Barut Hemera

Quick Verdict

Barut Hemera is the kind of resort that wins awards not through glamour but through relentless consistency. Three consecutive Booking.com Traveller Review Awards, a TUI Top 100 Global Hotels listing, and a 50% repeat-guest rate tell you everything: this is a property that gets the fundamentals right, year after year. It is not the newest hotel on the Turkish Riviera. It is not the flashiest. But if you want five included a la carte restaurants, a complimentary hammam and spa circuit, a private sandy beach, and genuinely entertaining evening shows — all starting at around $135 per night — Hemera is nearly impossible to beat on value. Families and couples alike will find a lot to love here. Just manage your expectations on the water park and the pool depth.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
9.2 Booking.com score — three consecutive Traveller Review Awards	Opened 1990 — common areas show their age in places
Hammam, sauna, steam room, and indoor pool included free	All outdoor pools are 1.40m deep with no gradual entry
5 included a la carte restaurants with genuine variety	Water park has just 2 slides (underwhelming by Turkish standards)
351 rooms — intimate enough to feel personal	No adults-only pool for couples seeking quiet
Swim-up rooms from ~$220/night	Rocky seabed in some areas limits swimming comfort
Entertainment shows (acrobats, circus, live bands) praised as top-tier	Mizuhi Sushi restaurant carries a surcharge despite appearing on the dining menu

The Resort at a Glance

Detail	Info
Rooms	351 across 16 room categories
Restaurants	7 (1 buffet + 5 included a la carte + 1 surcharge)
Bars	5 including 24-hour lobby bar and beach bar
Pools	5 (main, secondary, children’s, indoor heated, water park)
Beach	Private sandy beach with loungers and umbrellas
Airport	~70 km / 45-75 min from Antalya (AYT)
Opened	1990
Chain	Barut Hotels (standard tier, not Collection)

Barut Hemera sits in the Kumkoy district of Side, about 10 minutes’ drive from the ancient ruins of Side and roughly 45-75 minutes from Antalya Airport depending on traffic. The hotel is part of the Barut Hotels group — an important distinction, because Barut operates two tiers. Collection properties like Acanthus Cennet and Arum get the unlimited a la carte dining and newer facilities. Hemera sits at the standard tier, which means slightly older bones but significantly lower prices. Think of it as the reliable family sedan in a lineup that includes some luxury coupes.

The resort runs its Ultra All-Inclusive program from April through October, switching to a standard All-Inclusive format during the winter months (November through March). If you are planning a winter visit, know that you will be getting a reduced version of the experience — fewer restaurants open, less animation, and generally quieter grounds.

Rooms and Suites

Standard Rooms: Superior and Deluxe

The entry-level Superior Room Land View gives you 32 square meters (344 sq ft) with a balcony, minibar restocked daily, air conditioning, and a Nespresso machine. It is a clean, functional room — nothing that will make your jaw drop, but comfortable for a couple or a couple with one child. The decor reflects the hotel’s age: think solid rather than stylish.

Step up to the Superior Room Side Sea View for a partial sea glimpse from your balcony, or splurge on the Superior Room with Jacuzzi on Balcony if you want a private hot tub overlooking the pool or garden. Deluxe rooms add 2 extra square meters (34 sqm / 366 sq ft) and slightly upgraded furnishings — the Deluxe Side Sea View is probably the sweet spot for couples who want a water view without breaking the bank, starting around $175 per night.

The Standout: Deluxe Swim Up Room

At $220 per night, the Deluxe Swim Up Room is Hemera’s best value upgrade. You get 34 square meters with a private terrace that steps directly into the pool. Parquet flooring, Nespresso machine, and space for up to four guests make this work for families too — not just honeymooners. At many Turkish resorts, swim-up rooms start north of $350. Hemera’s pricing here is genuinely competitive.

Suites and Residences

For families needing space, the 41-square-meter Family Room ($180/night) or the 54-square-meter One Bedroom Residence ($250/night, with separate bedroom and living room) are the practical picks. The Two Bedroom Residence stretches to 72 square meters and sleeps four — ideal for families with older kids who want their own space.

At the top end, the hotel offers some genuinely impressive suites. The Apollon Suite spans 130 square meters with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and sea views from $450 per night. The Patara Suite is the flagship at 142 square meters with a hot tub, large terrace, and separate bedroom — the closest thing to a private villa experience, starting at $520. And for something truly memorable, the 360-degree Penthouse Suite delivers panoramic views across Side from the building’s top floor.

Our Pick

The Deluxe Swim Up Room for couples, the One Bedroom Residence for families. The swim-up rooms deliver the most memorable experience per dollar spent, while the Residence gives families the separation between kids’ zone and parents’ zone that makes or breaks a vacation.

