When I was offered the chance to jet off to the luxurious Regnum The Crown hotel in Turkey to ‘live the life as Jennifer Lopez for the week’, how could I possible refuse.
From a huge sea view suite, a variety of fine dining restaurants, an aqua park, VIP helicopter transfers on-hand and not to forget a personal butler service, I knew this would be a trip of a lifetime as I got the true Hollywood experience.
Arriving at the extravagant £3K-a-night suite, there was clearly no expenses spared for JLo as I was greeted with the same A-list treatment, champagne and chocolate strawberries, she had during her pre-birthday stay.
The On The Floor hitmaker celebrated her 56th birthday at the swanky resort while enjoying some downtime during her sold-out Up All Night Live tour.
This was Jennifer’s second stay at the hotel, which is located in the coastal city of Antalya, where she was previously joined by her twin children Max and Emme, 17, who she shares with Grammy-winning musician Marc Anthony.
I was told by hotel staff that the Jenny from the Block hitmaker took full advantage of the resorts amazing facilities from enjoying the whirlpool and water park with her twins to dining in the plush restaurants.
The swanky £3K-a-night Regnum The Crown hotel in Turkey has been a firm favourite for Jennifer Lopez, with the hitmaker enjoying a second stay for her birthday earlier this year
So when I was offered the chance to jet off to the luxurious 5-star hotel to ‘live the life as Jennifer Lopez for the week’, how could I possible refuse
From a huge sea view suite, VIP helicopter transfers on-hand and not to forget a personal butler service, I knew this would be a trip of a lifetime as I got the true Hollywood experience
Fully staffed with a giant cushioned sofa, shaded loungers, and a step ladder dipping straight into the sea, guests can relax or can enjoy paddleboarding, jet skis and many water sports
So on my first day I thought why not slide straight into the trip by hitting the huge 20 slide water park, which involved zero queuing as it is private to hotel guests only.
Hoping on the private golf cart to the sister hotel Regnum Carya, which is located next door, we enjoyed a jam-packed day on the water slides and lazy river.
As I was racing down headfirst on a spiral water slide it was hard to imagine JLo doing something so normal during her stay.
Heading back to the suite to get ready for the evening, my summer dresses had been hung up in the huge walk-in wardrobe – only filling a tiny section of it – which also came complete with cosy fluffy robes and slippers.
And just like the Maid in Manhattan star, who was treated to personalised bedding and robe with her initials on during her stay, I made sure to make the most of the lavish suite complete with two huge flat screen televisions and a complimentary minibar (which was restocked daily).
Ahead of enjoying one of the resorts 30 dining venues, I stopped at the bar for a pre-dinner margarita and met the head cocktail bartender, who was based with JLo during her holiday.
He reveal that the actress was ‘not very adventurous with her cocktails but loved a white Russian’, which is a vodka based drink with coffee liqueur and cream served with ice.
So in an attempt to be ‘more adventurous’ myself, I switched up my usual margarita for a white Russian and instantly new why the star enjoyed them so much.
And as I arrived in the extravagant £3K-a-night suite, there was clearly no expenses spared for JLo as I was given the same A-list treatment with champagne and chocolate strawberries
I was told by hotel staff that Jennifer took full advantage of the resorts amazing facilities from enjoying the whirlpool and water park with her twins to dining in the plush restaurants
So on my first day I thought why not slide straight into the trip by hitting the huge 20 slide water park, which involved zero queuing or waiting around as it is private to hotel guests only
Enjoying a pre-dinner margarita, I met the head cocktail bartender, who was based with JLo during her holiday who reveal that she was ‘not very adventurous with her cocktails but loved a white Russian’
The bartender said: ‘She was great, I was with her during her stay making the drinks, she wasn’t very adventurous though with her cocktails, she loves a white Russian, I made lots of them.
‘My job is to create potions for guests but she really liked the white Russian’, he added.
Starting off the next day, I decided to hit the plush rooftop gym in true JLo style, but I’m not sure I have her impressive chiselled abs just yet, but the workout went twice as quick as I looked out over the Mediterranean Sea.
But if the gym isn’t your style, the hotel offers a number of fitness activities from pilates and yoga classes to beach volleyball and bungee fit.
Personally my favourite had to be the aqua pole dancing and aqua swim, both were entertaining to say the least, but you still felt like you had achieved something during the day of relaxation.
The impressive facilities also included pool parties, an FIFA-standard football field, five tennis courts, four padel courts, two golf courses – with the one 18 hole course being the only fully flood lighted one in Europe.
After working up an appetite, I headed to the resorts bakery where fresh rows of croissants and cakes were lined-up.
