Gloria Serenity Golf Resort Belek Turkey
We took a trip to the Gloria Serenity golf resort in Belek, Turkey and were well looked after by the wonderful team out there!
Earlier in 2014, our team took a trip out to the Gloria Serenity golf resort which is located in Belek, Turkey and features the largest golfing resort in this emerging golfing nation - with 45 immaculate holes across two championship courses and the exciting 9-hole Verde course. Re-designed by renowned golf architect Michel Gayon last year, the Gloria Golf Club provides a stern test for any golfer and is almost certain to provide a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable week of golf in a beautiful location, too.
The Old Course
The first course is appropriately named the Old Course and this stunning 6529m track is nestled amongst pine trees to provide a certain degree of exclusivity to the course. A par 72, the Old Course at Gloria provides a lovely setting for you to perfect your game and enjoy a relaxed round of golf in the warm Turkish sunshine - an experience which we believe everyone needs to enjoy at some point in their golfing careers!
The New Course
Our favourite of the three, the New Course was the site for the 2007 European Seniors Tour Classic and also hosted the World Amateur Team Championship in 2012. Recognised by many professional golfers worldwide, the New Course at Gloria is a par 72, 6523m track which tests your skill and accuracy but will definitely stick in the memory as one of the best courses which we have played.
The Verde Course (9-hole)
Billed as one of the top 9-hole courses in Europe, the Verde Course is a spectacular little run of holes which features no short of 28 bunkers and is just perfect for a short round of golf. A par 35, 2967m course with some really exceptional holes to play; we just wish the Verde Course at Gloria was on our doorstep every day of the week!
Practice Facilities
Included on the complex was a two tier driving range, various chipping and wedging areas and a putting green all to hone your short game; the practice facilities were really out of this world. Furthermore, we would like to give a special mention to David Clare, the director of golf at Gloria. A kind gentleman who could not have made our time at the Gloria Serenity golf resort any better!
The Hotel
The golf is not the only great thing about Gloria Resort, either. The Gloria Serenity hotel is beautifully decorated and well maintained with a real luxurious, designer feel to the rooms - whilst the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere is harmonious with the entire resort. The food we enjoyed was truly sublime; there were plenty of dining options with Asian, Agean, French, Seafood, Italian and Steak House to name but a few, alongside the fantastic offering of themed nights at the extensive buffet. This was true all-inclusive luxury and we were thankful for the daily exercise following the array of tasty food we consumed!
Indoor Pool & Spa
The indoor pool was a great way to relax late in the afternoon once the outdoor swimming area become too cool, even for us Scots! There were also various saunas and steam-rooms for the ultimate in relaxation following our round(s) of golf! This felt like a haven for unwinding and we visited every day, without fail.
Coffee & Cake
A bit of a favourite for the sweet-toothed Golfposer team was the patisserie which was available throughout the day. We even had our regular table here following the calorie balancing swims!
The Bar
All drinks at Gloria are branded and on the occasional day we went to the bar (well, make that every day!) we were offered various options and our favourite tipple had to be a Chivas Royale - a cocktail made from champagne and Chivas Whisky! We spent many a late night in the bar and often found our way into the purpose built nightclub, to work off those all inclusive calories!
The Staff
The staff and the people you meet on a trip abroad often elevate the experience to the next level, and the Gloria Serenity staff we encountered were all fantastic. A very special mention must go out to Yufuk, who more than looked after us at the bar. He was a great guy and was always on hand for any refreshment requests – a total credit to the hotel.
All in all, Turkey is quickly building a very credible reputation for providing some of the best golfing experiences and the Gloria Serenity golf resort is perhaps the most sparkling gemstone amongst the handful of resorts which are aiding the Turkish golfing revolution. We loved our time in Belek and we could not recommend the Gloria Serenity Resort highly enough!
