THE sunny sea-side Rixos Downtown Antalya resort and the upbeat Rixos Elysium Suites Taksim, both located in the heart of Istanbul, combine luxurious amenities with modern living, providing an ideal travel destination for families, couples and businessmen. I recently had the privilege of visiting both properties and, on first glance; I was astounded by the splendour before me.
Rixos Downtown Antalya is located over the cliffs of the famous Konyaaltı beach overlooking the Mediterranean and Taurus (Toros) mountains. The customer service and guest relations at the resort was impeccable. I was picked up from Antalya’s airport and escorted to the resort. Upon arrival I was greeted by the friendly Rixos team, all the while followed by a lovely young lady dressed in traditional attire serving me tiny Turkish delights. The resort is located in the middle of an 800 m protected national park, which means lots of greenery, long hikes and breathtaking views.
According to the booklet I was given on arrival, the eighth floor is reserved for VIP guests so imagine my delight when I found out I’d be staying there. I was offered free spa treatments, a luxurious vehicle of my choice, room amenities such as a Bvlgari bathroom set, fine cuisine at any of the resorts restaurants, use of the other facilities. My room had a romantic country feel to it with pretty pastels and the view from my balcony was a crystal clear sea that left me breathless. I was even tempted to jump on the king-size bed which looked so fluffy I was sure it was inviting me in for a nap. ‘No time to snooze’, I thought, and proceeded for lunch, which was a compilation of Turkish grills and salads, seafood and delicious desserts. After lunch I treated myself to a massage in the spa centre, the largest in Antalya. Later in the evening I headed to the trendy Kalina Restaurant-Bar which offers guests a wide variety of tempting cuisine followed by some old Turkish medlies in Kalina’s karaoke lounge.
The next day I soaked up the sun by the pool, skipping lunch at the Tropic Restaurant. Guests looking for a quick bite can have their pick of the beach restaurant, Seyir Café which is on the park, the Panoramic Main restaurant or Kalina.
The resort also boasts state-of-the-art fitness facilities that offer all types of cardio classes. For families there is a Rixy Club for kids and a child care programme has been put in place.
If you are looking to explore a little bit of the city, you can make your way to Antalya’s picturesque old quarter, Kaleici. The old quarter features narrow winding streets, old wooden houses, cafes and tons of shopping for all you ladies out there. The shops are filled with vibrant coloured shawls, ceramics, lanterns, jewellery and more.
After enjoying a relaxing two days in Antalya I jetted off to Istanbul. My host in Istanbul was the Rixos Elysium Suites Taksim, a hotel featuring consisting of 141 suites ranging in dimension from 86 sq m to 181 sq m. The apartments were stunning and so was the city view from my panoramic windows. During my stay I was treated to a boat ride on the Bosphorus Strait followed by dinner at Reina, the hippest and trendiest restaurant- bar in Istanbul, followed by a tour to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
For dinner, the hotel’s restaurant Layali offered a taste of Lebanese cuisine while a belly dancer entertained the guests with her exotic cape dance and moves.
No trip to Istanbul is complete without a visit to the Grand Bazaar; Turkey’s largest covered market offering excellent shopping. I then rushed back to the apartment to pack all my goodies before heading to the airport, but not before trying out a Turkish Hamam (bath). It was 45 minutes of heavenly scrubbing and bathing as I rested on a slab of hot marble.
Saying goodbye to Turkey was not an easy feat as I will always cherish the luxurious experience and beautiful sights that I had seen. I will say this, Rixos, in my books, has officially raised the bar as far as tranquil and modern living goes.
By Mai Al Khatib