Why I loved my first all-inclusive holiday and my first trip to Turkey

But I am pleased to say I was proved very wrong during my fabulous week with my son, Finlay, at the very luxurious Paloma Foresta hotel nestled on Turkey’s stunning Meditteranean coastline.

My other concern that the food would be mediocre was immediately set aside as we arrived late evening and the cooks quickly served us a meal of our choice - my sea bass was fresh and beautifully cooked.

We travelled there just before the season officially starts in April to May but the hotel was buzzing with holidaymakers from across Europe.

The weather was mixed but rain on our first day gave us the opportunity to explore the hotel and beautifully manicured grounds which lead to a private beach. I completed my day with an anti-stress massage by a professional Balinese masseur. The near hour massage was well worth the £50 fee.

The hotel is one of nine belonging to the Tonbul family. It was opened in 1988 and the 345 rooms really are gorgeous. We each had a junior suite with our own private spacious terraces and they were lovely. But a standard double also has plenty of room. The interior design of the hotel and rooms is worthy of its five star grading and the staff are incredibly friendly.

Because the hotel is set in the Bey Mountains National Park, animals and vegetation are protected so it is a lush looking area sandwiched between the beach and the striking Taurus Mountain range behind.

It is one of a small strip of hotels, none above three storeys high. Neither does the area have loud bars or tacky tourism shops - this is truly a hidden tasteful gem.

Founder Hasan Tonbul, a former travel agent, opened his chain 47 years and as a group it is committed to sustainable tourism. The food served all week was top notch. From steaks and salads to pizza and pasta, it was all freshly cooked and served steaming hot. Meat and fish are sourced locally while over 15 per cent of the food served to the guests is grown organically on the family’s farm.

They also produce their own red and rose wine - I can confirm the latter is delicious.Two restaurants, the Lotus and Seasons offered waiter service with a choice of meals from a set menu or themed evenings. The standard of food overall was excellent.

We enjoyed a fantastic day out to the surrounding area - taking in sun, sea and even snow high up in the mountains which neighboured our hotel. We booked via TUI and enjoyed a private guide for the day - well worth doing so.

Our first stop was to the ruins of the ancient Greek and Roman coastal city of Phaselis, now being beautifully preserved. A 24-metre-wide ancient street runs through the middle of the 2,600 year old city, with small shops leading off it. Ruins of Roman baths, an amphitheatre and a brothel can be made out - some dating back to 200 BC.

The once major sea port is home to three natural harbours, beautiful to enjoy lunch at or a swim. The ground is stony so wear flat suitable footwear. Leaving there, we swapped cobbles for a cable car as we drove to Mount Tahtali and embarked on the world’s second longest cable car rides.

There is a cafe at the summit but we opted to eat away from there. Our guide took us to a gorgeous family-run restaurant in the village of Ulupinar (meaning mighty waterfall). Set in a tree-filled valley, Selale Restaurant (www.selalerestoran.com) is home to lemon, orange and avocado trees, along with rivers filled with trout which are caught and served as fresh as fresh can be.

Another day, we ventured in to the nearby town of Kemer. There was a bus service outside the hotel but we opted to take a taxi and the driver waited for us for up to two hours until we were ready to return.

Until the 1980s, it was a fishing village but again it has been developed in a tasteful way, no high rise buildings. The main shopping street has water features running through it and heads to the small marina.

There are weekly markets and plenty of clothes, luggage and shoe shops, along with bakeries for those who enjoy a Turkish pastry or sweet treat. We enjoyed a beachside coffee, taking in the vistas of the sweeping bay.

Evenings were spent in the spacious bar area enjoying a drink as a pianist tinkled the ivories. Live entertainment, including singers and dance acts were also available to watch. The hotel has its own indoor heated pool, a sauna and hammam, a Turkish steam bath, outdoor tennis courts and two outdoor polls - one with slides for younger guests. Those late night owls were also offered suppers of burgers and chips - much to Finlay’s pleasure.

As we flew home, I reflected on my impressions of Turkey. Finlay said he was impressed by the cleanliness of everywhere and the friendliness and courtesy of the locals. As we sauntered past shops we were never badgered to go in or buy, not a moment of hassle.

Once in the shops, there’s plenty to choose from and my other son Joseph was treated to two very nice shirts for a fraction of the price they’d be at home.

Increasing numbers of UK and Irish tourists are now realising their hard-earned currency goes further in Turkey than the more traditional European resorts at peak times. The quality of our hotel for the price was excellent - one of the best I have stayed in. For that alone, it was worth the visit. It might have been our first visit to Turkey - but it won’t be our last.

TUI offers seven-night package holidays to Kemer in Antalya, Turkey, staying at the 5T Paloma Foresta on an all-inclusive basis. Prices start from £934pp based on two adults sharing a double room with balcony or terrace, with flights departing from Manchester on 24th June. Includes 20kg luggage per person and transfers.