Belek has over a dozen five-star golf resorts. That makes the question “why Cullinan?” a legitimate one. The short answer is that very few properties in the region manage to deliver championship golf, a genuine private beach, and an all-inclusive standard that doesn't feel like a compromise — all on the same site. Cullinan Belek does.

The longer answer involves a specific geographical fact: Cullinan Links Golf Club is the only course in Turkey with sea on one side and a river on the other. The Taurus Mountains form the backdrop. European Golf Design reshaped 36 holes around this landscape and added floodlighting to both back nines. The result is a course setup that is genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere in the region.

The resort takes its name from the Cullinan Diamond — the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, now part of the Crown Jewels of England. It is the kind of name that comes with expectations, and this guide is an attempt to give you an honest picture of where those expectations are met, where the experience genuinely surprises, and where a few nuances are worth knowing in advance.

The Golf: What You're Actually Getting

Cullinan Links offers two 18-hole layouts. Both were redesigned by European Golf Design and operate under the Aspendos and Olympos names — each a combination of original front and back nine sections reconfigured into distinct courses. The practical effect is that a week's stay gives you two meaningfully different rounds, not the same layout played twice.

The courses are shorter than some of Belek's more celebrated championship venues. That is worth stating plainly. Golfers seeking the most demanding test in the region — the kind of course that punishes every errant shot — may find more satisfaction at nearby alternatives like Carya or the PGA Sultan. What Cullinan offers instead is a course that rewards clever play, reads well on a first visit, and suits a broad range of handicap levels without feeling like it is simply forgiving everything.

The All-Inclusive Clubhouse

One of Cullinan Links' most distinctive features is the all-inclusive concept that extends into the clubhouse. Breakfast before the round, buggy bar service between holes, and lunch after are all included within the green fee. The clubhouse terrace looks across the course toward the Mediterranean, and it is the kind of place where the post-round hour stretches comfortably into two.

One thing to note: this all-inclusive clubhouse concept does not apply between 16 June and 31 August. Peak-summer visitors should factor this in. It is also worth knowing that a shared buggy is included, but single-occupancy use carries an additional charge of €40 per round.

The Resort: Facilities in Full

Cullinan Belek is a large property — over 600 rooms, 15 room types, 10 private villas, 13 pools, 12 restaurants and more than 14 bars and cafés. Scale like this can cut both ways. At its best, it means there is always somewhere to be, always a pool that is quieter than the others, always a restaurant you haven't tried. At its most stretched, a large resort requires a large operation, and guests occasionally notice the difference.

The honest picture here is that the vast majority of guests report the experience positively. The food quality across the buffet restaurants is consistently praised. The service is attentive. The rooms are well-appointed and thoughtfully designed around their views — whether that is the golf course, the pool, or the sea.

Rooms & Villas

The swim-up room categories are among the most in-demand, and for good reason — direct pool access from a terrace changes the pace of a morning considerably. The Lagoon Golf Swim-Up rooms look out over the course; the Lagoon Beach Swim-Up rooms sit near the shoreline. Both work well. The ten private villas offer a different proposition entirely: resort amenities with genuine privacy, better suited to larger groups or couples who want to step back from the main resort energy.

Dining

Twelve restaurants is a lot, and the variety holds up. The open buffet restaurants are the backbone of the all-inclusive offer and are broadly well-regarded for quality and range. À la carte options cover Turkish, Greek, seafood, Asian and international cuisine. The Beef Grill Club is the signature evening experience — consistently singled out in guest reviews. The Galapagos Beach Club keeps the afternoon moving with cocktails and lighter bites directly on the shore. A 24-hour bistro means a late arrival or an early start is never a problem.

One nuance worth noting: some à la carte restaurants carry a supplement charge even within the all-inclusive concept. It is not unusual in Belek's five-star category, but worth confirming at check-in so it does not come as a surprise.

Beach, Pools & Spa

The 800-metre Blue Flag beach is reachable on foot from the main buildings — no shuttle needed — and it is one of the resort's most tangible advantages over properties that front onto landscaped pool areas rather than the sea. The thirteen pools range from open-air Mediterranean-facing options to a heated indoor pool with separate children's sections, and adult-only zones that provide a quieter alternative during busy periods.

The C'espace Spa covers over 8,000 m² and offers hammam, sauna, steam room, a full treatment menu, and dedicated adult-only relaxation areas. For golfers using it as a recovery facility — which it is very well suited to — the combination of heat treatments and massage options is comprehensive. It is also, frankly, an excellent reason for non-golfing partners to consider Cullinan Belek over a more golf-focused, beach-lite alternative.

Who Is Cullinan Belek Right For?

This is a resort that does a lot of things well for a lot of different people. But some profiles fit it particularly naturally.

The Honest Verdict

Cullinan Belek is not for everyone, and it does not try to be. A golfer who wants to play six rounds across six different championship venues and spend the rest of the time in a quiet boutique hotel will find a better fit elsewhere in Belek. But for the large majority of golf travellers — couples, groups, families, long-stay visitors — it represents one of the strongest overall packages in the region.

The on-site golf is genuinely good, not a concession. The beach is real, not decorative. The all-inclusive standard is consistent enough that guests return. And the scale of the resort — which could feel overwhelming — actually works in the guest's favour: there is always something, and somewhere, that suits the mood.

Frequently Asked Questions