Travel Expert Chelsea Dickenson stayed at the 5* AKKA Antedon in Antalya (Image: undefined)
Travelling during the colder months can slash your holiday costs dramatically, though it’s not without its compromises.
Chelsea Dickenson, the renowned Holiday Expert, recently put a luxury Turkish resort under scrutiny, securing seven nights at the 5* AKKA Antedon in Antalya through TravelSupermarket for just £489 per person in January – a stark contrast to the £1,729 per person price tag in August, delivering a remarkable 72% discount.
“I wanted to see what you’re actually getting for that huge saving,” explained Chelsea, who regularly appears as the travel expert on ITV’s This Morning. “January holidays can be incredibly cheap, but I think a lot of people worry about what they’re giving up. So I spent a week testing everything from the pools to the entertainment to see if it’s genuinely worth booking.”
Her verdict is as follows:
Chelsea did find some problems with the hotel (Image: Apple Photos Clean Up)
The primary outdoor swimming pool was shut and unavailable, which Chelsea observes “did look a little grubby and would make me think twice about booking a pool-view room in winter.”
Nevertheless, a second sizeable outdoor pool stayed operational alongside the children’s pool, with both maintained at a pleasant heated temperature. Additionally, guests could access a heated indoor pool within the spa area.
The aquapark operated daily from 10am until 4pm. “I’ve stayed at even fancier five-star hotels in Antalya that close their aquaparks over winter, so this was really good to see,” she remarked.
Sun loungers were arranged on the decking in front of the beach, though the beach itself appeared quite different without its usual parasols and cabanas. “On sunnier days, people did move loungers down to the sea, but there was no beach service and no option to book cabanas,” Chelsea detailed.
The sea was a bit nippy but not icy, with some daring guests still taking a dip. However, the water sports centre remained closed.
Travel Expert Chelsea Dickenson Tests 5* All-Inclusive in January – She Saved 72% But Was It Worth It? Chelsea Dickenson to a chilly Turkish resort in January to see if saving 72% on a 5-star all-inclusive is worth it.Turns out the disco was still open (and serving Negronis), the aquapark was running, and temperatures hit 19°C. But there were also closed pools, no beach cabanas, and just one restaurant open out of six.Chelsea’s tested the lot and given her honest verdict on whether these massive off-peak savings to destinations without guaranteed pool weather are genuinely worth it – or if you’re better off just waiting for summer like a sensible person.PR SUPPLIED: (Image: undefined)
The gym was accessible daily from 9am to 8pm. The spa also maintained regular hours, boasting a stunning indoor pool, jacuzzi, shallow pool and loungers, along with saunas, a hammam, steam room and relaxation area.
“This was one of my favourite areas of the hotel,” Chelsea admitted. “It had been newly refurbished and felt really luxurious. That said, on colder or rainy days, the indoor pool did get busier with children, though when the sun came out it quietened down again.”
The children’s club ran daily from 10am-12:30pm and 2pm-5:30pm. “It was honestly one of the most aesthetically pleasing kids’ clubs I’ve ever seen,” Chelsea remarked.
Additionally, there was an excellent outdoor play area and a separate buffet for the little ones.
The primary buffet restaurant is open all year round, offering a diverse menu that includes meat, fish, salads, vegetarian dishes, pizzas, breads, soups and desserts. Chelsea noted: “This felt similar to what you’d expect in summer, although some counters weren’t in use and the themed nights weren’t very obvious,” but she added, “That said, the food was generally well-cooked and tasty.”
The patisserie provided cakes and ice cream daily from 11am to 4pm, while a small snack bar by the pool served items such as chips and burgers between 10am and 6pm. Chelsea commented: “The choice was limited, but it was handy if you didn’t want to head back inside for lunch,”.
The most significant change was seen in the à la carte restaurants. While the hotel boasts six during peak season, only the Pasha Restaurant remains open in winter – and that too, only if more than eight people make an advance booking.
As for the weather, temperatures fluctuated between 12 and 19°C, with some days being sunnier than others and occasional rainfall. Chelsea observed: “It wasn’t sunbathing weather, but it was comfortable enough to sit outside, walk around the resort and enjoy being outdoors,” adding, “It also felt far nicer than the winter weather back home. You do need a bit of luck with the weather, but even on cooler days it still felt like a proper break from the UK.”
The rooms were very nice (Image: undefined)
The hotel operates a winter programme of activities including fishing, hiking and cocktail making, with certain activities requiring advance booking. “In the summer, you can expect activities like water aerobics, beach volleyball and pool parties,” Chelsea explains.
“I was really happy to see that the hotel also runs a winter activity schedule.”
The outdoor entertainment space wasn’t operational, but live music filled the main lobby bar each evening. The hotel’s Disco Bar opened its doors nightly.
“This genuinely surprised me for January,” said Chelsea. “James even managed to get a Negroni from the bar, so it definitely didn’t feel like an afterthought.”
Chelsea thought the food was delicious (Image: undefined)
The hotel appeared reasonably busy during the initial few days, mainly because Russian Christmas holidays occur later than UK Christmas. Following that, it became considerably quieter.
“January can still feel lively, but you’re more likely to get a slower-paced, quieter stay,” said Chelsea.
“It was absolutely cheaper for good reason,” Chelsea concludes. “Not everything is open, you’re dealing with cooler temperatures, and you’re more reliant on the weather. But if you’re happy to trade guaranteed heat for huge savings, and you want to stay somewhere fancier than you’d normally afford, this type of off-peak holiday makes a lot of sense.”
The hotel has been contacted for comment.