Michael Gannon headed to Antalya in Turkey to check out a stunning resort that is a regular stopping point on the tennis tour
My new German chum recognised the Scottish accent but my gag was lost in translation.
“Ah, you are like Andy Murray, are you here for the tennis?”
“I’m more like Chic Murray,” I replied. Perhaps understandably he’d never heard of the legendary Scottish stand-up.
I wasn’t there for the tennis either. I was at the Megasaray Club Belek for a luxurious family break.
And it was ace.
In fairness to my new friend, it was a fair question. The superb resort in Türkiye’s Antalya coast is renowned for tennis. With more than 20 top class courts, exceptional training facilities, including a SPA and wellness centre, along with a gym.
Little wonder it’s a regular staging point for World Tennis Association ranking events and a Mecca for amateur players looking to some game time in stunning weather.
There are as many racquet bags as there are beach bags around the stunning complex. There are plenty of sublime golf courses on the doorstep as well.
But we were not there to work up a sweat. We were there to relax and soak up some rays after a brutally long Scottish winter.
And this place delivered and then some.
Antalya has become a hot spot for tourists from the UK and beyond and there are a string of five star all includes right along the coast.
The Megasaray Club Belek is more of a hidden gem to British holidaymakers though as it’s been more of a haunt for travellers from the rest of Europe.
It’s time Brits got in on the secret though.
This place served up a treat.
We spent a week in late spring and it was a winner with my wife and six-yer-old daughter.
The first impressions were, well impressive, and the standards never slipped for a second.
Some of these huge resorts can feel a little overpowering but this one felt much more welcoming and relaxing, which is good going for a place with near 600 rooms and close to 1900 beds.
It was busy without every feeling overcrowded, sprawling yet intimate. We felt right at home from the first minute.
There are several pool areas with beautiful pine tree lined gardens. Each section caters for every taste. There’s the main pool, the central hub with plenty of loungers and a winding river around it.
There’s also an adults only pool for those wanting some extra peace and quiet with a couple of other ones – hugged by bars – for folk to relax next to.
But my wife’s focus was honed in on one part of the hotel in particular – the beach.
The Megasaray has it’s only private sandy section with a stunning pier as well.
And as a dedicated beach lover, it was right up her street. The soft sand and still water made it perfect for topping up tans and cooling off with a dip. The cabanas are sensational for those looking for a bit of coastal luxury, with food and drink dished out at a whim.
The pier has loungers and it’s own bar too, and it’s a stunning spot for a drink, especially later in the afternoon when the sun is starting to dip. Likewise the cool bear bar perched on the water’s edge.
If all this sounds incredibly relaxing, you’d be right.
But don’t be fooled. There’s also a thrilling waterpark for the young – and the young at heart.
My we one is a daredevil at the best of times and her eyes lift up the moment she clocked the chutes and flumes.
I barely got time to slap on the Factor 50 before she had me whisked off to give them a whirl.
She had a ball – I had a bawl. Half of Antalya must have heard my scream when we rocketed down one of the four-storey chutes like the Jamaican bobsleigh team.
It was great fun though and put to full use every single day.
The rewards for her old day came elsewhere. Like the food and drink. And this is where the Megasaray really delivers.
The dinning options were not just good, like they are in a lot of five star all inclusive resorts, they were exception.
At some places, the buffets can be dull and the a la carte options limited.
Not here.
From a breakfast with more options than my mind could cope with, to the sensational street food stack corner and the evening buffet hub, it was full marks for the lot.
It was the a la carte restaurants that were another level. We went for several options, including the Italian, the Mexican and the Chinese.
It was tough to pick a winner as every one of them was top notch.
But if pushed, the Mexican narrowly came out on top. Oh wait, the Italian. No, the Chinese…
Mind you, the shrimp fajitas in the Mexican might just edge it. There was plenty for the fussy youngster in our group as well, with terrific kids menus.
The kids club got a big thumbs up too, as did the entertainment at night which starts with mini discos before a succession of cracking shows for all the family.
It was a hard place to leave but we did venture out to check out its sister hotel, the Megasasay West Beach Antalya, on the beautiful Konyaalti Promenade on the other side of the city.
There was a different vibe there, with a hotel that could have been airlifted out of Miami, with cool design and trendy restaurants and bars.
It’s right on the beach and also close to the Antalya old town for people who fancy getting out and about to see the sights.
Back at our HQ we went from a regular room – which was anything but regular with a stunning sea view – to a swim up suite that was something really special.
The Megasaray Club Belek was a smash hit – and that’s no joke.
GET THERE
Several airlines fly direct from Scotland to Antalya, including Jet2, TUI and Sun Express
BOOK IT
Rooms at the Megasaray Club Belek are available direct with the resort, with booking.com or packages with TUI and Jet2, prices variable
MORE INFO
clubmegasaray.com
