Murray's summary:

A golfing theme-park: luxury hotels with all your food and drink included, great courses concentrated in a small area.

Serves its purpose very well but lacks any feel of real Turkey.

Birdies:

•  Density of high quality golf courses

•  Luxury, all-inclusive hotels

•  Easy to organise trips

Bogeys:

•  A taste and feel of real Turkey

•  Out of hotel entertainments

•  Independent restaurants, cafes and bars

Belek was once a tiny seaside town surrounded by dense forest.  It has now been transformed into something akin to a golf-holiday-factory where dozens of palatial five-star hotels sit side-by-side along the beach with a row of fourteen golf courses in the woods directly behind them.  The whole area is not more than ten miles long and two miles deep.  Beyond the woods is flat, barren land where property developers are busy trying to cash in on the recent influx of tourists.

The hotels and golf courses are of a very high standard, everything is geared up for golf and holidays here are very easy to organise.  All the hotels offer "all-inclusive" stays, which means that inside the hotel walls all your food and drink is included: so just help yourself!  N.B. Certain vintage spirits and wines are excluded, so make sure you check before ordering that 1963 Petrus... 
Outside these luxury hotels there is really very little to see or do around Belek, although trips to Antalya and Aspendos (see below) will expose you to a little Turkish culture.

When to go

During February to May and late September to November you will enjoy the best weather, warm and dry.
The Summer months are very hot and very humid (ok if you are lying on the beach but uncomfortable for golf).  December and January are never really that cold, however you could be unlucky with a week of rain.

Belek

The town of Belek is not a pretty sight; just a few rows of hastily erected concrete flats above gaudy souvenir shops and the odd supermarket and pharmacy for essentials.  There is a restaurant or two, but nothing to get over excited about.  If you do venture in don't miss the town's centrepiece: a mock ruined aquaduct and waterfall: quite a sight (especially at night when it's illuminated).

Antalya

Antalya is a real Turkish town and has a long history as a Mediterranean trading post and centre of Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman civilisations dating back to the 1st Century BC when it was the centre of Pamphylia.  The city has grown somewhat since (predominantly unsightly concrete tower blocks), but there is plenty of evidence of its past around the old marina with its restaurants and flotilla of small boats offering various aquatic excursions.  Behind the harbour the narrow streets climb the hill, here you all sorts of local Turkish produce is on offer and the shopkeepers will attempt to entice you in. At the top of the hill you are in the centre of modern day Antalya beside one of Antalya's main landmarks the old bell tower and mosque.

Just an hour from Belek, Antalya is well worth a day's strolling for a glimpse of the real Turkey, and a spot of bargain hunting amongst the market stalls.  Not to mention the fabulous lunch overlooking the harbour.

You could always base yourself in Antalya, however it would be about an hour to the golf courses each way.  Maybe a better idea would be to add a couple of nights at one end of your golf trip.

Sightseeing

There are numerous archeological sites in southern Turkey, one of the finest is nearby at Aspendos.  An ancient Pergammon civilization that was later inhabited and further developed by the Romans.  It is only twenty minutes from Belek and well worth a half-day visit to see the superbly preserved 15,000 seater amphitheatre and the remains of its town and crumbling aquaduct spanning the valley.
Other day trips are available, such as the old town of Perge, on the way to the airport.

National

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Murray's word:

Can a 15 year old course be a classic?  If so, this is it.  The oldest course in Belek and one that has tradition written across its fairways.  Established forest has been delicately carved by Messrs. Feherty and Jones into a little piece of golf heaven.  Not easy by any means (as you'll realise gazing across the still waters of the Second to the distant island Green) but the sort of course where you will enjoy the test put to you by the designers - even if you do fail a few of their trickier questions!

Carya

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Murray's Word

Peter Thompson has managed to conjure up something a little different at Carya and a little bit special.  Ragged white sand bunkers hit you right between the eyes the moment you set foot on the first Tee and continue to entertain you all the way around.  The course is billed as the first Heathland course in Turkey, due to the acreage of heather that has been planted across the sandy soil and atop the bunkers. We hope it takes in the very un-Scottish climate, however we're assured that it is a variety that grows in the local mountains; so fingers are crossed as it adds a unique look to the wonderful Carya course.  One of the best in Belek.

The Montgomerie

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Murray's Word

Colin Montgomerie's first European design and very good it is too.  Quite a spacious feel to the course as much of the original pine forest has been cleared to give a width of fairway that will be appreciated by most.  Monty's little twist however is the extensive use of "waste areas" to add shape and an extra golfing dimension to each hole.  This is a course where a little thought on the Tee can pay big dividends.  Very playable and very enjoyable.  Airport sized Clubhouse where you will be very well catered for.

Lykia Links

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Murray's Word

A huge contrast to anything else that you will find in Belek.  Lykia is a true links course that runs in and out of the dunes in full view of the Mediterranean.  Perry Dye is renowned for his fantastic designs and Lykia Links is right up there with the best of them.  Huge swirling bunkers faced with railway sleepers will be your overriding souvenir of this course.  And the ever present sea-breezes will bring most of them into play!  The course is a short journey from Belek, about 20 minutes by road (or there is a speedboat option, ask us) but worth every single minute of the journey to get here.
Luxury hotel on-site too if you would like to stay and get your fill of sea air.