Deciding to enjoy some downtime by the swimming pool, a private butler came round every few hours to polish your sunglasses clean – something I never thought I needed but now wish I had on every holiday.
Nothing ever seemed to much bother for the hotel staff and while working on my tan, pool boys kept guests hydrated with cocktails and fizzy drinks as they roller skated around the pool delivery fresh beverages and fruit.
If one of the many swimming pools isn’t your scene, the powdery white sandy beach is just meters away and is lined with designer boutiques and chic beach clubs.
Fully staffed with a giant cushioned sofa, shaded loungers, and a step ladder dipping straight into the sea, guests can relax or can enjoy paddleboarding, jet skis and many other water sports.
Heading back to the suite to get ready for the evening, my summer dresses had been hung up in the huge walk-in wardrobe – only filling a tiny section of it, which also came complete with cosy fluffy robes and slippers
And just like the Maid in Manhattan star (pictured), who was treated to personalised bedding and robe with her initials on during her stay, I made sure to make the most of the lavish suite
When speaking to one insider about JLo’s stay, her dining experience was very private with room service and butlers, but marking her birthday she had the ‘whole downstairs’ of the hotel to herself for a ‘huge celebration’
They revealed: ‘Jennifer had the whole downstairs to herself and she was touring this time during her stay so bought all her dancers with her to celebrate her birthday. We threw a huge celebration and it was nice for the staff as well to host her’
Regnum The Crown provides unique accommodation experience with 343 suites and 15 villas
After another jam-packed day in the sunshine, feasting at The Crown is quite impressive with a range of fine dining restaurants and no matter what the craving there is something for everyone.
When speaking to one insider about JLo’s stay, her dining experience was very private with room service and butlers, but marking her birthday she had the ‘whole downstairs’ of the hotel to herself for a ‘huge celebration’.
They revealed: ‘Jennifer had the whole downstairs to herself and she was touring this time during her stay so bought all her dancers and tour crew with her to celebrate her birthday.
‘We threw a huge celebration and it was nice for the staff as well to host her.’
At the time, the Hollywood star took to social media to share a glimpse into her bash as she dazzled in a silver gown while blowing out her birthday candles on an impressive three-tier cake.
Following her celebrations, Jennifer took to the stage for an opening concert – as the Regnum Crown only opened it’s door this summer.
She put on a killer performance singing her hits ‘Let’s Get Loud,’ ‘Ain’t Your Mama’ and ‘On The Floor’ at the Pearl Event Area, which was free of charge to all guests.
The star has followed in the footsteps of Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, Jason Durelo, Tom Jones and Christina Aguilera, who had all previously performed at the resort sister hotel.
Unfortunately during my stay no Hollywood stars were performing but as evening fell, the energy shifted into a Broadway-style shows and poolside DJ sets.
It became quite clear to me why the 5-star hotel has quick become the new celebrity hotspot as the likes of Molly-Mae Hague and boyfriend Tommy Fury, Stacey Solomon and husband Joe Swash have all recently enjoyed holidaying at the resort.
The stars were seen sharing a glimpse into their stays while spending quality time with their children around the resort.
There is never a boring moment for children as they have full access to a 7000sqm kids club, complete with a Princess spa, slime-making, art workshops, kids’ gymnastics, plus a dedicated cinema, LEGO playroom, and a mini kitchen workshop.
Enjoying downtime by the swimming pool, a private butler came round every few hours to polish your sunglasses clean – something I never thought I needed but now wish I had on every holiday
Following her celebrations, Jennifer took to the stage for an opening concert – as the Regnum Crown only opened it’s door this summer, which was free of charge to all guests
If one of the many swimming pools isn’t your scene, the powdery white sandy beach is just meters away and is lined with designer boutiques and chic beach clubs
To complete the incredible experience, the rooftop infinity pool is the perfect place to watch the most picturesque sunset over the ocean
Outdoors, kids dash through the splash-filled water park, scramble across the rope bridges of the adventure park, and gather for musical shows at the open-air amphitheatre.
Meanwhile, Ali Baba’s Farm offers a hands-on experience—where little ones can hand-feed fluffy goats and cuddle baby bunnies beneath shady olive trees.
In the evenings, Kids enjoy mini discos while parents sip cocktails at the rooftop infinity pool.
Far from the children’s club, lies the hotel spa and while sipping on Turkish tea, treatments range from gold-leaf facials to volcanic stone massages and in the Zen Garden guided meditations take place.
The new extravagant celebrity hot spot is becoming more and more popular and I can see why, but the main thing I have taken away from ‘living the life of JLO for the week’ is, that I really like a white Russian cocktail.
To book one of the luxurious suites or villas at the Regnum The Crown visit: www.regnumhotels.com