Ela Excellence Resort Belek

"From Last‑Minute Panic to Pure Perfection – Ela Excellence Delivered We travelled to Ela Excellence in September as a family of four — myself, my partner Zoe, our baby Daisy, and Charlie. This was a very last‑minute booking after Zoe was prevented from travelling to Croatia the day before thanks to the farcical EU passport restrictions designed to catch Britons out. What began in stress turned into the best decision we could have made. As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed so warmly — and that warmth from the hotel team was evident throughout our stay. Staff didn’t just do their jobs, they noticed the little things. With a baby in tow, those thoughtful touches mattered: high chairs ready before we asked, staff happily entertaining Daisy so we could finish a meal, and housekeeping leaving the room spotless but never intrusive. Neblhe, our cleaner, deserves special mention. Every day we returned to a space that felt fresh, safe, and beautifully maintained. Despite the language barrier, her radiant smile and attention to detail made her a quiet hero of our holiday. The kids club was truly “best in class.” A wonderful team looked after the children with big smiles and enthusiasm. Soft play, role play, artistic workshops, themed parties, a gaming room, cinema, baby room, and even a kids’ restaurant — just perfect. Charlie’s highlight was the art festival, painting masks and canvases in the idyllic village square by the fountain. Entertainment and events were equally impressive. Parties seemed to appear by magic and vanish overnight — no small feat. The Oktoberfest was a classy affair, packed with food and entertainment, and by the next morning the green field it was hosted on was immaculate again. The amphitheatre shows were excellent: our 11‑month‑old clapped and cheered as pirates cycled across tightropes and Mongolian gymnasts fired arrows with their feet while balancing on their hands. The grounds were immaculate, thanks to gardeners and cleaners who deserve their own shout‑out. Everywhere we went was spotless and beautifully cared for. The restaurants were exceptional. Every meal we tried was delicious, with attentive table service. Breakfast buffets never disappointed, snack bars and steak sandwiches were always available, and branded drinks were served with smiles everywhere. The coffee shop also deserves a mention — the coffee was consistently excellent, beautifully prepared, and a real treat each day. And then there were the two delicatessens — a paradise of chocolates, pastries, ice cream, and other delicious treats. Our Charlie struck up a wonderful rapport with the staff there, and each visit seemed to end with him emerging triumphantly with another pile of chocolates or a stack of irresistible brownie cookies. The chefs are clearly top professionals, producing food of consistently high quality, and they are matched by waiters and waitresses who combine efficiency with genuine warmth. Together, they made every dining experience feel special. Poolside service was another highlight: rollerblading staff delivering drinks ordered straight from your phone while you lounged by one of the many clean, inviting pools. A solid mention must go to Tayfun and Lara, who looked after us via WhatsApp all week. From restaurant bookings to clearing up baby sick, nothing was too much trouble. The service was seamless, and even after we returned home, Tayfun messaged to check we’d arrived safely — a small gesture that spoke volumes about the care we received. We also want to recognise Baran, a new member of staff who seemed to be part of guest relations. He was ever‑present, approachable, and clearly committed to making guests feel valued. For someone so new, he carried himself with real professionalism and warmth — a great addition to the Ela team. He even came to wave us goodbye when we sadly left, a small gesture that meant a great deal and summed up the genuine care we felt throughout our stay. In many ways, Ela is understated compared to other Turkish resorts — and that’s a good thing. The environment is calm, elegant, and the perfect place to relax and recharge. I’ve worked in service excellence, trained to understand the difference between meeting expectations and exceeding them. The management and team at Ela have this down to a fine art. They deliver the things you didn’t even know you needed. Unlike many 5‑star all‑inclusive resorts, there was no upselling. What we paid in advance covered the whole experience. On our last day, when my son tried to tip his favourite staff, they were reluctant to accept — a rare and refreshing sign of genuine hospitality. Ela Excellence has restored my faith in Turkish hospitality (especially after a less‑than‑perfect trip elsewhere earlier this year — see my previous review of the Titanic Lara Beach for comparison, and to show I don’t give this sort of praise unless fully deserved). We loved it so much that we’ve already booked to return next September and are very excited to return to this paradise — this time bringing all of our children with us. That, I think, says it all. Finally, if I’ve missed anyone out by name, I apologise — the whole team deserves praise. From the gardeners and cleaners to the repair men who quietly fix anything broken, the lifeguards, the photographers, the bar staff, and everyone behind the scenes, right through to the management who clearly employ the right people and direct them perfectly. Every single one of them contributed to making this holiday so special. And as a final note: one of Charlie’s proudest moments was painting a Daisy at the kids’ art festival. That painting now hangs proudly on our kitchen wall — a daily reminder that Ela Excellence gave us more than a holiday, it gave us memories we can hold onto."

"An amazing hotel where nothing is too much trouble for the staff. Facilities are excellent, the kids club is amazing. Food is very good and the a la carte choices are great. The Personal Assistant service we have not experienced before and was fantastic, Sena and Mehtap were on hand all day to assist with anything we needed. No complaints or faults at all from us, would highly recommend and will certainly be back."

"We had an amazing stay at Ela Excellence! The hotel is absolutely beautiful, very clean and well maintained. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful – always smiling and making sure we had everything we needed. A special thanks to Yavuz and Lidya, who were extremely helpful and quick to assist whenever we needed something – their support made our stay even better! There were lots of activities for both kids and adults, and the heated pools (both for children and adults) made swimming really enjoyable. The food was excellent, with a huge variety every day and several great themed à la carte restaurants to choose from. Overall, it was a fantastic holiday experience – we truly enjoyed every moment and would love to come back!"