Kremlin Palace

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to the Kremlin Palace in Lara, I wasn’t sure what to expect with that name. But honestly? This place surprised me in the best way possible. It’s tucked right in the Kundu area, which if you know Antalya at all, you’ll know is where they put all the big resort hotels. But here’s the thing – the Kremlin Palace actually feels different from the cookie-cutter places that line this stretch of coast.

The property itself is massive, I mean really sprawling, and they’ve gone all-out with this sort of ornate, palace-themed design that could easily tip into tacky territory but somehow doesn’t. The lobby hits you with these high ceilings and marble everywhere, and you know what? It works. Check-in was smooth when I was there in late spring – though I imagine it gets pretty hectic during peak summer months when every family in Europe descends on Lara Beach. Speaking of the beach, that’s really where this place shines. You’re literally steps from some of the best sand in the area, and the hotel’s beach setup is actually well-organized with plenty of shade options (trust me, you’ll want that Antalya sun protection). The pools are another story entirely – there are several of them, including this impressive main pool that’s perfect for those Instagram shots, but also quieter spots if you’re not into the whole poolside party scene.

What really got me though was the attention to detail in the restaurants. I mean, sure, it’s all-inclusive so you’re not expecting Michelin stars, but the variety is genuinely impressive and the quality is surprisingly solid. The main buffet can get overwhelming – they’ve got everything from Turkish classics to international dishes – but the specialty restaurants are where you want to focus your dinner plans. Just a heads up though, you’ll want to book those early, especially the steakhouse. The staff throughout the property is genuinely friendly, not that forced hospitality you sometimes get at big resorts. Parking is straightforward if you’re renting a car, which I’d recommend since you’re about 15 minutes from Antalya’s old town and there’s some amazing stuff to explore beyond the resort bubble. The rooms themselves are spacious and comfortable – nothing groundbreaking, but they’ve kept everything updated and the beds are actually really good. My only minor gripe? The WiFi can be spotty in some areas, particularly around the pool areas when it’s busy. But honestly, maybe that’s not such a bad thing when you’re trying to unwind. With an 8.2 rating, this place has earned its reputation as one of the solid choices in Lara, and after staying here, I can see why people come back year after year.