WHEN you choose to slip a descriptive adjective into a name, you’d better make sure everything lives up to the billing.
The late, great MARVELOUS Marvin Hagler fought his corner as undisputed middleweight boxing champion.
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Footballer BRIGHT Osayi-Samuel justified his name to star under Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce in Turkey.
So when we headed for the Sherwood EXCLUSIVE Kemer on Turkey’s Mediterranean, we had high hopes.
Fortunately, it did produce the X-Factor and completely live up to its lavish title.
The trip to the Sherwood Exclusive Kemer began with a direct flight from Glasgow to Antalya before an hour-long transfer from the airport.
We’d stayed in the town of Kemer in the past but this was definitely a step up in class.
Located right on the beach in Goynuk — just outside Kemer — it had everything for a relaxing break for couples or families.
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The difference from the rest? What marked it down as truly Exclusive?
Well, the design and layout of the gorgeous hotel is the first thing that struck my wife Fiona and I. It’s not some high-rise city hotel with balconies in the clouds.
The Sherwood Exclusive has an airy reception and lobby bar to greet you on arrival. Rooms are located in three-storey buildings dotted around luscious, green grounds.
Our accommodation was on the ground-floor, a swim-up room with plush sun loungers just outside the patio doors and a short step into the very inviting pool.
The pools are located all around the grounds, and are all equipped with pool bars for residents. The main pool is close to the hotel’s seafront boardwalk and served by a huge pool bar.
Espresso Martinis were the afternoon cocktail of choice here. Only once the sun was over the yardarm, you understand.
The beach — 500 metres of sand and pebble for hotel residents only — is just a short walk away sitting in the shadow of the imposing Taurus Mountains.
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No interruptions, no one trying to flog you anything. Just you, your book and maybe a cocktail or two.
Comfy sun loungers line the Sherwood Exclusive’s private beach and, of course, all are served by a beach bar.
For the really adventurous, you can stride out to the hotel’s own pier and — again — it has a bar over the water for those catching the rays.
The weather was much better than we’d expected in late April. It was in the low 20s with just one spot of rain in the middle of our week-long stay.
But having holidayed in the area in high summer in years gone by — both Kemer and Lara Beach — you’re virtually guaranteed dawn to dusk blistering sunshine during June, July, August and September.
Fiona’s day would begin at 9am with yoga. Mine began with yoghurt. Normally accompanied by fresh fruit and granola.
Plus a little something from the hot buffet. Well, the friendly staff in the kitchen worked so hard that I didn’t want to disappoint them.
And here’s another aspect of the place which backed up their EXCLUSIVE name.
This was the BEST buffet we’ve experienced on our travels to Turkey. A huge selection, fresh fruit and salads, different and varied main course options and delicious sweet treats.
But perhaps most importantly for Fiona — a Gluten-free diner — there were loads of options and everything was well marked with that crucial ‘GF’ seal of approval.
Buffet aside, there are four a la carte restaurants to satisfy every taste.
The Waribashi Far East restaurant offers an Asian flavour, while the Mama Cocha caters for seafood lovers.
But when in Kemer, we just had to try the Turquoise restaurant which offered local flavours from Turkish starter platters through delicious kebabs to the pastry, nut and honey sensation known as baklava.
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We also dined at the Basilico Italian restaurant during our stay. The Chicken Parmigiana is to be recommended!
And, once again, the Exclusive tag came to prominence at the Basilico when the chef specially cooked the Parmigiana to his own GF recipe for Fiona.
With the belt feeling tighter by the day, it seemed sensible to attempt some athletic pursuit during our Turkish travels.
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Yes, the on-site waterpark and splash park were great. And, in the interests of this feature, I felt compelled to have a go.
Let’s just say those flumes were a little too racy for a 53-year-old with a bad back and a diminishing sense of adventure . . .
Another bottle of Efes from the all-inclusive bar was required to calm my nerves. Medicinal purposes only, of course.
All the kids around the hotel seemed to love the flumes, though, and the presence of ANOTHER eatery right next to the waterparks (serving delicious pizza, burgers and snacks) meant they never had to stray far from the excitement.
Aside from the watery delights, there was everything available from tennis, aerobics, water-skiing, basketball, water aerobics and even darts.
The airy gym is also equipped with everything you need. But the pace of our break seemed far more suited to the Amon Spa, with its hammam and beauty treatments.
Pack off your kids for face painting or other pursuits while you relax and get some well- deserved pampering.
GO: TURKEY
GO: SHERWOOD EXCLUSIVE KEMER
GETTING/STAYING THERE: A week all-inclusive at the 5H Sherwood Exclusive Kemer is from £1,289pp leaving Glasgow on July 7 See loveholidays.com.
MORE INFO: For all you need to know about the hotel and bookings see sherwoodhotels.com.tr.
If retail therapy is your thing, though, you could either stroll into Goynuk’s little shopping centre or head into Kemer. The bus stops right outside the Sherwood Exclusive and costs just £2 each way.
While many head to Antalya for new hair or teeth (no, I didn’t), there are also plenty who love the Turkish shopping scene for, er, ‘designer gear’.
We were sent with a shopping list by our daughter, Katie. And, of course, everything we brought her back was authentic.
But back to the real authentic and EXCLUSIVE element of this holiday.
It’s always the little touches which make your break special. Like wandering into the shade to the hotel’s all-inclusive coffee shop, ice cream parlour or waffle house.
Like the little calls from guest relations to make sure everything is to your liking.
Like the beachfront towel huts where you can grab the fluffiest, thickest towels for your spot on the pier.
The Sherwood Exclusive was established just 11 years ago but already it’s a jewel in the heart of Goynuk.
With 492 rooms spread across its vast grounds, it offers a perfect holiday experience amid nature and stunning sea views.
Just eating outside in the month of April was a special treat.
It was marvellous, it was magnificent. You could even say it was EXCLUSIVE.
