Hotel Lykia World

Lykia World is nestled in a small valley at the base of some mountains in Kibirak (Fethiye). The resort is 1.8 miles from Olu Deniz, 9 miles from Fethiye town, and 44 miles from Dalaman Airport.

The resort is open between April and October.
There is a free shuttle service to take guests between different areas of the resort - yes Lykia World is that huge it needs its own bus to get around. There are three buses which circulate every 15 minutes.
WIFI connection is only available in three areas of the resort: residence reception, village reception and village main bar.

The seemingly never-ending tree-lined driveway indicates that Lykia World is a mammoth resort. Lykia World is made up of a the 'village,' a collection of three-storey buildings nestled in lush gardens, and the 'residence,' a block of newer accommodation, separated by a stream that flows down from the mountain.

Exiting the village lobby, the first thing a guest will come across is the marketplace with a range of boutiques and facilities such as a photo shop and hairdresser. This area leads to the main swimming pool which is a hive of activity. Speaking of swimming pools, there are 19 on-site.

If you're a tennis fan then you'll surely have fun playing on one of 19 (yes 19!) tennis courts staggered on different levels of the hillside. Sporty holidaymakers will also appreciate the golf and mini golf courses, as well as the archery, rock climbing, basketball, football, beach volleyball and trampoline... There are also gyms on both sides of the resort (although there is a cost to use the gym on the residence side due to there being a personal trainer and more modern equipment). And then there are the various fitness and dance workouts. The great thing is that most sports are played down by the beach, making the most of the fantastic sea views.

The children haven't been forgotten and the facilities dedicated to their leisure are possibly some of the best we've seen, at least in the Dalaman region. The mini club features a mini cinema, heated kids' pools and various activity rooms, while the 22,000m² 'Kids' Paradise' boasts 8 pools, 20 waterslides, a kids' restaurant, kids' amphitheatre and various activities for children of all ages. With a Treasure Island Adventures theme, kids will think they've landed in 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' Similar to a mini theme park, Kids' Paradise is a network of bridges, slides, pools, fountains, secret caves and suspended walkways, making you want to be a kid again.

For quiet time, both the village and residence feature 'silent pools' for adults only. On the village side, the silent pool is an infinity pool nestled in picture-perfect gardens. It appears like an oasis far from the activity hotspots, while the residence's silent pool, known as the 'blue lagoon' is surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns and shady pine trees. There is also a heated indoor pool for rare rainy days.

Relaxation has also been taken care of at Lykia World: there are two beautifully decorated spa facilities in both the village and the residence. The highlight of the spa in the village is the alfresco massage area at the cliff's edge - with extraordinary views of the Aegean Sea. Meanwhile, those comfortable in their birthday suits might want to head for the far end of the resort, which has been set aside for nude sunbathing...

There are a whopping 875 rooms at Lykia World, the majority in the village (609) and the remainder in the residence (266). There are 6 categories of accommodation however we didn't see all of them during our visit. We can say however that there are major differences between those found in the village and those in the residence.

The set-up in the village might not be the most easy to navigate with a confusing labyrinth of stairs and walkways so don't be surprised if you feel a bit lost, even after a few days. Each block is named after an ancient Lycian town, with all rooms clean and somewhat spacious.

We were fans of the village sea view rooms (some boast Jacuzzis on the balcony); charmingly decorated, they feature marble floors with mosaic detail, and tasteful linens in cool shades of violet and cornflower blue. There is a sunken level with sofa and access to the balcony, which boasts amazing views of the Aegean Sea. The standard rooms feature the same layout and décor bar the Jacuzzi on the balcony.

Rooms on the residence side are decorated in a very different style to those in the village. Firstly, they are situated in a single building, making the residence portion of the resort very compact. There is also elevator access which means these rooms are a good option for families with babies, small children or any guests with mobility difficulties.

Rooms in the residence have a more traditional hotel look and feel but although they are newer than those in the village, they look older... All room categories in the residence are enormous though: double rooms measure 36m², deluxe suites 64m² and family rooms a very spacious 72m². Residence rooms feature simple furnishings in classic shades of maroon and oyster blue and are clean and comfortable.

Lykia World is a full board holiday resort: drinks (outside of table wine, soft drinks, water, tea/coffee, etc.) and reservation fees at the à la carte restaurants are not included. There are three 'main' buffet restaurants and six specialty restaurants (Italian, Chinese, sushi, teppanyaki, fish, Turkish etc.), plus 13 bars/cafes, including an open-air disco. All restaurants are decorated appropriately according to their theme, and most are open-air to make the most of the warm Turkish climate. The teppanyaki restaurant, with its live chef demos, is probably the most popular of all restaurants - bookings are essential! There is a reservation fee for the specialty restaurants (ranging between £7.20 and £10.80), while the teppanyaki restaurant costs approximately £31.50 per person. The Marina restaurant is one of the main restaurants, serving a large and varied buffet selection of local and international cuisine. We loved it for its relaxed and casual ambiance and uninterrupted sea views. The food was very good, especially considering the sheer amount the chefs are required to produce. Peak meal times get busy though so be prepared to queue.

The resort's highlight is its 750m long beach, with all the facilities a guest could want or need. The beach is accessed by sets of stairs placed at various intervals along the shore. At one end there's a water sports and diving facility, while at the other end is a dedicated landing spot for paragliders as the hotel boasts its own paragliding facility (extra cost). Like any good beach, there's a well-stocked bar steps away. Guests will also find plenty of sun loungers (no parasols but large pergolas with sails), as well as showers and changing cabins dotted along the beach. The beach itself, like others in the region, is covered in brown sand and pebbles rather than powder-fine white sand. That can be forgiven for the amazing views of the Aegean Sea and nearby mountains. All water sports (except diving) are included.