If you’re after a winter sun bargain, January is a great time to book a trip away. In fact, there are many deals to popular destinations like Antalya in Turkey, but what is it actually like in the winter? Are all the facilities open? And just how dependable is the weather?
Well, I booked a cheap 5 star All Inclusive trip to find out.
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My Winter Sun Trip to Antalya
In search of some luxury winter sun, I decided to treat myself to a 5 star All Inclusive stay a couple of weeks after Christmas. What surprised me was how many options there were, and how much of a saving they were compared to the summer. But was it for good reason?
The holiday
I found a 7-night stay at the 5 star premium All Inclusive AKKA Antedon in Antalya, Turkey through TravelSupermarket.
It was priced at £489pp which included Pegasus flights from London Stansted, and 7 nights in a Deluxe Double Room, which is the cheapest option at the hotel. The price is also based on 2 people travelling together.
The saving
Now, the same 7-night stay in August would set me back £1,729pp, meaning that I was saving 72% on the peak price by going in the winter months – a huge difference.
Why is January so much cheaper for holidays?
January is often one of the cheapest times to book a holiday thanks to a drop-off in demand after the festive period, alongside shorter days and cooler winter weather. Fewer people travelling means lower prices on flights and hotels – especially in destinations that are better known for summer sun.
What was my January holiday to Antalya, Turkey actually like?
Okay, let’s get into it. Here’s everything I experienced on my trip, and how I feel like it would compare to going at peak times.
Flights
I flew with Pegasus, which is a low-cost Turkish airline. Many of the summer package options also include flights with Pegasus, so there was no difference here compared to peak season.
Room
The prices quoted are for the Deluxe Room with Land View, both in January and August, so the room itself was exactly the same as it would be in the summer months. The only difference was that the heating was on rather than the air conditioning.
Swimming pools
The main outdoor pool was closed and out of use, which did look a little grubby and would make me think twice about booking a pool-view room in winter.
However, there was another large outdoor pool open next to the kids’ pool, and both were heated to a really comfortable temperature. There was also an indoor heated pool in the spa.
Aquapark
I wasn’t expecting the aquapark to be open in January, but it was running daily between 10am and 4pm. I’ve stayed at even fancier 5 star hotels in Antalya that close their aquaparks over winter, so this was really good to see.
- Cheap winter sun deals under £500 pp
Beach
There were loungers set out on the decking area in front of the beach, but the beach itself looked very different without the parasols and cabanas. On sunnier days, people did move loungers down to the sea, but there was no beach service and no option to book cabanas.
The sea was chilly but not freezing, although some very brave people were still swimming.
Water sports
The water sports centre was closed in January. In the summer, you’re able to book and pay for activities like jet skis, windsurfing and water skiing.
Gym
The gym was open as normal between 9am and 8pm every day.
Spa
The spa was open daily between 9am and 8pm and had a beautiful indoor pool, Jacuzzi, shallow pool and loungers. The main spa area was open too, with saunas, a hammam and a steam room, as well as a relaxation room used after treatments.
This was one of my favourite areas of the hotel. It had been newly refurbished and felt really luxurious. That said, on colder or rainy days the indoor pool did get busier with children, though when the sun came out it quietened down again.
Games room
There was a room where you could play board games, as well as a table tennis table. Other games rooms were closed and appeared to be undergoing improvement works.
Cinema
There was a cinema on site, but as the hotel attracts a lot of Russian and Turkish guests, the films weren’t really targeted at English speakers. One evening, however, they were showing football, which was a nice surprise.
Activities
In the summer, you can expect activities like water aerobics, beach volleyball and pool parties. I was really happy to see that the hotel also runs a winter activity schedule, which included things like fishing, hiking and cocktail-making. Some of the organised activities do need to be booked in advance.
Kids club
The kids club was open daily from 10am-12.30pm and 2-5.30pm, and it was honestly one of the most aesthetically pleasing kids clubs I’ve ever seen.
There was also a fantastic outdoor play area, and a separate kids’ buffet with child-friendly food options and baby food, which I thought was a really thoughtful touch.
Buffet restaurant
The main buffet restaurant is open year-round and serves a wide range of dishes including meat, fish, salads, vegetarian options, pizzas, breads, soups and desserts. It’s also where you go for breakfast each morning.
This felt similar to what you’d expect in summer, although some counters weren’t in use and the themed nights weren’t very obvious. That said, the food was generally well cooked and tasty.
Patisserie
The patisserie serves cakes and ice cream and was open daily between 11am and 4pm.
Snack bar
There was a small snack bar at the pool bar serving things like chips and burgers. The choice was limited, but it was handy if you didn’t want to head back inside for lunch.
À la carte restaurants
In peak season, the hotel has six à la carte restaurants offering different cuisines.
In winter, only the Pasha Restaurant is open, and it only runs if more than eight people book in advance. This is probably where you’ll feel the biggest difference between summer and winter, although it’s worth noting that there is a cover charge of €15 and up, per person, for the à la carte restaurants anyway; so some guests may not use them even in peak season.
Drinks
The main lobby bar was open throughout the day and was the main place to get drinks. This was also where the evening entertainment took place.
The pool bar was open between 10am and 6pm.
The hotel has a dedicated wine bar, Vinea Bar, which normally operates in peak season. Although it showed as open in the hotel app, it was closed during our stay due to refurbishment works.
Entertainment
The outdoor entertainment area wasn’t open, but there was live music in the main lobby bar every night.
Nightclub
The hotel’s Disco Bar was open every night, which genuinely surprised me for January. James even managed to get a Negroni from the bar, so it definitely didn’t feel like an afterthought.
Vibe
The hotel felt fairly busy for the first few days of our stay, largely due to Russian Christmas holidays falling later than ours. After that, it became noticeably quieter, which made the whole resort feel much calmer and more relaxed.
January can still feel lively, but you’re more likely to get a slower-paced, quieter stay.
- Winter sun deals under £1,000 pp
Weather
Temperatures during the week ranged between 12 and 19 degrees, with some days sunnier than others. There were a few spells of rain, but they were sporadic, and when the sunshine came out it was genuinely lovely.
It wasn’t sunbathing weather, but it was comfortable enough to sit outside, walk around the resort and enjoy being outdoors. It also felt far nicer than the winter weather back home.
You do need a bit of luck with the weather, but even on cooler days it still felt like a proper break from the UK.
So, was it cheaper for good reason?
Yes, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it.
Not everything is open in January, and you do need to accept cooler temperatures and a quieter resort. Some facilities, restaurants and bars are reduced compared to peak summer months, and you’re more reliant on the weather.
That said, if you’re happy to trade guaranteed heat and a full summer schedule for huge savings, this kind of off-peak holiday makes a lot of sense.
Who is this type of winter sun holiday best for?
A January holiday like this is ideal if you want to stay somewhere fancier than you’d normally afford, don’t mind cooler weather, and are more interested in relaxing, eating well and using the spa than packed entertainment schedules.
But, if you’re travelling with young children, want everything open, or chasing guaranteed poolside sun, you’re probably better off waiting until peak season.
So Is Winter Sun Worth It?
Ultimately it’s down to you, your budget, and the type of holiday, hotel and weather that you like, as to whether winter sun is worth it for you.
Personally I always love to stay at a 5 star hotel, especially when I can get a room for a bargain price. So a winter sun holiday is perfect for me to enjoy a dose of All Inclusive luxury for less.
