Hotel Review: Lara Barut Collection, Lara Beach, Antayla, Turkey

Date of Stay: May 2024  

Overall lotoli rating: 4/5

Introduction

lotoli recently took a trip to Turkey and had the pleasure of staying at the luxurious Lara Barut Collection, an ultra all-inclusive resort situated on the beautiful Lara Beach in Antalya. This resort offers a remarkable blend of opulence, comfort, and an array of amenities and is perfect for that family holiday. Let us share our experience with you with an extensive review of our stay.

Booking and Arrival

lotoli rating - 5/5

We booked this trip with Jet 2, which provided a seamless booking experience, with detailed information and photos on the website it helped us choose the right package and us and our 2 children. The Jet2 transfer service was punctual and efficient, ensuring a smooth journey from Antalya Airport, which only took approx. 20 mins to the hotel. On arrival, the staff welcomed us warmly with a refreshing drink. The check-in process was quick, and the staff provided a thorough introduction to the resort's amenities and services including the use of the app for daily information and booking of restaurants.

Room

lotoli rating - 4.5/5

We stayed in a Deluxe Sea View Room, which was an epitome of luxury and comfort and included amazing views of the main pool areas, the sea and the towering Turkish mountains. The room was spacious, decorated in a modern yet cozy style, with a king-sized bed for us and a comfy sofa bed for our twins. The private balcony offered breath taking views of the Mediterranean Sea, perfect for our morning espresso whilst we waited for the kids to wake.

The bathroom was equally luxurious, featuring an amazing rain shower, which we all spent ages in. Premium toiletries, and plush bathrobes were made available and topped up and/or changed daily. The room also had a flat-screen TV, not must English choice but you could Chromecast, so with the hotels great wi-fi connection we could stream Netflix etc when needed. A fully stocked mini-bar which the twins made full use of on a daily basis and loved the crisp and chocolate bars provided, the hotel also had a pillow menu that ensured personalized comfort and the room were cleaned to a high standard daily.

Dining

lotoli rating - 3/5

The dining experience at the Lara Barut Collection is of a high standard and the choice is endless, you can also find some thing to eat 24/7 but, we however found that although there was a lot to choose from nothing blew our taste buds. We also couldn't visit 2 of the a la carte restaurants because our children were under the age of 6, this was a shock to us upon arrival as wasn't made aware of this during booking and for a family hotel we found this very disappointing. All the a la carte restaurants require reservation which is done via the Lara Burat app between 9am-2pm, they do get booked up very quick and we found that to get a reservation we needed to be ready and on the app dead on 9am to stand a chance of booking.

• Zestful Bazaar (Breakfast & main buffet)`This main buffet restaurant offers a vast selection of international and Turkish dishes. The breakfast spread was particularly extensive, with fresh pastries, fruits, hot dishes, and live cooking stations for omelettes, fried eggs and pancakes etc. Lunch and dinner options included an array of Mediterranean, Asian, and local Turkish cuisine with a vast array of deserts ensuring a delightful culinary journey for everybody.

• Tirmis (a la carte) Unfortunately this is one of the 2 restaurants we couldn't visit due to the age of our children but believe it to be a healthy legume specific to Antalya offering regional and local dishes.

• Akdeniz Fine Dining (a la carte)Unfortunately the 2nd restaurant we couldn't visit, this was disappointing as it is said to be Lara Burats most popular restaurant bringing amazing flavours in Mediterranean cuisine.

• Kumda Kirpi (a la carte)A great setting for a delicious meal, you are set with the view and breeze of the Mediterranean whilst you cook your own meat on a prepared BBQ brought to your table, our lad loves a BBQ so this was a favourite of ours.

• Kuyu Restaurant (a la carte)For an authentic taste of Turkey, Kuyu offers traditional dishes such as lamb kebabs, various mezes (appetizers), and rich desserts like baklava. The decor and the aroma of spices created an immersive dining experience, transporting me to the heart of Turkish culinary tradition.

• Sandal Seafood Restaurant (a la carte)Located by the beach, Sandal focuses on fresh, locally sourced seafood. The menu includes grilled fish, shrimp, and calamari, all prepared with local herbs and spices to enhance their natural flavours. The serene beachside setting made dining here a truly relaxing experience. You can also go to Sandal for breakfast and lunch without booking.

• Pizzeria Di Laura (a la carte)Serving Napolitan style pizzas and exclusive flavours from Italian cuisine, could choose from prepared dishes such as carpaccio, pizza, spaghetti and more, food wasn't exceptional but was ok and great for the kids.

• Turunç Gastro Lounge (all day a la carte)A favourite of ours, and the 1st place we ate, even at 23.15 when we arrived at the hotel we was able to get a nice meal here. Offering a fusion of international and Turkish cuisine, Turunç Gastro Lounge is a modern and stylish venue and right next to the swim up lagoon bar, you could also go here for breakfast.

• Iro Sushi Bar (Sushi)A restaurant we didn't get chance to visit, to be honest I wasn't that fussed as im not the biggest fan of sushi. But Iro is one for lovers of Japanese cuisine, Iro offers a range of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes. The ingredients are apparently incredibly fresh, and the sushi rolls are expertly crafted. The minimalist design of the restaurant complements the clean and precise flavours of the food.