Food and Dining

Hemera Restaurant (Main Buffet)

The main buffet restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an international spread plus Turkish specialties. It is perfectly adequate — you will not go hungry, and the variety is reasonable. But it gets loud and crowded during peak season, especially at dinner. The honest advice: use the buffet for breakfast (it is good — fresh Turkish breads, eggs made to order, pastries) and steer toward the a la carte restaurants for lunch and dinner whenever possible.

A La Carte Restaurants (5 Included)

This is where Hemera genuinely shines for its price point. Five a la carte restaurants are included in the Ultra All-Inclusive package, and they cover enough ground that you will not get bored during a week-long stay.

Akdeniz is the flagship — a gourmet restaurant blending French, Italian, and Turkish cuisines. It is the one you want to book on your first evening. Reservations fill fast, so visit reception early in your stay to lock down a table.

Sandal serves seafood and gets strong reviews for freshness and presentation. If you like your fish grilled simply with Mediterranean flavors, this is your spot. The catch-of-the-day specials are worth asking about.

Sofra focuses on traditional Turkish cuisine with modern presentations. This is where the kitchen gets creative — expect updated takes on classic Ottoman recipes rather than the kebab-and-meze routine you find at most Turkish hotel restaurants.

Olive is the Italian restaurant, operating seasonally from May through October. Solid pastas and pizzas in a pleasant setting, though it is the least distinctive of the four dinner venues.

Meltem Burger House fills the casual daytime slot with burgers, grilled meats, pizza, and poolside snacks. It sounds basic, but the ingredients are locally sourced and the burgers are genuinely good for a resort snack bar.

The Surcharge Restaurant: Mizuhi Sushi

Here is the catch. Mizuhi Sushi appears on the hotel’s restaurant list alongside everything else, but it carries a surcharge. This frustrates guests who assumed it was included, and rightly so — the hotel could be clearer about this. If sushi is important to you, confirm the exact surcharge at reception before booking. It is not a dealbreaker, but it feels like a nickel-and-dime move at a property that otherwise plays fair.

Bars and Drinks

Five bars cover the basics well. The Side Lounge Lobby Bar runs 24 hours — useful for a nightcap or an early-morning coffee before the buffet opens. Kumsal Bar on the beach serves drinks alongside casual grilled food, making it the natural spot for a long afternoon. Hemera Bar is the evening destination, with a fireplace, comfortable loungers, and live music — genuinely pleasant for post-dinner drinks. Meltem Pool Bar keeps the poolside crowd hydrated during the day, and the seasonal Olive Bar (May-October) operates alongside its namesake restaurant.

The Ultra All-Inclusive package covers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including branded spirits, though the hotel does not publish its exact spirit list. Expect Turkish premium brands plus a selection of international labels. Drinks are served until midnight at most bars, with the lobby bar picking up the slack after hours.

The Sweet Spot: Hanimeli Patisserie

Do not overlook the Hanimeli Patisserie — fresh-baked pastries, macarons, ice cream, and proper coffee throughout the day. It is a small thing, but having a quality patisserie elevates the between-meal experience noticeably. A mid-afternoon macaron and espresso on the terrace is a genuinely luxurious touch at this price point.

Food Quality Verdict

For a mid-range ultra all-inclusive, the dining at Barut Hemera is above average — significantly so. The five included a la carte restaurants provide real variety and genuine quality. The buffet is the weak link, but you can largely avoid it after breakfast. Do not expect Michelin-level cuisine, but do expect to eat well every night without paying a cent extra (Mizuhi aside).

Beach and Pools

The Beach

Barut Hemera has a private sandy beach with sun loungers and umbrellas included. The sand is golden, the water is that trademark Mediterranean turquoise, and the views along the coast toward Side are lovely. It is a good beach — but not a perfect one. Some sections have a rocky bottom near the waterline, which can make entering the water uncomfortable, especially for children or guests who prefer to wade in gradually. Water shoes are a smart packing addition.

The beach gets moderately crowded in peak July and August but rarely feels overwhelmed — the 351-room capacity helps here. A beach promenade connects the hotel area to Side’s ancient ruins, roughly a 30-40 minute walk along the coast. It is scenic but long; most guests take a taxi or the local dolmus (minibus) for the $2-3 fare instead.

Pools

Five pools sounds generous, and in practice the setup works well — mostly. The main pool is the social hub, with the animation team running water games, competitions, and music throughout the day. It is lively, fun, and exactly what families want. The secondary pool offers a somewhat quieter alternative, though it does not carry an adults-only designation, so families use it too.

The children’s pool provides a safe shallow area for young kids, and the indoor heated pool (part of the spa complex) is a genuine asset for shoulder-season visits when outdoor swimming is not realistic.

