Hillside is not your typical beach resort - at first glance it is, but look closer and you'll find excellent standards everywhere; from accommodation and facilities, to food and drink and service in general. It is also quite compact, main facilities are easily accessible at the centre of the resort and from most areas of the resort there are lovely views of the surrounding mountains, cliffs and pine forests.
There are plenty of entertainment options at Hillside, whether you want an active holiday, or prefer to chill out at the spa or on the beach. There are four tennis courts overlooked by a well-equipped gym, plus an all-day program of various sports and fitness activities, some hosted in Studio One (dance classes etc.), others outdoors. Next to the studio, the amphitheatre features nightly entertainment from the in-house animation team. A large pool is found near the water's edge, and is where most daytime animation takes place. Other activities include arts and crafts workshops (for all ages), Turkish language lessons and post-evening entertainment beach parties. However, we were surprised that for such a large resort there was only one swimming pool (excluding the wading pools at the kids' club). Hillside compensates with three private beaches.
For the children, the kids' club facility is excellent, with spacious play areas, numerous kids' pools, waterslides and activity areas. On top of that, there are several animators and lifeguards on duty at any one time, plus a security door at the kids' club entrance. Unlike some other resorts, the kids' club is open all day; the kids are taken to lunch so that parents don't have to collect their little ones until the end of the day should they choose. The weekly jumping castle is especially popular.
For those who need to relax, there are not one but two spas on-site; the Sandaspa day spa located near the pool (with the usual amenities for classic therapies and treatments) plus the fantastic Sandaspa Nature, promoting a range of Eastern therapies. The best thing is its setting; hidden away in the forest, the spa is like a secret, beautifully decorated tree house offering the most indulgent of treatments...