I saved 72% by going on an all-inclusive holiday in January – was it worth it?

The holiday

I found a seven-night holiday at the five-star premium all-inclusive AKKA Antedon in Antalya, Turkey for £489 per person in January. This price was based on two people travelling and included flights from London Stansted and seven nights in a Deluxe Double Room (the cheapest option).

The same holiday would cost £1,729 per person in August, representing a 72% saving – that’s a huge £1,240 per person difference.

The weather

Temperatures ranged between 12C and 19C while I was there, with some days sunnier than others and sporadic rain. 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 at home. You do need a bit of luck with the weather when travelling in January but, even on cooler days, it still felt like a proper break from the UK.

The hotel: What was open – and what wasn’t?

Pools, beach and water activities

The main outdoor pool was closed and out of use. It also looked a little grubby which would make me think twice about booking a pool-view room in winter. However, another large outdoor pool remained open next to the kids' pool, with both heated to a comfortable temperature. There was also an indoor heated pool in the spa.

The aquapark opened daily between 10am and 4pm, too. I've stayed at even fancier five-star hotels in Antalya that close their aquaparks over winter, so this was really good to see.

Loungers were set out on the decking in front of the beach, but the beach itself looked very different without 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, with some brave guests still swimming.

The water sports centre was closed. In summer, I would’ve been able to book activities such as jet skis, windsurfing and water skiing.

Spa and gym

The gym was open daily between 9am and 8pm. The spa also operated full hours and was one of my favourite areas of the hotel. It had a beautiful indoor pool, jacuzzi, shallow pool and loungers, plus saunas, a hammam, steam room and relaxation area. It had been newly refurbished and felt really luxurious. However, on colder or rainy days the indoor pool did get busier with children.

Family-friendly features

The kids’ club operated daily between 10am and 12:30pm and 2pm and 5:30pm and 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.

Food and drink

The main buffet restaurant operates year-round, serving a wide range of dishes including meat, fish, salads, vegetarian options, pizzas, breads, soups and desserts. It felt similar to what you'd expect in summer, although some counters weren't in use and the themed nights weren't very obvious. Overall, the food was generally well cooked and tasty.

The patisserie served cakes and ice cream daily between 11am and 4pm, while a small snack bar at the pool offered items like chips and burgers between 10am and 6pm. The choice was limited, but it was handy if you didn't want to head back inside for lunch.

The biggest difference was the à la carte restaurants. While the hotel has six in peak season, only the Pasha Restaurant opens in winter – and only if more than eight people book in advance. Although it's worth noting that there is a cover charge of between €15 and higher prices per person for the à la carte restaurants anyway, so some guests may not use them even in peak season.

The main lobby bar was open throughout the day and was the main place to get drinks. The pool bar operated between 10am and 6pm. The hotel's Vinea wine bar was closed due to refurbishment works.

Entertainment

There was a games room with board games and table tennis, though other games rooms were closed for improvement works. The cinema was on site, but as the hotel attracts Russian and Turkish guests, films weren't targeted at English speakers – though one evening showed football.

The hotel runs a winter activity schedule, which I was happy to see, including fishing, hiking and cocktail making, with some activities needing advance booking. In the summer, you can expect activities like water aerobics, beach volleyball and pool parties, too.

The outdoor entertainment area wasn't open, but there was live music in the main lobby bar every night and the hotel's disco bar was open which surprised me for January.

How busy was it?

The hotel felt fairly busy during the first few days, largely due to Russian Christmas holidays falling later than those in the UK. After that, it became noticeably quieter. While January can still feel lively, you're more likely to get a slower-paced, quieter stay.

The final verdict – was it worth it?

This holiday was cheaper for good reason. Not everything was open in January, temperatures were cooler than in summer and the weather was more temperamental. But, if you're happy to trade guaranteed heat for huge savings, and you want to stay somewhere fancier than you could normally afford, this type of off-peak holiday makes a lot of sense.

If you’re more interested in relaxing and using the spa than a packed entertainment schedule, and you want to stretch your budget further, this might suit you.

But if you're travelling with young children and want everything to be open, or you're chasing guaranteed poolside sun, you're probably better off waiting until later in the year.