Here is the problem: all outdoor pools are a uniform 1.40 meters deep with no gradual entry. That means no wading area, no shallow end, no gentle slope into the water. For confident swimmers this is fine. For non-swimmers, nervous children, or anyone who prefers to ease into the water, it is a real limitation. The children’s pool is the only shallow option on the entire property.

The water park has two slides. By the standards of, say, a midsize American hotel, that is fine. By the standards of Turkish mega-resorts — where Rixos Premium Belek offers Land of Legends access and Regnum Carya has a full aqua park — it is modest. If water slides are a priority for your kids, Hemera will disappoint.

Activities and Entertainment

Daytime Activities

The daytime program covers the resort-standard basics — beach volleyball, tennis (night lighting costs extra), mini golf, darts, boccia, table tennis, snooker, and pool competitions. Non-motorized water sports are available at the beach desk (confirm specifics on arrival). None of this is unusual, but it is all well-organized and consistently available.

What sets Hemera apart is the animation team. They are multilingual, enthusiastic without being overbearing, and they run a genuinely engaging program of pool games, tournaments, and social activities. Multiple reviewers single out the animation staff by name — always a sign that a resort’s entertainment goes beyond going-through-the-motions.

Evening Entertainment

This is where Hemera truly earns its reputation. The nightly entertainment is not the tired lip-sync shows you brace yourself for at most all-inclusives. The hotel brings in professional dance teams, acrobat troupes, and circus performers whose shows are genuinely impressive. Live bands play at Hemera Bar, and themed party nights add variety to longer stays. Reviewers consistently describe the entertainment as “top-notch” and “surprisingly high quality” — the kind of praise that is rare for a mid-range property.

Kids’ Club

The Bary Star Kids Club offers supervised activities across multiple age groups, giving parents genuine downtime. A teen club provides age-appropriate entertainment for older children. The kids’ club is a solid offering, though specific age ranges and hours are not published — confirm details at check-in.

Spa and Wellness

The Barut Hemera Spa Center is a genuine competitive advantage. While most Turkish all-inclusives charge for access to their thermal facilities, Hemera includes the hammam (Turkish bath), sauna, steam room, and indoor heated pool at no extra cost as part of the Ultra All-Inclusive package. That is not a small thing — a hammam session alone costs $30-50 at most competitors.

The fitness center features modern cardio and strength equipment with garden views and is open to guests aged 16 and over. Professional trainers are available.

Paid treatments — massages, facials, body scrubs — are available at additional cost. But the fact that you can spend a full wellness morning rotating through hammam, steam room, sauna, and indoor pool without spending a penny makes Hemera’s spa offering one of the best at this price point in Turkey.

What Is Included vs. Extra

Included in Ultra All-Inclusive	Costs Extra
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner at buffet)	Mizuhi Sushi restaurant (surcharge)
5 a la carte dinners (Akdeniz, Sandal, Sofra, Olive, Meltem)	Spa treatments (massages, facials, scrubs)
Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks	Motorized water sports
24-hour lobby bar	Scuba diving
Daily minibar restock (sodas, water, beer)	Tennis court lighting (night play)
Hanimeli Patisserie (pastries, ice cream, coffee)	Excursions (Side ruins, Manavgat Falls, boat trips)
Hammam, sauna, steam room, indoor pool	Airport transfer (free only for 10+ night stays)
Fitness center	Premium wines / champagne beyond house pours
Non-motorized water sports
Kids’ club and teen club
Daytime animation and nightly shows
Beach loungers and umbrellas
Wi-Fi throughout property

Pricing and How to Book

Price Ranges by Season

Season	Period	Price per Night (Double Room)	Notes
Low / Shoulder	April, May, October	$135-180	Best value. Full Ultra AI, fewer crowds
Mid	June, September	$180-280	Warm weather, manageable crowds
Peak	July-August	$280-400	Highest prices, busiest pools and beach
Winter (Standard AI)	November-March	$100-150	Reduced program, not Ultra AI
Suites	Year-round	$380-520	Side Suite through Patara Suite

These are per-room, per-night rates for two adults. Prices fluctuate based on room category, booking lead time, and demand. The sweet spot is May-June or September-October — you get the full Ultra All-Inclusive experience, warm Mediterranean weather, and prices 30-40% below peak summer.

Best Time to Book

Book 3-4 months ahead for July-August stays. For shoulder season (May-June, September-October), 6-8 weeks in advance typically secures good rates and your preferred room type. Last-minute deals do appear, but swim-up rooms and suites sell out early.

Where to Book

Booking.com is the most straightforward option — the hotel’s 9.2 score there means you benefit from verified reviews, and flexible cancellation policies give you room to adjust plans. UK-based travelers often find the best package deals through Jet2holidays or easyJet holidays, which bundle flights from regional airports. TUI also packages Hemera regularly. For direct bookings, check the Barut Hotels website for any loyalty perks or exclusive rates.

