Recently, we had the pleasure of travelling to Belek, Türkiye, with Corendon Airlines and Gloria Hotels & Resorts to experience the grand finale of the wonderful Race to Belek golf tournament. Combining world-class golf, exceptional hospitality and ultimate luxury, the trip was a memorable experience from beginning to end.

Whether you are planning a family holiday, a romantic getaway or a dedicated golfing break, Belek has something to offer every type for everyone. With the right combination of luxury accommodation and activities, it is easy to see why this corner of Türkiye continues to attract visitors from across the world.

A Seamless Journey with Corendon Airlines

Our journey began at London Stansted, where we boarded a Corendon Airlines flight bound for Antalya. With direct flights connecting London Stansted and Antalya, getting to the heart of Türkiye’s golfing capital has never been so easy!

We had the pleasure of experiencing Corendon’s premium travel offering, which added an extra layer of comfort, luxury and convenience to our holiday. From the airport experience to the onboard service, the journey felt well organised, allowing us to settle into holiday mode quickly.

The aircraft was clean and comfortable, with spacious seating that made the journey enjoyable. The cabin crew were attentive, welcoming and helpful throughout the flight, ensuring our needs were fully looked after. A warm onboard meal, accompanied by drinks and snacks, was a particularly welcome touch.

For us, the real luxury of a holiday begins long before checking into a hotel. It is about removing the unnecessary stresses of travel and making the journey itself part of the experience. Corendon helped set exactly that tone, allowing us to arrive in Antalya feeling relaxed and ready to make the most of our time in Belek.

The Race to Belek: Where Competitive Golf Meets an Unforgettable Experience

Upon arrival in Antalya, we were greeted by the Kaden Group, who ensured our transfer to the resort was seamless. Having the logistics taken care of made a real difference, particularly when travelling for an event with a busy schedule and with extra luggage like golf clubs.

Kaden Group specialises in golf holidays, bringing together an experienced team with an eye for what top golf holidays look like. From the practicalities of organising travel and accommodation to creating memorable golfing experiences, having knowledgeable people coordinating the trip for you makes all the difference.

The highlight of the trip was following and being part of the Race to Belek tournament final. Designed to bring golfers together through competition at their home clubs, the tournament offers successful players the opportunity to progress to a spectacular finale in Belek.

For qualifying club winners, the reward is far more than just a trophy. The finale brings competitors together for a week centred around golf, travel and the opportunity to experience one of Türkiye’s leading golfing destinations. With flights, a stay in Belek and tournament merchandise forming part of the prize package, it is an exciting incentive for golfers looking to take their game beyond their local course.

What makes the concept particularly appealing is its accessibility to club golfers. Rather than being exclusively aimed at professionals, it creates an opportunity for enthusiastic club players to compete and connect with others who share their passion.

With the next edition expected in 2027, golfers should keep an eye on announcements from Kaden Group and check with their own clubs for participation details. For anyone who loves golf and fancies combining competition with a luxury escape, it is certainly one to get stuck into.

Gloria Hotels & Resorts: A Destination in Its Own Right

Our stay introduced us to the world of Gloria Hotels & Resorts, an established name in Belek’s luxury hospitality scene. What makes the resort offering particularly appealing is its variety.

The Gloria resort includes Gloria Serenity Resort, Gloria Golf Resort and Gloria Verde Resort, alongside Gloria Sports Arena, a dedicated high-performance sporting complex. Together, they offer something for everyone, a combination of luxury accommodation, leisure facilities and sporting experiences that makes the destination particularly attractive to both holidaymakers and athletes.

Gloria Golf Resort

For those looking for a livelier, activity-filled escape, Gloria Golf Resort offers an extensive choice of facilities. It is particularly well suited to families and golfers who want to combine time on the course with everything else a resort holiday has to offer.

From swimming pools and family entertainment to sports, dining and access to the beach, there is plenty to keep guests occupied throughout their stay. The resort’s varied facilities mean that golfers can enjoy time on the fairways while other members of the family relax, swim or take part in activities.

Dining That Elevates the All-Inclusive Experience

One of the most important aspects of a luxury resort that can make or break a stay is the food.

Across the Gloria collection, the dining offering ranges from generous buffet restaurants to à la carte experiences, alongside bars and more relaxed options for drinks and snacks.

