Sunlight Garden Hotel

Finding genuinely spacious accommodation at a budget-friendly price, and a garden full of orange and lemon trees to wander through is rarer than it should be. The Sunlight Garden Hotel in Side, Antalya, gets that balance right. This 3-star all-inclusive apartment hotel sits across 18,000 square metres of lush botanical grounds, with low-rise villa blocks that feel a world apart from the towering resort complexes nearby. 🌿

It's a brilliant fit for families and couples who'd rather have room to breathe than pay extra for a bigger name. Multi-room apartments, four pools, and a lively animation programme keep guests of all ages well occupied. The ancient ruins of Side are just a 15-minute stroll away, and the beach is a short walk down the road. ☀️

Why book Sunlight Garden Hotel?

A few things genuinely set this hotel apart from the average 3-star in Side.

• 🌿 Beautiful botanical grounds-

  18,000 m² of gardens planted with orange, lemon, pomegranate, and olive trees. Calm, scented, and nothing like a typical resort.

• 🏊 Four pools including a waterslide pool-

  Two large main pools, a waterslide pool, and two shallow children's pools. There's rarely a scramble for a sun lounger.

• 👶 Proper family facilities-

  The Mini Club runs daily supervised activities for ages 4–12, with a playground, indoor play area, and evening mini-discos thrown in.

• 🏛️ Side Ancient City on your doorstep-

  The Roman theatre, city gates, and Temple of Apollo are all an easy 15–20 minute flat walk away.

• 🚐 Free beach shuttle-

  A free shuttle runs to the hotel's private beach three times a day, with sun loungers and umbrellas included at no extra charge.

• 💆 On-site hammam and spa-

  Wind down in a traditional Turkish bath or sauna during scheduled daytime hours. Paid treatments are also available.

How far is the nearest beach?

Kumkoy Beach (Side West Beach) is roughly 500 to 650 metres from the hotel- around a 7 to 10 minute flat walk. 🏖️ The hotel also runs a free shuttle three times a day to its private beach section, where sun loungers and parasols are included. Bear in mind that food and drinks at the beach are paid separately and are not covered by the all-inclusive package.

Distance from the airport

Antalya Airport (AYT) is approximately 63 km away, with a typical transfer time of 55–70 minutes by car or coach depending on traffic. ✈️ Most UK package holidays include a return coach transfer. If you're arranging your own transport, private taxis and pre-booked shuttles are straightforward to sort in advance.

Room types

All rooms are housed in low-rise villa-style blocks with tiled floors and private balconies or terraces overlooking the gardens. Three configurations are available.

• Standard Hotel Room-

  Sleeps up to two adults. Comes with one double bed or two single beds, a shower-only bathroom, air conditioning, TV, mini-fridge, telephone, and hair dryer. Every room has a private balcony with garden views. A chargeable safe is available at reception. Wi-Fi is strongest in the lobby and pool areas.

• 1+1 Family Room (35–40 m²)-

  A solid choice for a couple with one child or a group of three. A master bedroom with two beds sits alongside a separate living room with additional single or sofa beds. There's a small kitchenette with a mini-fridge and kettle- handy for cold drinks and snacks- though no cooking hobs are included. Comes with a private balcony, air conditioning, TV, and hair dryer.

• 2+2 Family Room (approx. 55 m²)-

  The largest option available, sleeping up to five or six guests. Two separate bedrooms, a central living area, a kitchenette setup, air conditioning, and a private balcony with garden views. Wi-Fi signal inside rooms can be patchy- a stronger connection is available in the lobby and pool areas.

Food & Drink

• 🍳 Breakfast buffet-

  Served from 07:30 to 10:00 at the main restaurant, with indoor seating and a shaded outdoor terrace.

• 🥗 Lunch buffet-

  Open from 12:00 to 14:00 with a rotating daily spread of hot and cold dishes.

• 🫖 Afternoon snacks-

  Available from 16:00 to 17:00, perfect for bridging the gap between lunch and dinner.

• 🍽️ Dinner buffet-

  Served from 19:00 to 21:00. Expect salads, grilled meats, and Turkish-inspired local dishes. On longer stays, the rotation can feel a little repetitive.

• 🍹 Pool bar-

  Local beers, soft drinks, and spirits are included throughout the day. Imported spirits, premium cocktails, and freshly squeezed juices carry an extra charge.

• 🌙 Late-night drinks-

  All drinks ordered after 23:00 are fully chargeable and fall outside the all-inclusive package.

• 🏖️ Beach bar-

  The hotel's private beach section operates independently. Any food or drinks purchased there are paid separately.

• ⚠️ Please note-

  There are no a-la-carte restaurants on site; all dining is at the main buffet restaurant. Surcharges apply to imported spirits, premium cocktails, freshly squeezed juices, and drinks after 23:00. We recommend confirming your inclusions at check-in.

Things to do near Sunlight Garden Hotel

• 🏛️ Side Ancient City (1.5 km / 15–20 min walk)-

  Wander through a sweeping Roman theatre, ancient city gates, and the iconic Temple of Apollo perched above the harbour.

• 💧 Manavgat Waterfalls & Bazaar (approx. 6–8 km / 15 min by dolmuş)-

  Wide cascades along the Manavgat River paired with a bustling open-air market selling textiles, spices, and fresh produce.

• ⛵ Green Canyon boat trip (approx. 25 km away)-

  A popular day excursion into an emerald-green reservoir lake set within the Taurus Mountains. Most tours include swimming stops.

• 🚌 Local dolmuş buses-

  Public minibuses run close to the hotel entrance, making it easy and affordable to explore the wider Side and Manavgat area without a hire car.

• 🏓 On-site sports & activities-

  Table tennis is free to use. Billiards and arcade games are available for a small token fee. The animation team runs water aerobics, pool games, and a foam party most weeks.

• 🎭 Evening entertainment-

  Nightly shows include bingo, karaoke, live acrobatics, and a weekly Turkish Night Gala with traditional food and belly dancing. All complimentary.

All Inclusive

The all-inclusive package covers open-buffet breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner, plus local drinks throughout the day at the pool bar- all included in your room rate. 🍴 Meals are served in the main buffet restaurant, with both indoor and shaded terrace seating available.

The package does not cover imported spirits, premium cocktails, freshly squeezed juices, or drinks ordered after 23:00. Spa treatments, chargeable safes, and beach bar purchases are also extras. 🍹 For families wanting a relaxed, no-fuss holiday without surprise costs at every turn, it offers solid value- just check what falls outside the package before you travel. ☀️