• Hungry GorillaA fast food and snack service open at dinnertime (lunch), serving burgers, fries, pizza, sandwiches and grab and go items such as fruit bowls, drinks, sandwiches etc, a nice change to the buffer and quick and easy. Burgers were decent.

• Kumda Kirpi Burger HouseAnother option for dinnertime (lunch), Kumda opens and also serves burgers, the burgers here are much better quality than Hungry Gorilla, the chicken burger was a favourite of main and very tasty.

• Secret Grill ( a la carte)Secret is a pay extra restaurant, we didn't get chance to visit but think it was 80 euro each person, we couldn't fit it in and thought as we couldn't get the other restaurants due to kids age we didn't try here. Believe it to be like a steak house.

• Pastieeer (coffee & cakes) This patisserie is a delightful spot for afternoon coffee or a sweet treat. It offers a range of cakes, pastries, and chocolates, all accompanied by freshly brewed coffee. The quality of the pastries was exceptional, with delicate macarons and rich chocolate cakes being personal favourites and the kids loves the ice cream.

• Bars and LoungesThe resort also features several bars and lounges, each offering a unique atmosphere. The beach bar Majo Beach club is perfect for enjoying a cocktail while watching the sunset and has a nightly party, while the pool bar Meltem serves refreshing drinks and light snacks throughout the day, with a lot of branded drinks such a bottles of corona, becks, miller etc, top shelf is good without extra charge and branded ice creams such a Magnums on tap pleased the kids. The lobby lounge Cay Room provides a more sophisticated environment, ideal for pre-dinner drinks or a nightcap and with a few bars around the complex you are never without the ability to get a drink or snack any time of the day.

Facilities and Amenities

lotoli rating - 4/5

The Lara Barut Collection offers a wide range of facilities to ensure a luxurious and comfortable stay:

• PoolsThe resort has multiple pools, including 2 large main pools, one heated and one not, a children’s pool with slides, another large pool next to the 4 large water slides lagoon pool with swim up bar, some rooms also have access to share room side pools as well. The pool areas are well-equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas, and poolside service, making it easy to relax and unwind. towels were always available and we never struggled to get a sun bed. One small criticism, the small children's pool is not heated and was very cold with stopped the kids playing some days, the hotel has gone to the expense of heating on e very large pool they could have heated the children's one.

• BeachThe private beach is clean and a nice spot with plenty of sun loungers, clear, blue waters and the sea temperature was perfect for swimming, the sand is a little pebbly which means it gets very hot under foot and can be uncomfortably to walk on. Beachside service includes drinks and snacks, allowing guests to enjoy the beach without having to leave their spot. There is also the option to hire a pavilion for the day for 100-120 euros, this included service and meals and was a nice experience, this was the kids favourite day apparently.

• Spa and Wellness Centre The spa offers a variety of treatments, including massages, facials, and body treatments. The facilities include a sauna, hammam, and a well-equipped fitness centre, Massages are a little pricey but what you expect at all inclusive resorts, we didn't visit but from passing the spa looked very nice

• Sports and ActivitiesThe resort offers a range of sports facilities, including tennis courts, a gym, and various water sports. Guests can also participate in fitness classes, yoga sessions, and organized games, ensuring there's always something to do.

Activities and Entertainment

lotoli rating - 5/5

The resort provides a variety of activities and entertainment and had daily schedule to make sure there is always some on or to do, the entertainment and shows at night were top class, if you visit make sure to go and watch them all.

• Daytime ActivitiesThese include fitness classes, water sports, and organized games led by the energetic animation team such as darts by the pool, archery and air rifle shooting, great for that half hour out of the sun and to get that competitive streak going. Whether you want to stay active or just have fun, there's always something happening around the resort.

• Evening EntertainmentThe resort hosts professional shows and live music performances every evening. From dance shows to live bands, the entertainment was varied and as mentioned above of a very high standard.

• Kids’ ClubThe dedicated kids’ club offers a range of activities to keep children entertained. With arts and crafts, games, and educational activities, the kids’ club allows parents to relax while their children are engaged and having fun, the staff make the effort to get your kids to join which is really good. You can also take your kids into the areas where any time of the day where they have a playground, trampolines and football nets etc, across the way there is also a space for teenagers, with arcade games and play stations, every age is catered for.

Service

lotoli rating - 5/5

The service at the Lara Barut Collection is outstanding. Every staff member we encountered was friendly, professional, and attentive. Special requests were handled promptly, and the staff consistently went above and beyond to ensure our stay was comfortable and enjoyable. Hotel was immaculate at all times as well.

Conclusion

Our stay at the Lara Barut Collection was an a great experience and one we would do again and high recommend. The luxurious accommodations, diverse and high-quality dining options, extensive facilities, and exceptional service make this resort a perfect choice for a holiday in Turkey.

Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with family, or on a solo adventure, this resort offers something for everyone.

Lotoli overall rating is 4.5/5 and highly recommend the Lara Barut Collection and we look forward to returning in the future.

If you have been, let us know what your thought were in the comments below.

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