During our stay, we were particularly impressed by the quality and extent of food available. The buffet offered an extensive selection, with dishes prepared to a high standard and plenty of choice to suit different tastes. It was the sort of dining experience that makes an all-inclusive holiday feel genuinely enjoyable, rather than just convenient.

There is also an impressive choice of restaurants for those who prefer something different from the main restaurant. At Gloria Serenity Resort, guests can explore a range of cuisines, including Japanese specialities at Aka, steak at Fuego, Turkish dishes at Kül and French cuisine at Le Jardin au Printemps.

The drinks offering adds another dimension, with a variety of bars providing opportunities to enjoy a cocktail, a glass of wine or a refreshing drink throughout the day and into the evening.

For us, good resort dining is about more than the number of restaurants available. It is the combination of quality, choice and atmosphere that makes each meal feel like part of the holiday, and Gloria offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy just that.

Rooms Designed for Comfort

After a full day of activities, comfortable accommodation is essential. Our room offered generous space, a comfortable bed, a large television, a well-appointed bathroom and a balcony that provided an additional area in which to unwind.

The overall feel was clean and inviting, with ambient lighting helping create a relaxing atmosphere in the evenings. It was easy to settle in, unpack and feel at home for the duration of our stay.

Golf at the Heart of Belek

Of course, no trip centred around the Race to Belek would be complete without spending time on the golf course.
As part of the Race to Belek, I experienced two of the outstanding championship golf courses. The Old Course and the New Course.

The Old Course

The Old Course is beautifully framed by towering pine trees, with their distinctive, broccoli-like canopies creating a striking view along the fairways, but it also demands a high level of accuracy and thoughtful course management.

Positioning off the tee is particularly important, with the broccoli ready to punish anything wayward. It’s a course that rewards precision rather than simply relying on distance, making it an enjoyable and challenging test for golfers of all abilities.

The New Course

The New Course offers a completely different feel, with water playing a much more prominent role throughout the layout. Featuring four lakes, it provides a visually impressive and challenging golfing experience.

Two holes in particular make this course truly memorable. The signature 17th is modelled on the iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, bringing that famous island-green style challenge to Belek. It’s a fantastic feature and undoubtedly one of the standout holes on the course.

The 18th provides an equally impressive finish, with the fairway and green beautifully framed by the surrounding lake. It’s the kind of finishing hole that stays with you long after you’ve put the clubs away.

Immaculate Conditions & Outstanding Facilities

One of the biggest highlights of playing both courses was the standard of presentation. Both were in immaculate condition, from the fairways and greens to the overall maintenance of the course.

Away from the golf itself, the resort’s clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant and driving range deserve a mention. They all offer an excellent experience, with a welcoming atmosphere, impressive facilities and everything you would expect from a five-star golf destination.

More Than Just a Golf Holiday

Although golf was the focus of our visit, one of the biggest takeaways was the versatility of the destination.
For couples, the appeal lies in the opportunity to enjoy a luxurious hotel, spend time by the pool or beach, and explore the restaurants and scenery together.

For families, the wider Gloria collection offers a range of facilities and activities designed to keep different age groups entertained. Choosing the right property allows families to tailor the experience to their needs, whether that means a quieter luxury escape or a more active resort holiday.

For sports enthusiasts, the combination of golf and fitness facilities really makes this the idyllic destination. And for those travelling as part of a group, there is plenty of scope to create a holiday that balances shared experiences with individual interests.

Our Verdict

Our trip to Belek was nothing short of wonderful!

From the welcoming service on our Corendon Airlines flight to the seamless airport transfer arranged by Kaden Group, the practical details were taken care of, allowing us to concentrate on enjoying the experience. The Race to Belek tournament added an exciting sporting element, while our time within the Gloria Hotels & Resorts collection demonstrated just how much variety the destination has to offer.

We would happily recommend exploring what Gloria Hotels & Resorts has to offer and flying with Corendon Airlines. And for anyone planning a dedicated golfing escape, working with a specialist such as Kaden Group is a great way to bring the different elements of the trip together.

The best holidays are those that make everything feel effortless.

W: Corendon Airlines
Facebook and insta: @Corendonairlines

W: Gloria Hotels & Resorts
Facebook: @GloriaHotelsAndResorts

W: The Kaden Group
Facebook and Instagram: @thekadengroup

Written by Josh and Phoebe for Luxuria Lifestyle International