Tantalised in Turkey

From soothing Hamams to thrilling water rides, Alicia Buller takes an action-packed break at the '7 star' Rixos resort in Belek, Turkey.

The serenity of Antalya airport comes as a relief after the hustle and bustle of the Istanbul changeover from Dubai, where the queues are long and the AC non-existent.

But my mood elevates somewhat when I spot the Mercedes people-carrier waiting for me in the car park, accompanied by a smiling chauffeur. The cool air and the cold leather seats offer a blissful respite from the forceful Mediterranean sun.

The back of the car is loaded with all kinds of post-flight treats: wet wipes, cool water, boiled sweets and, most impressively, a platter of fresh fruit. I imagine this is how Posh Spice goes about her days, and I have to admit it's not a bad way to live. I drift off into celebrity daydreams where I bump off Angelina Jolie to take Brad Pitt's arm and waltz off down the red carpet... and about twenty minutes later - these Turkish cabbies drive like rally drivers - I'm awoken by the magnificent frontage of the Rixos Premium Hotel in Belek.

I'm whisked into reception by two lovely looking ladies dressed in Ottoman empire attire and offered champagne and Turkish sweets. Though I'm normally partial to some fizzy grape juice, today I'm so tired from my overnight, interminably bumpy Turkish Airways flight that I decline and go straight to my room. And, what a room.

It's a standard suite, but it still incorporates many nice touches - such as a huge French bed, a separate lounge area, an unimpeded view of the one kilometre private beach and a Maxi bar, which contains fifty of the hotel shop's most popular items, so there's hardly any need to leave your room, should you wish.

And because it spans an area of 400,000 square metres, it seems unfair to categorise Rixos Belek merely as a hotel, it's more fitting to call it a resort or a destination.

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