Antalya - PGA Sultan

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Murray's Word

The courses at Antalya present both an interesting and testing day's golf.  The Sultan is a great course that plays predominantly through old established forest with a more open section around the Clubhouse where more than a little water comes into play.  The course is on level terrain so easily walked (aside form the Summer heat).  From the back Tees it is a stern test of anybody's golf and has been designed with Pro-tournament golf in mind (the Club is the chosen home of the Turkish PGA).  All manner of golfing tests await you here amidst the lush vegetation.

Antalya - Pasha

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Murray's Word

More compact than its big brother, the Pasha offers some light relief from the golfing trials of the exacting PGA Sultan course.   However it is not to be dismissed as a walkover, there are plenty of hazards to negotiate not least several sizeable water hazards and varying degrees of dog-legs.  A good course to start your week in Turkey and tune your golfing skills for the tougher challenges you may have chosen.

Sueno - Pines

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Murray's Word

Rippling fairways running through rustling pines are the the overwhelming features of the very enjoyable Sueno Pines and its sister course the Dunes.  Both courses will ask questions of your ability to play from sloping lies.  Holes are reasonably generous in terms of width and size of Greens, making this an honest course where if you play and think well you should come home with a decent score: the Second hole being a prime example of this with water to cross twice.

Sueno - Dunes

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Murray's Word

A similar course to the Dunes albeit it shorter and slightly hillier; hence the title Dunes although we are a little inland here.  If anything this is a slightly more testing course than the Pines, with a fair number of dog-legs and water demanding some careful club selection from the Tee; the 8th in particular needs some careful thought.  The closing hole is a bit special and will jangle anybody's nerves, finishing as it does on a island in front of the Clubhouse decking.

Gloria - Old

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Murray's Word

If you had to select one golf course that typified the region then Gloria Old would probably be the one you would choose.  Not the toughest on offer, but by no mean the easiest either.  A fine mixture of parasol pines, water and sand that will test and entertain you all the way round.  Away from the main road too so it is a peaceful place, albeit a busy one with many golfers choosing to stay at the three Gloria resorts and quite a bustle at reception when the hotel shuttle buses unload.

Gloria - New

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Murray's Word

Just a few years younger than its sibling course and has a more open feel about it as the woodland is less dense in many places.  The closing holes are very memorable as the water really comes into play.  An interesting combination of five par-fives and five par-threes that will have you using every club in the bag.  The par three in particular are very attractive with some elevated Tees providing very inviting Tee shots.
Open plan Clubhouse has an outdoor dining area reaching out over the pond - possibly a bit small, but they seem to cope!

Cornelia (Faldo)

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Murray's Word

Three loops of nine holes that are composed of some tight holes and some very tight holes.
Mr. Faldo was renowned for asking a lot of himself as a player; he now makes the same demands of anyone wishing to play his Turkish course.  The views from the Tees can be quite daunting and force you into playing safe: often there is no other option.  Single figure golfers and Professionals will enjoy the unremitting challenge of Cornelia: mere mortals may well be demoralised (and out of ammo) by the turn.  We would suggest leaving the Driver in the car and playing from the forward Tees.

Tat

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Murray's Word

You would be forgiven for thinking that the job of Hawtree and Co. here was to choose the holes rather than create them as there appears to have been very little earthwork. Tat Golf Club has a beautifully simple appeal and charm about it.  It feels like a local's club (although this is far from the case) with an unpretentious Clubhouse and honest course that runs alongside the river and down to the sea.  There are three loops of nine holes: one set of which is almost links-like, the other two run through the pine forest inland.  The 18-hole course played each day is on a continual rotation, however try to ensure that you play the seaside nine and one of the forest nines (unless you prefer otherwise!).

Kaya Eagles

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Murray's Word

A relaxing course that won't overstress your powers of golfing concentration yet will ask a few questions here and there.  The course has quite a spacious feel due to the lack of established trees on some parts of the course (young saplings have ben planted so this will gradually change).  Some large water hazards come into play but there is plenty of room to think your way around them.  Greens are generally large so you should hit them, but you may have a serious putt or two (or three?) to contend with.
Home of the Kaya Eagles Golf Club a German charity - so you may glimpse a German celebrity or two around the place.

Nobilis (Robinson)

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Murray's Word

A Dave Thomas designed course on a fairly small stretch of land so the holes are quite close together.  Some testing watery par threes, but generally narrow strips of pines separate one fairway from the next so mildly errant shots are normally recoverable.  The course is owned by the German travel giant Tui and is well frequented by their guests staying at the nearby club hotel.

