We don't go AI, prefer half board as we like to go out in the evening for drinks.
Try the Barut Hotels - Hemera and Arum (I stay at the Arum HB - absolutely love it, been twice, returning in July and can't wait). Melas and Sunrise Queen also are meant to be good. These four hotels are next to each other, about 30mins walk from main resort, but lots of shops/bars/restaurants outside.
Apparently the Kentia Apartments has a
very commom problem with overbooking, so might want to be careful. However, people that have managed to stay there have had good reviews from what I remember.
There are lots of bigger hotels out towards Kumkoy, Colalki and Mannavgat - these are mainly advertised as Side. However, some can be up to 10km out. Don't trust googlemaps either to get locations -half the hotels are either in the sea, or in the middle of a field!
For bars and restuarants, avoid Yusefs (we all got ill after 1 drink there, and my daughters sprite was definitely NOT sprite), and Golden Fizz (very agressive to people who don't come in (and other bar owners/workers), and have read many reports of drinks being spiked).
This really is a lovely, wonderful resort. We have NEVER returned somewhere for 3 years in a row until we had been here. Wihs we were there now, hopefully flight prices get reduced so we have a chance of returning in october.