reminded us of the richness of Turkish cuisine and the resort’s attention to quality.
So would we eat here again? Err…. Would every day be too often?
Exploring Antalya
Although we only stayed for three nights, we made the most of every moment.
One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to the Lower Duden Waterfalls and Antalya Old Town, accompanied by our knowledgeable and friendly guide, Ihsan Böksen.
Ihsan’s insights brought the city’s fascinating history to life — from its ancient roots to its modern, vibrant culture. There’s also a taste of home in Old Antalya, with Hadrian’s Gate (the same Hadrian who built the wall between Scotland and England), with the original structure still standing and still providing a truly impressive, majestic entrance into the tiny walled streets which make their way down to the ancient harbour.
Old town is quaint and filled with history, from a once-pagan temple that is now a modern mosque, every cobbled street tells a story, although mostly the streets are now filled with little shops and traditional eateries (and the odd modern one too!)
The trip to Old Town concluded with Ihsan taking us to a wonderful Italian restaurant, overlooking the harbour. Showing typical Turkish hospitality, the kind owner cleared the table with the best view for us to sit awhile to take in the view.
Legend says that on seeing this view, ancient settlers thought old Antalya was truly Paradise. I can easily see why they thought that, judge it for yourself!
A Seamless Journey Home
All too soon, it was time to say goodbye. While we could easily have stayed longer, our pets at home were waiting.
Thankfully, the return flight was as smooth and pleasant as the journey out, with the helpful crew ensuring a stress-free end to our holiday.
Having everything — from flights to transfers to accommodation — all provided through Corendon made the entire experience truly hassle-free. And as airlines go, no matter where we are travelling, we both agreed we’d check Corendon flights before we look elsewhere, as the prices are very competitive considering the level of service and the easy travel experience.
Final Thoughts
This was our first visit to Turkey, and it’s fair to say we fell completely in love with the views, the culture, the welcoming people, and this beautiful resort. We can’t thank the Corendon team enough for giving us such a pleasant stay.
The combination of comfort, entertainment, relaxation, and exceptional service made our short stay feel like a true escape. We’ll definitely be back — next time for longer!
Find out more or book your own getaway:
👉 Corendon Playa Kemer Official Website