Calista*****

Murray's Word

Externally the Calista is a little unusual with its space-age towers, inside it is awash with marble and gold and aimed at the very top-end of the market. For golfers the location of the hotel is highly convenient with the Sueno courses and practice facilities within walking distance.  Bedrooms are very large, shaped like slices of a cake around the towers, tapering from full length windows and balcony back to the doorway.  Well furnished there's even room for a desk, easy chair and sideboard.  Bathrooms have a marble bath and shower cubicle.  Between the ring of towers there is a large pool area and pool bar, another "laned" pool, tennis courts, outdoor theatre and music stage (with its own bar too), private beach, pier with sun-loungers and beach bar.  Lunch and dinner is either in the extensive buffet restaurant or one of the eight à-la-carte restaurants of varying themes/nationalities.  N.B. They are not all open every night and you will need to book a table in advance.  After dinner there are numerous bars spread around the hotel: pool bars, lounges, even a Jazz bar and a disco.  Other amusements include a snooker room (try Turkish if you like) a games room and two ten-pin bowling lanes.  The Calista also has a dedicated spa with a full range of treatments available - both Turkish and Western.

Rixos Premium*****

Murray's Word:

Large, vast and huge are the best words to describe the Rixos Premium resort hotel and its 750 rooms  More of a destination in its own right the Rixos hotel has just about everything (and two of most things) to keep you fully entertained during your stay in Belek: if you are looking for a resort style hotel, why not stay in the biggest?Covering the largest area of any of the resort hotels in Belek by some considerable margin, you will never be short of things to do in this marble and gold-plated seaside pleasuredome.More La Vegas than Ottoman in many ways, the Rixos even has a indoor row of shops and cafes "French Street".  Here the sun comes up and goes down, the stars come out and every now and then it rains!  By the pools you will find the open-air "Amphitheatre" where they make a song and dance about various topics on many evenings during the week.

Sueno Hotel*****

Murray's Word

With two courses on-site, a Pro-shop on the ground floor, an enormous grass range and the biggest putting Green in the Ottoman empire; the Sueno Hotel is the place to stay if you want to live, eat and sleep golf.  One of the smaller hotels in Belek (175 rooms) it has a more intimate feel and less in the way of off-course entertainment than the larger hotels in Belek.  The Sueno has a private beach a short stroll (past the Calista) away or there is a shuttle bus; there are also small indoor and outdoor pools.
Standard bedrooms face away from the golf course, are a reasonable size, with two beds and a small balcony; Superior rooms are much larger, with balconies overlooking the courses, two beds plus a split-level sitting area with a sofa-bed.  In either category the bathrooms are similarly sized and equipped.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken buffet style in the restaurant or on the terasse overlooking the courses.  The buffet is excellent and with smaller numbers to cater for even more intricate than you may find elsewhere.  You can also book into the two à-la-carte restaurants should you want a change from the buffet.
Evening entertainment is limited to a pianist in the lobby bar and several quiet corners (with fireplaces for cooler evenings) ideal for reading, playing cards or accessing the free wifi.

Dining out in Belek

The small town of Belek has no real nightlife to offer.  There are a couple of downbeat bars and restaurants, but none that we have seen or visited are worthy of a mention. If however you know different, please post a comment.

The only option therefore is to go and eat in one of the other hotels, at a cost (the Turkish restaurant at the Gloria Golf hotel is quite good).  If you are staying at one of a chain of hotels (Papillon has three, Gloria have three) then you may be able to dine at one of the other hotels free of charge during your stay.

Dining out in Antalya

Being a proper town Antalya has a good choice of restaurants, bars and cafes.  The most popular spot for tourists is the old harbour which is very pretty and lively too with small boats offering day and half-day trips around the bay or out to the caves and waterfalls along the coast.  Many of the boats offer lunch or dinner and dancing on-board so you could make a day, or night, of it.

Around the harbour there is a good selection of land based restaurants.  Of these one of the finest is the Arma which has the best view in town and arguably the best fish on the menu too.  It also has a large open-air nightclub during the Summer months.  Another excellent restaurant in the old town is the Seraser, try the Manti - Turkish dumplings of lamb and mint, delicious.

Nightlife

In Belek, all of the large hotels put on plenty of entertainment in the evenings, although this tails off a bit from November through to February.  Many hotels have outdoor theatres with shows on most evenings.  Most also have nightclubs, often on the beach.  Indeed on Summer evenings the night air echoes with a cacophony of different beats from the various sound systems in the hotel grounds.

Flights

Antalya airport has direct connections to many European destinations and more can be reached with a change of aircraft in Istanbul.  From Antalya the drive to Belek will take less than an hour as the airport is to the East of town and the road is a decent dual carriageway.

Hover on a logo to see the available routes, clicking the logo below will take you directly to the airline's website to book your flights.

Hire cars

Probably the most flexible way to get around during your visit.  Both airports offer the full range of hire-car companies: Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, Sixt et cetera, whose contact details are shown opposite (if you have not already been offered a hire-car by your airline when you booked your flights!).

Chauffeur driven cars, minibuses and coaches

Local Agencies

If you would prefer to leave the driving to somebody else then there are a number of local travel agents who will take care of all you transfer arrangements.

We have heard good things about Laura Golf.  The others mentioned are a bit of an unknown quantity, so please leave a comment if you have experience of their services.

Credit card payments is the surest way to pay and will allow you to reclaim your money should you run into any trouble with a local agent going into liquidation or failing to deliver their promised services.