Some holidays are packed with things to do. Others are made for being. This one – at Sherwood Exclusive Kemer, tucked between the dramatic Taurus Mountains and the glittering curve of the Mediterranean – was about slow mornings, shared laughter, and the occasional swim-up debate about dinner reservations.
Travelling with my husband and another couple, we were after something simple on paper: sunshine, good food, plenty of space, and a bit of low-key luxury. What we found was a resort so perfectly paced, so artfully curated, that it gave us the kind of holiday we still find ourselves referencing with wistful sighs and WhatsApp flashbacks.
Setting the Scene: Coastal Calm with Pine on the Breeze
Sherwood Exclusive Kemer sits in Goynuk, just outside Antalya. You arrive to gentle architecture – no towering blocks here, just low-rise cream buildings hugged by pine trees and swaying bougainvillaea. The grounds are immaculate but not overly manicured, giving it the feel of a grown-up forest hideaway with a strong sense of direction: follow the paths downhill and eventually, you’ll hit the private beach, the sea, or a bar serving chilled rosé with your name on it.
The layout is generous but intuitive. It never once felt crowded. Even in a full resort, there’s always a lounger in the shade, a quiet corner, a hammock you hadn’t noticed before.
The Rooms: Swim-Up Diplomacy & Lagoon Living
My husband and I stayed in one of the Swim-Up Rooms (40–45 m²), and I say this with conviction: I am ruined for life. Waking up, making an espresso, and walking barefoot into a sparkling pool just outside your bedroom is one of life’s great pleasures. Inside, the room was elegant and unfussy – hardwood floors, a king-sized bed, rainfall shower, smart TV, capsule coffee machine, and the kind of lighting that makes unpacking a joy.
Our friends opted for a Lagoon Room, where the terrace steps down into a quieter shared pool – more relaxed, with garden views and just enough seclusion for post-nap lounging.
By day two, we’d perfected our routine: float over to each other’s terraces in the morning, argue playfully about dinner plans mid-afternoon, and gather at the pier bar for golden-hour cocktails before heading out to dinner.
Suites for the Future
While we didn’t stay in one this time, we peeked into a Family Suite on our last day – a 60–70 m² layout with two bathrooms, a separate lounge, and two balconies. Perfect for groups of four who want to share a roof without sharing a toothbrush holder. It’s on the list for next year.
Feasting: The Buffet, The Burrata, and The Waffle Ritual
Dining at Sherwood is refreshingly unfussy and consistently impressive. The main buffet is the kind of place where you go back for seconds even when you’re not hungry. From Turkish salads and slow-cooked lamb to made-to-order pasta, sushi rolls, grilled vegetables, and impossibly delicate pastries, it’s a revolving door of flavour.
But the à la carte restaurants are where Sherwood shows its flair.
At Mama Cocha, perched near the sea, we devoured a grilled octopus dish that became a sort of group legend. At Basilico, creamy burrata and truffle pasta brought audible murmurs of approval. Waribashi, the Asian concept, delivered sticky, spicy plates that paired suspiciously well with crisp white wine.
The pièce de résistance? The waffle station. Officially aimed at kids. Unofficially visited by four grown adults every single day without shame.
Pool Politics and Hammam Diplomacy
There are twelve pools, and we tried them all: splash pools, family zones, quiet corners, lagoon channels, and a stunning over-water pier pool bar. We’d meet mid-morning for a quick dip, scatter by noon, then reconvene in the spa, the bar, or (occasionally) a hammam session that left us so relaxed we nearly missed dinner.
The Elements Spa deserves a special mention – complete with a Turkish hammam, steam rooms, massage therapies, and lounging spaces where time genuinely seems to stop. After our scrub-and-steam session, we floated back to our rooms and agreed not to speak for an hour, lest we ruin the tranquillity.
Four People, One Perfect Flow
Travelling as a group can be a delicate dance. Too much togetherness, and you start longing for a locked door. Too little, and it feels like separate holidays. But Sherwood struck the perfect balance. The resort is built for socialising, but it also respects solitude.
There were plenty of shared moments – sunset drinks on the pier, beachside backgammon tournaments, chaotic group salsa attempts – and plenty of space to disappear for an afternoon with a book or sneak in a solo float.
We never felt orchestrated or programmed. Just… free.
Final Thoughts: Designed for Living Well
Sherwood Exclusive Kemer isn’t flashy. It’s not chasing trends or staging Instagram moments. Instead, it’s mastered something far more difficult: the art of balance.
The rooms are quiet sanctuaries. The food is varied and excellent. The design encourages both community and calm. And the service – genuine, warm, quietly efficient – is the final touch that makes everything feel seamless.
It’s the kind of place you return to. Not just physically, but mentally – when you’re back at your desk, or on the Tube, or stuck in a queue. You’ll remember the pine-scented breeze, the first dive of the morning, and the way time seemed to stretch itself out generously, like a linen napkin across a table set for friends.
Would we return? Absolutely. With the same crew, more sunscreen, and maybe – just maybe – a Family Suite and a plan to stay longer.
sherwoodhotels.com.tr/sherwood-exclusive-kemer
Cumhuriyet Mahallesi, Ahu Ünal Aysal Cad No:37, 07994 Kemer/Antalya, Türkiye
