Hôtel IC Hotels Santai Family ResortAll Inclusive in Antalya

Claire Vasseur

JustRelax travel writer · 5 min read

Some hotels welcome families. Others are built for them. The IC Hotels Santai Family Resort firmly belongs to the second category. Settled on Turkey's Turquoise Coast, within easy reach of the ancient ruins of Side and the Mediterranean's warm embrace, it spreads across a generous space where every family member finds exactly what they came for. Parents watch the sun set from the Sunset Snack-Bar terrace while children wear themselves happily out on the waterpark's six slides. No one has to make sacrifices, and everyone goes to bed tired and content.

Arrival

From Antalya International Airport, it's roughly 25 kilometres to the resort, a gentle drive that gives you time to feel the air shift, warmer, heavier with pine resin and sea salt. The lobby sets the tone immediately: modern, bright and open onto the gardens, anchored by a 24-hour bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at any hour of the day or night. The 508 rooms are split into two main categories. The Standard Garden View Room (29 m²) comes with a furnished terrace or balcony overlooking greenery, while the Standard Sea View Room delivers the blue Mediterranean at first light. Both share identical amenities: air conditioning and heating, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, Wi-Fi, a tea and coffee tray, minibar, safe and a bathroom fitted with a rainfall shower and hairdryer. Capacity is the same for both: up to three adults and one child, or two adults and two children, which addresses real family needs without forcing anyone to book communicating rooms. The private sandy beach is accessible directly from the resort, fitted with sun loungers and parasols. The sounds of the Mediterranean quickly become the natural soundtrack to the stay. Secluded coves in the surrounding area, reachable by boat, add an adventurous dimension for families who like to venture beyond the resort perimeter.

Dining, all included

Seven restaurants, five themed bars and several additional food and drink outlets: the IC Hotels Santai Family Resort's dining offer is among the most structured on the Turkish Riviera. The main restaurant, spacious and modern, serves varied buffets morning, noon and evening in a setting that turns every meal into a genuine shared moment rather than a refuelling stop. For à la carte dinners, each restaurant has a clear identity. Olivo heads to Italy with generous Mediterranean flavours. Umami Asian & Sushi presents carefully crafted Asian specialities and fresh sushi. Ja La Peño brings heat and spice in a lively, festive atmosphere. Ocakbaşı honours Turkish culinary tradition with charcoal grills prepared right in front of guests. Del Mar Fish serves fresh seafood in an elegant setting open to the sea breeze. On the drinks side, the lobby bar runs 24 hours a day. The Club House Bar is available throughout the day. The pool bar mixes refreshments and cocktails between swims. The vitamin bar presses fresh juices on demand. The tropical terrace of Café IC provides a relaxed space for a mid-afternoon pause. The Mixology Bar crafts bold cocktail recipes for curious palates. The Pocoloco keeps the dancing going well into the night. We invite you to verify the full all-inclusive details directly on the IC Hotels website, as inclusions may vary by season and room type.

Days by the water

Nine pools, seven outdoor and two indoor, a waterpark with six slides, and a private sandy beach: water is everywhere at the Santai, and there is never a shortage of choice. The solarium with sun loungers and parasols provides a dry base between swims, and beach and pool towels are provided, which means one less thing to pack. On the beach and around the pools, several water activities are available: beach volleyball, windsurfing, pedal boats and water polo. Motorised water sports including a banana boat, parasailing and jet skiing are also on site, available for an additional fee. Away from the water, the resort offers a fitness centre, mini golf, four football pitches, tennis courts, table tennis, and group classes in pilates, aerobics, stretching and aqua gym. Archery, darts and bocce complete a sports offer that is rarely this comprehensive in the five-star resort category. For children, the organisation is exceptionally thoughtful. The Petit Club caters to ages 0 to 3 with age-appropriate activities. The Groovy Kids Club takes ages 4 to 7, and the Cool Kids Club ages 8 to 11, split into two distinct groups with beach activities, pool sessions, sports and creative sessions tailored to each age. Teenagers aged 12 to 16 have their own territory at the Prime Kids Club and ICool Teenage Lounge, with billiards and table football. International entertainment activities run throughout the day across all age groups.

Evening vibes

As the sun drops, the resort shifts gear without losing its energy. The daily international entertainment programme takes over from the sports schedule: concerts, live shows, themed evenings and live music fill the evenings for guests of all ages. The Mixology Bar becomes the natural gathering point for cocktail enthusiasts, while the Pocoloco keeps the dancing crowd happy until late. For a quieter evening, the tropical terrace of Café IC offers a pleasant spot for conversation away from the speakers, ideal for wrapping up a full day with a drink in hand. The Lilium Spa, available at an additional cost, offers facial and body treatments, a Turkish bath, sauna, hammam and massages for those who prefer to end their day in deeper relaxation.

Who is it for?

The IC Hotels Santai Family Resort is above all a family hotel in the fullest sense: it has been designed so that parents and children have genuinely good holidays at the same time, without either side making significant compromises. Families with young children benefit from supervised clubs from birth onwards, teenagers have dedicated spaces, and adults enjoy themed restaurants, late-opening bars and a spa. Childless couples will appreciate the depth of the dining offer, the variety of pools and the quality of the evening entertainment, though the overall atmosphere remains lively and family-oriented. History and culture enthusiasts will find rich material for exploration in the immediate surroundings: Side with its Temple of Apollo, the theatre at Aspendos, the Manavgat waterfalls and Köprülü Canyon are all accessible by excursion from the resort.