Transfer tip: Book a private airport transfer in advance — expect to pay $40-60 for the 45-minute ride from Antalya Airport. Shared shuttles are cheaper but can take 90+ minutes with multiple hotel drops along the coast. If you are staying 10 nights or longer, Barut Hotels offers a complimentary transfer.

Compared to Nearby All-Inclusive Resorts in Side and Belek

Acanthus Cennet Barut Collection is the obvious comparison — it is Hemera’s sibling property within the Barut Hotels group, but at the Collection tier. Acanthus Cennet was relaunched in 2016 with modern interiors, confirmed unlimited a la carte dining, and it is walkable to Side’s ancient ruins. If your budget allows, it is the upgrade. Hemera’s edge is price — you get roughly 80% of the experience for 60% of the cost.

Maxx Royal Belek is Turkey’s benchmark ultra-luxury all-inclusive, scoring 9.4 on Booking.com with a price tag of $500-900+ per night. It is a different market entirely — but useful context for understanding what Hemera delivers. You get perhaps 60-70% of the Maxx Royal experience at 25-30% of the cost. That is genuinely remarkable value.

Rixos Premium Belek is the choice for families who prioritize water parks and mega-resort scale. It is bigger, flashier, and more expensive. If your kids live for water slides, Rixos wins. If you prefer better food, a more personal atmosphere, and lower prices, Hemera wins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barut Hemera a Barut Collection hotel?

No. Hemera is a standard-tier Barut Hotels property, not part of the Barut Collection. The practical difference is that Collection hotels like Acanthus Cennet and Arum offer confirmed unlimited a la carte dining and newer facilities. At Hemera, a la carte dining is included but reservation frequency may be limited during peak season — confirm specifics when booking.

Is the beach at Barut Hemera good for swimming?

The beach is sandy with clear turquoise Mediterranean water, but some sections have a rocky bottom near the waterline. Bring water shoes for comfortable entry. The beach is better for sunbathing and wading than for deep-water swimming directly from shore.

Is Barut Hemera good for families with young children?

Yes, with caveats. The kids’ club, children’s pool, and family rooms make it family-friendly. However, the outdoor pools are all 1.40m deep with no shallow entry, and the water park has only 2 slides. Families with very young children need to supervise pool time carefully due to the depth. For serious water park facilities, Regnum Carya or Rixos Premium Belek are better picks.

What is the difference between Ultra All-Inclusive and standard All-Inclusive at Hemera?

Ultra All-Inclusive runs April through October and includes the full a la carte dining program, branded spirits, all daytime activities, spa facility access, and the complete entertainment schedule. Standard All-Inclusive (November through March) is a reduced program with fewer restaurants open, limited entertainment, and potentially domestic-only spirits. If you want the full Hemera experience, visit between April and October.

How far is Barut Hemera from Side town center?

About 10 minutes by car or dolmus (local minibus, $2-3 fare). There is a scenic beach promenade connecting the hotel area to Side’s ancient ruins, but it is a 30-40 minute walk — pleasant for an evening stroll, but most guests take transport for actual sightseeing trips.

Is Barut Hemera pet-friendly?

Yes — Barut Hemera is one of the rare Turkish all-inclusives that accepts pets. Contact the hotel directly for specific pet policies and any associated fees.

Final Verdict: 8.4 out of 10

Barut Hemera is not trying to be the most glamorous resort on the Turkish Riviera, and that honesty is precisely its strength. What it offers instead is something harder to find: genuinely consistent quality at a price that does not require a second mortgage.

The five included a la carte restaurants are legitimately good — Akdeniz and Sandal in particular deliver dining experiences that would cost $50-80 per person at a European restaurant. The complimentary spa circuit (hammam, sauna, steam, indoor pool) is a tangible advantage that most competitors at this price simply do not match. And the evening entertainment — professional acrobat shows, circus performers, live bands — is a cut above what you expect from a mid-range property.

Yes, the building is showing its 1990 origins in places. Yes, the pool depth situation is a legitimate concern for families with young children. And yes, if your kids’ vacation happiness depends on a world-class water park, you should be looking at Belek instead of Side.

But for couples who want a private beach, great food, and included spa access without Belek prices — or for families who value dining quality and entertainment over water slides — Barut Hemera is one of the smartest bookings in Turkey. The 50% repeat-guest rate tells you everything: people who stay here come back. That is the most honest endorsement any resort can earn.

Who should book: Value-conscious couples, families who prioritize food and entertainment over water parks, and repeat visitors to Turkey who know that price and quality are not always correlated.

Who should skip: Couples wanting a modern luxury aesthetic, families whose children need a real water park, and anyone seeking an adults-only retreat.