Having been one of the pioneers of selling golf holidays to Turkey since 1998, I finally took the plunge and booked my own Autumnal Break to Belek and Lykia World over the half term week. We stayed at the fairly new Cornelia Diamond Resort for the first 4 nights and then 3 nights at Lykia World - also one of the new kids on the block. I was only allowed to take my sticks out a couple of times and I saved this for a round on the Faldo Course and a round on Lykia Links - two golf courses, which could not be more different in style and design. So what were my conclusions from this first Busman's Holiday in 2009?
Well Cornelia Diamond was every much as good as my clients and local agency Matrix had intimated, it had absolutely everything in terms of indoor and outdoor facilities, with a breathtaking structure and design concept.
This resort is awe inspiring, with 8 a la carte restaurants, the biggest Spa in Belek and incredible entertainment from the pianist in the lobby bar, to the nightly live bands down at the Dome Bar and the nightly shows in the outside amphi-theatre. The rooms at Diamond are idyllic and it has a cracking beach, with a jetty where one can sunbathe, or dive into the sea. What impressed us most was the speed of service - in the May- October period, the resort has 600 members of staff - a 1 - 2 ratio staff - clients.
A short buggy ride from the lobby of the hotel and you are at the Faldo Clubouse, one of the Med's very best golf complexes, 27 holes of dramatic golf holes across sand ridges and through deep pine forest, with a sprinkling of crystal lakes. I love this layout, but you have to be at the very top of your game to have a feel good factor. I vote hole 2 on the King's combination as the toughest par 5 I have ever played!
Lykia Links lived up to all my 3 years of anticipation, we arrived at the resort at midnight and were accommodated in the golf wing building, waking up at 06.30 we pulled back the blinds and were awe struck by the stunning view right across the links with the rising sun showing every contour across the links greens, hollows and dunes. I could not wait to get out and play. Perry Dye has excelled in his latest creation in Turkey - natural links, with pot bunkers with railway sleepers and wooden steps in each trap, true authenticity. Lovely sea view on every hole esecially the superb last 6 holes which turn for home and run close to the beach and towards the setting sun. As a member of Turnberry in Ayrshire and a real links enthusiast, I commented on the fact that Lykia was equally enjoyable and naturally scenic, but with one subtle difference - it was 83 degrees and not a breath of wind in mid October. Better than my hottest day on the links of Turnberry of any day I have had in 10 years of being a Member!
Cornelia Diamond and Lykia World are breathtaking hotels and very different in price during certain months, but Diamond wins as the most complete resort in the golf market in Turkey. Lykia has a unique isolated location, but is a very special golfing venue just 15 miles beyond Belek. You can now transfer from Belek by speed boat to Lykia Links - an amazing day out.
In the recent Golf World rankings the Faldo course is ranked 72 in Mainland Europe with Lykia Links as high as 63 - not bad considering it has only been open 1 year!
