Holiday in the Turkish side

[Peatsie]

We are also considering visiting the north and have been waiting to see what advice you are given but nothing so far.
Peatsie.

[PhotoLady]

It's a long time since we stayed in the north and then we only stayed for a couple of days so we used the British Hotel down on Kyrenia harbour.

If you're looking for a longer stay I have friends and colleagues who have stayed at the Merit Crystal Cove Hotel a few times and really enjoyed it.

A lot of the bigger hotels are a little out of the resort but if you're taking a car through with you then that shouldn't really be an issue but remember you will need to purchase insurance when you reach the crossing point.

Other hotels I'm aware of which friends have stayed at are the Pia Bella, Oscar Resort and the Ship Inn but if you want a decent sized hotel in Kyrenia close to the harbour or the town, then the Dome (on the seafront) or the Arkin Colony (town - 5 minutes walk to the harbour) are probably best placed.

You could have a peep at TripAdvisor and check up to date reviews but you do tend to have to read between the lines with TripAdvisor as the reviews can come from anywhere, including the hotel staff/friends: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/SmartDeal ... Deals.html

I prefer to look at reviews from Booking.com or Expedia for each individual hotel as their reviews are collected directly from travellers who booked through their websites and can be confirmed to have actually stayed there.

The Turkish Lira went to £1 = 8.72 TRY early last week but it's starting to settle a bit now and is currently at 78.12 TRY to the UK pound.

[Aargent]

I would not be surprised if the Hotels wanted to be paid in Euro or GB Pounds, which is what most of the booking sites use, and if so the savings will not be that great. Eating out and drinks out will be a bargain though.

[Mike.1940]

Photolady are you sure about the rate of the £ verses the TRL. it looks as if it has gone up on your figures. are you putting the decimal point in the wrong place. it shows an increase about 70 TRL to the £ if so what a bargain

[TLR]

We normally use Kyrenia as a base when we visit the North, the Pia Bella, but I have heard reports that since they have expanded the casino business perhaps not. We had Lunch at the Kyrenia Palace Boutique hotel on our last trip and it is stunning...and only a very short walk to the harbour....a bit pricey I suppose...but it is very nice, we had a look around the rooms...the British hotel is popular and well situated as is the Dome..but again I think the Dome is also a casino....price wise I found it more or less comparable with the south but since the exchange rate "crash" that may have changed...One thing it is not and that is Cypriot...it is Turkish....and the difference has always struck me.

If you keep away from Girne/Kyrenia and the resort areas you will find it is still Cypriot, as the people will be proud to tell you.
In fact in some ways even more so, and the food and scenery are better.

[Mike J]

Just back from " Up North " , we always stay at The Hideaway which is just outside Kyrenia and taxi in (25-30 lira) nice bungalow hotel with great sea views. Have stayed at The Dome ( super swimming pools tired rooms ) the British Hotel ( no pool v tired rooms) and others. Money changers are giving 7 lira to the pound ( today's bank rate 7.81 lira to the pound) . Clothes shops are now v cheap with lots of counterfeit branded clothes as well as cheap handbags and cheap good quality phoney watches but remember to haggle as they will always discount further. Medicines are under half price compared to here and all the pharmacies are full of Greek Cypriots buying their tablets etc.
Supermarket shopping is very cheap compared to here for most stuff and they even sell the old light bulbs ( remember those) which cost pennies to buy unlike the ones we have to use here. Nice to have a well lit house and as they blow in a power surge you just shrug and replace them. A full meze at Niazi's in Kyrenia is 70 lira and fantastic ( they started in Limassol in 1949 ). a 500ml bottle of Efes beer on the harbour front is 15 lira though they will often discontinued that or add a plate of chips etc but away from the harbour 9 or 10 lira with most bars also doing happy hours with further discounts. . A bottle of wine in a restaurant is 30-50 lira for some good turkish wine. During the day we drive out to various beaches some that are privately run and other more deserted with just a taverna on the beach. There are also amazing Crusader castles perched on hill tops to explore. Just remember there is zero tolerance for drink driving and your Greek Cypriot car number plate is like a magnet to police, but taxis are very cheap and very available but like here no metres so establish the price before you get in.

[Mike J]

I always e mail them
thehideawayclub@gmail.com
Guzin looks after the reservations normally , we book B&B but they will do half board if you don't fancy going into town in the evenings . The breakfasts are good and served either on your balcony or at the roof top restaurant.
Cheers Mike

[tyelaw47]

We have been to the Hideaway several times and it was always fine with excellent breakfasts and,in my opinion, a great location however it must be 6-7 years since we last went hence my reluctance to recommend after such a long time. They always used to give a discount if you had visited previously.

[kansas]

We go to the North twice a year and stay at the Almond Village for 5 nights, and always meet lots of ex-pats from the South who do the same. Some visitors have been going there for over 25 years, both from the South and the UK. Excellent family run hotel, beautiful grounds but you have to book early, or as we do, a year in advance. It's in Alsansak so not within walking distance to the harbour. We stayed at The British Hotel several years ago. Great position right on the harbour but a bit grubby. We've also stayed at The Ship which is good value for money and not too far from the centre. A bit of a hike but doable. As for Kyrenia itself we've been disappointed on the last few occasions we've visited - again, a bit grubby and needs a facelift. Alsansak and Lapta are nice areas with decent restaurants and a new walkway along the coast.

[tyelaw47]

Of course it is not just Kyrenia. Famagusta is very interesting,Salamis,Bogas and onward to the Pan Handle - most beautiful part of the Island. Some of the hotels on that side though are rather basic so best to listen to recommendations on where to stay. Do remember also that the Turkish people have circumcision parties for their little boys from about the age of 7 I believe.Much is made of this and these parties,often at week ends, can often take over the Hotel!!