I enjoy researching hotels to the nth degree to find the best option for our group - would hate to book 2 weeks and be wishing I was elsewhere
The Cornelia Diamond was on my shortlist for a future family holiday and as I was in the area I arranged a tour
This review is based on research and a 1 hour visit - so I cannot comment on sleep quality and entertainment but hopefully some of my observations will help you decide if this is the right hotel for you
Guest Relations replied helpfully and promptly and Kadir spoke excellent English as he showed us seaview standard rooms (5666) interconnecting family suites (5164), duplex pool family suites (7101) with direct access to pool ( internal stairs very steep ) and the Diamond suite (5095)
A map is provided with room key and the hotel offers an orientation tour at 16.00 every day - call GR on 7666
All rooms are well decorated, spacious, immaculately clean, bathrooms well equipped with toiletries, tub and separate shower
Minibar and Tea Coffee facilities in rooms
Free Safe
Do not disturb/make up room lights
Room service is charged at 10 euros per order - no limit to items
Free wifi plus additional cable internet in rooms for 15 euros per day per person
The main buffet on the 4th floor has an enclosed terrace with either pool/sea views or mountains - no outside area
I was impressed with lunchtime options and the heated tureens displayed temperatures
Yellow Lodge section for ages 12+ Breakfast & Dinner
We also got to visit the Dome snack bar which had hot food and extensive salad counter and ample seating under shade
12.00-16.00
Afternoon Tea 16.30-18.00
A la cartes are open daily and charged at 10€ per person
Diamond Main Buffet Restaurant
07.00-10.00 Breakfast
10.00-11.00 Late Breakfast
12.30-14.30 Lunch
19.00-21.30 Dinner
23.30-00.30 Night Buffet
A la carte restaurants
Bookable day before between 19.00-20.30 by pressing a la carte button on room phone
Sapore - Mediterranean
Tai Pen - Far East
Fish
Sumach - Turkish
Forest Pub - Latin & North American - no children under 7 years
Bars
Dome Bar 09.00-24.00
Shine Bar - Lobby 10.00-23.45
La Boheme - Lobby 16.00 - 24.00
Beach Bar 10.00-18.00
Moulen Rose - Lobby 24 hours
Roll Club - bowling hall - 16.00-23.45
Purple Rain night club 23.30-02.00
Cue Club - Pool Hall 16.00-23.45
Biscotti - Patisserie 10.00-18.00
Crassula Spa 09.00-19.45
Spa area is 5000sqm over 2 floors 09.00-20.00
Ground floor is free of charge - saunas, steam, haman, jacuzzi,pool & vitamin bar
Upstairs are 20 therapy suites with charge
Fitness Centre 07.00-19.00
Pilates, beach volley,Boccia, air rifle, water polo, darts, aqua-gym, archery, yoga, football
Mini disco 21.00
Mini Fun Fair 10.00-12.30 and 14.30-17.00
Train too
Photo of activities attached to review
Amphitheatre on a fortnightly Rota starting with Monday - week 1 - 21.45
Chairs in amphitheatre - no sitting on hard steps
Vizyo Acrobats/Mr Cornelia/ Michael Jackson show/Diamond Illusion/Mongolian Circus/Mi Party Dance/Harem Sultan Dance/BBI extreme/Colombian Salsa Dance/Miss Cornelia/Diamond Illusion/ A Puro Tango Latino Dance/Cirquba Acrobatic/Hurrem Sultan Dance
Dome bar has nightly DJ/Live Music 22.30
There are a lot of pools, some with waterfall features - accessed from main building through gardens and over a bridge - in reality there was more green space than I had expected from the site photographs seen, it is a large complex and I think one of our group with mobility issues will find it too far to walk
At midday there were still ample sun beds available
Lifeguard on duty 10.00-18.00
Built in 2008 it is not the newest hotel in resort but has built a reputation for quality and customer service with many repeat guests
Staff we encountered were smiley and helpful and the only thing that has stopped us selecting this hotel is that the dark decor style is not to our personal taste with us preferring light and airy style
However, I can see the red and black Lobby appealing to some and will feel cosy and inviting at night
Nearby Belek has a Saturday market
I will be attaching 50 photos over the next few days and for those not already aware there is a Belek Travel Forum on Trip Advisor full of top tips to get the best out of your holiday