Cullinan Golf & Resort in Belek: Better than the Maldives?

For this hotel review I headed off to Turkey, more precisely to the Cullinan Golf & Resort in Belek near Antalya. The big question hanging in the air: can this luxury resort really compete with the Maldives? I took three days to properly check out the rooms, pools, beach, restaurants and golf courses.

The first impression in the lobby is pretty impressive. High ceilings, fancy marble floors, huge crystal chandeliers and a check-in area that instantly gives you that five-star feeling. My room, Suite 5122 with a sea view, won me over completely. A massive living area, my own juice fridge, a fully stocked minibar with wine and soft drinks, a 55-inch Samsung TV, and a dreamy view from the balcony stretching across the whole resort all the way to the sea. The bathroom scores with a generously sized rain shower, high-quality toiletries and fresh towels. One small gripe: the air conditioning was pretty loud, which could bother some guests, although it didn't really bother me much.

The resort itself has plenty on offer: a spa area with an indoor pool, hammam, steam bath and sauna, plus several outdoor pools, including a heated one and a separate adults-only zone for those after some peace and quiet. For families there's a Kids Club, a playground and even an evening drone show that goes down a treat with the kids. The gardens are beautifully kept, palm trees everywhere and tons of greenery, perfect for strolling between the different hotel areas.

The private beach was honestly one of the highlights for me. A long wooden boardwalk leads out to the sea, with its own pier and water sports options. At 27 degrees in November I could even still go for a swim in the sea, which was unusually pleasant for that time of year. There's also a separate adults-only area right on the beach for anyone craving a bit more quiet.

Food-wise, there's a lot going on. The main buffet is huge and offers a wide range from fresh fish to antipasti to its own pasta station where you can choose between different types of pasta. On top of that there's a chocolate and pralines bar where you can help yourself as much as you like, including homemade ice cream. Besides the 24-hour restaurant, there are several specialty restaurants, including a Teppanyaki and a dedicated Turkish restaurant serving authentic Turkish cuisine. For one of the à la carte evenings though, there's a surcharge of about 25 euros per person, which personally I don't think is really necessary, since the quality of the included buffet is already seriously high.

Rounding off the stay are two in-house golf courses, Olympus and Aspendos, where I took a round in a golf cart. The butler service also pleasantly surprised me, always reachable and extremely attentive, which gave the stay a really personal touch. I also found the guest mix interesting: around 80 percent of guests come from Russia, with the rest mainly from Germany, Austria or the UK, and overall the resort is clearly geared towards families.

My verdict: honestly, when it comes to the pure beach and water experience, this hotel can't quite keep up with the Maldives, the Maldives remain unbeatable there. But if you want to play golf, stay closer to Europe and still enjoy an outstanding all-round package with excellent food, luxurious rooms and top-notch facilities, the Cullinan Golf & Resort is definitely worth the trip. Small deductions for the somewhat inconsistent service standard and the loud club music in the evening, in case you end up with a room facing the wrong direction. Overall though, a thoroughly successful stay that I'm happy to recommend.