Hi Nina
I'm very pleased it is of some help, thanks for your kind comments.
I'm sure you'll all have a great time, there's a thread here,
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=134593&p=1368217#p1368217 which covers quite alot of questions you may have.
We found it to feel very safe and our 12 and 9 year old often went off around the hotel, after telling us where they would be. The kids clubs will advertise what activities are running and usually take them to the Aqua Park at the front of the hotel in the afternoon.
We stayed on the 10th and had a lovely view overlooking the pool and beach (on the Sherwood Breezes side of the hotel) - I did email the hotel beforehand so don't know if this helped or not. In fact we had booked to rooms for 3 but were upgraded, free of charge, to a suit with round jaccuzi bath!! Bear in mind that lower floors will not see past trees, etc. However, floors I think, 4-7, have balconies with railings that you can see through whereas 1-3 and 8-10 have solid ones so you can only see the view when standing up.
I believe there was market one day a week but didn't go I'm afraid. The hotel runs a courtesy bus, with charge, but the rep says it's cheaper to flag down a dolmus and then you can be flexible at what time you want to return.
There's more shops than I expected in Lara Beach, but it's certainly not a pretty resort and no pavement cafes or the like although enough souverniers should you wish. Most people though go for the luxury of the hotels and rarely leave them, and of course the daytime heat makes it extremely uncomfortable to walk around, especially for the kids. We did mean to go into Antalya, but alasnever made it this time.
Have a great time!