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It’s easy to see why The Gloria Resort, in Belek, Turkey, with its three neighbouring beachside hotels on the beautiful Emerald Coast, has been attracting tourists from around the world for 18 years.
It’s not just the sea, sand, sumptuous luxury and friendly staff which provide the draw for returning visitors, it is simply that the owners have consistently improved and built on the success they have enjoyed during that time.
The three all-inclusive resorts – Gloria Golf, Gloria Serenity and Gloria Verde – offer rooms, superior rooms, suites and villas to suit every pocket and requirement.
While the Golf, complete with its own waterpark, supervised children’s play areas, large outdoor pools, tennis courts and a 500m beach, is perfect for families, the Serenity is about luxury beyond dreams and catering for the mind, body and soul.
Surrounded by trees and gardens, they offer peace and tranquillity. Set in a pine forest, The Verde promises to return you home refreshed, with a diversity of wellness and beauty treatments at its Asklepion Spa and Thalasso, a sea water hydrotherapy pool.
Each hotel offers a huge range of spa treatments, including a must-have cleansing hammam or a rejuvenating golfer’s massage, and fully kitted out gyms with superb equipment to keep the fitness regime intact.
With the quality of food in specialist themed restaurants and the buffets, you’ll need to keep some control over the inevitable weight you will, no doubt, encounter during your break.
And for families or groups whose holiday isn’t complete without a round of golf, there are two superb 18-hole golf courses and a nine-hole Select Course, just a short courtesy bus ride away from each of the resorts.
The Old Course, which opened in 1997, has hosted two European Senior Tour events, three Turkish Amateur Championships and, in 2012, the Ladies’ World Amateur Championship.
A firm favourite with the big hitting American champion John Daly, it is a 6,519 metre, par 72, beauty and you’ll need to stay straight and true to avoid the trouble all around its pine-tree bordered fairways.
The New Course, meanwhile, has proven popular with golfers since 2005. The 6,523m, par 72, track hosted the European Seniors Tour Classic and, in 2012, the World Amateur Team Championship. Designed through parkland and around lakes, its slick greens and the snow-capped Taurus Mountains as a spectacular backdrop – it is difficult to think of many places more challenging and beautiful.
A third option is the nearby Nobilis, which provides a tough challenge, equal to that of the New Course.
Also threading through pine forests, and with seven lakes integrated into the course, there’s plenty to trip up the over-confident golfer. A par 72, it requires clever course management to find a way round without too much damage to your scorecard.
How to get there
Jeff flew with scheduled airline Monarch which operates flights to Antalya from Gatwick with fares, including taxes, starting from £69 one way or £133 return.
To book flights or for further information visit www.monarch.co.uk
While at Gatwick South you can relax before your flight in The Lounge, open 4am to 10pm daily.
For £35 per adult at the door, or £28 in advance and £18 per child, or £16 in advance, you get hot and cold food, a selection of juices, soft drinks, speciality teas and coffee, while wines, beers and spirits are also available from a tended bar.
There is also free, unlimited wifi, quality newspapers and magazines to take on board and unrivalled views of the runway in comfort.