Home
OK, Tuncer. You claim I've been abusing you for SIX years - after being banned for threatening physical violence. Can you explain the following thread to me?! Taken from YOUR site.
Turkish Love Forum Home
> Travel
> Northern Cyprus..... more questions!
Add Reply New Topic New Poll
Forum Jump
General
The Cafe
Visa
My Story
Learn Turkish !
Army
Recipe Board
Travel
Grand Bazaar
Previous Topic Next Topic
Northern Cyprus..... more questions!
Author Comment
offlineSirin
Northern Cyprus..... more questions!
Lead [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
29-Apr-2009 21:58
Moderator
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
Remove this ad
After the thread about Northern Cyprus that got me interested in going there, I've been doing my research for a suitable hotel, and I think I've found one......
Although it's not in Kyrenia town, we're liking the look of Almond Holiday Village - http://www.almond-holidays.com/ which is in the village of Alsancak. Usually we choose somewhere very central, but this hotel looks like such a gem. It reminds me a lot of a hotel that we love in Side called Can Garden.
So.... anyone know anything about this area, or the hotel even? It has fantastic reviews, and a really good price (probably due to location). We'd hire a car and use the shuttle service / dolmus to get around.
Anyone know anything??
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #1 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
30-Apr-2009 06:04
Hi Jan,
The hotel looks really lovely! I'm sure I've been to Alsancak - the name definitely rings a bell - but I'll need to ask Ertie when he wakes up - I'm awful at remembering village names.
As I said before, the Ship Inn (very close to Kyrenia) and the Deniz Kizzi (with its own beach) are my two favourites, although the beach at the Acapulco takes some beating. But having seen the Almond Village, that looks lovely too. It reminds of a bigger version of the Ship Inn; that wasn't on the beach either, but we'd just drive down to the beach if we fancied a change. In fact, that's how we first discovered the Deniz Kizzi (non-residents can use their beach) and we ended up staying there.
To be honest I think if you're going to hire a car and explore it doesn't really matter where you stay. And the island is so small you're not far from anywhere; we drove from the north west coast down to Famagusta in about 1.5 hours!image
The hotel certainly looks lovely anyway.
Strawbs
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #2 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
30-Apr-2009 16:05
Hi Jan,
Just a quick update - I actually stayed in Alsancak myself! I knew the name seemed familiar......................anyway, the Deniz Kizzi is in Alsancak (according to Ertie) but I wouldn't really call that area a village - it's more of a very long road along the coast.
It isn't particularly busy; there's just a few restaurants/shops etc dotted along the highway every hundred yards or so. There's not much to do there - but the beach is lovely (and they have casinos everywhere where you can go and drink for free all night if you wish - and eat too) - the harbour is the place to go at night (and sometimes during the day) Restaurants in the actual harbour are pricier and not as good as the ones outside the harbour. The BEST restaurant is Niazzi's (eating inside is best in my opinion).
Also, there's lots of shops around there on the main street just away from the harbour, and they're well worth a visit (jewellery etc).
For a treat go on the horse and carrigae ride from the Colony Hotel - it will take you all around Girne and you'll definitely feel very princessy - they're all liveried horesemen and the carriage is all glossy and black.
I've a feeling the Almond Village must be close to the Deniz Kizzi, but set back more away from the coast.
Oh, don't forget to go to Bellapais! Views are lovely both night and day.
Strawbs
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineSirin #3 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
30-Apr-2009 19:52
Moderator
Thanks Strawbs - yes, we're definitely going to go to Bellapais. In fact, I want to see everything!
Am I right in thinking that Alsancak is a bit like Ovacik then? Quiet, not much there, but well located to get where you want to be??
Oz usually prefers to be staying right near the beach, but as long as we can hop on a dolmus or the shuttle service, I don't think it's going to be a problem. We spend enough time at the hotel that it's worth getting a nice one.
Do they drive on the left or the right of the road in Northern Cyprus? I know it's the right in the South - surely you don't swap over in the North? If it's the left, I'll be able to drive the hire car too (not sure if that's a good thing!!).
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineKasDolphin #4 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 1465
30-Apr-2009 21:34
Moderator
Northern Cyprus is on my wish list if my Onc will let me fly.
Hmm wonder where is best to stay for a lone female traveller?
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineSirin #5 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
30-Apr-2009 23:03
Moderator
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
Remove this ad
In the room next to us, Soo !!
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #6 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
1-May-2009 05:06
Hi Jan,
Yes, you could say that Alsancak is similar to Ovacik in that there's not really much there, and their isn't a centre as such. But on the plus side it is the coastal road. By the way, they do drive on the same side of the road as we drive in the UK. I thought we drove on the left though?image
We hired a car all the times we were there as besides wanting to explore we never once saw a dolmus! They must have them (or something similar) but we never ever saw any kind of public transport there at all; just taxis and private cars. One of the cars we hired from the Ship Inn was only £10 a day! It was a very basic car, but as we were only hiring it we didn't care. It was FANTASTIC on petrol - it just never went down! But the other cars we hired were in the region of £20/£25 a day. Personally, I think a car is essential out there, and it works out cheaper than taxis. Plus you can explore.
There's a lovely Greek village in north Cyprus (again, forgotten the name but will get it from Ertie) somewhere up a mountain road which is amazing but a bit spooky too. A Turkish couple told us about this place, and even recommended a particular restaurant to go and eat in. So next day we drove in the direction they told us to and went to look for Nick's Cafe (or whatever the name was). After a while we came to a Greek village with typical blue-painted shutters, Greek Orthodox Church, shops, cafes, a school - just like a typical village in Greece. It was about a mile square and we drove all around it - but there wasn't a soul there!image No-one. It was about lunchtime and then Ertie spotted a door of a cafe ajar (little net curtain fluttering in the breeze) and said: "Look! That's the cafe!" To me it looked deserted and I couldn't believe this was the one the couple recommended. When we looked inside all the tables had plastic tablecloths, serviettes, salt & pepper etc - but no-one was there! The only way to describe the whole village is if you can imagine,say, Hisaronu (although it wasn't remotely like that!) and suddenly - within seconds - EVERYONE left what they were doing and ran off. That's how this village looked: as though it had just been left. There was even washing hanging on lines. But not ONE person there! Anyway, we never did find that cafe, and when we saw the couple again and told them they said we must have taken a wrong turning (which sounds about right).
If Oz likes the beach the nearest one will be the Deniz Kizzi's. It's free to use, but you have to pay to park your car there. But if you park in the Deniz Kizzi's main car park (which is 10 yards from the paying car park) it's free. You just walk down a little hill surrounded by masses of flowers and then you come to the pretty little beach tucked into a bay - it's really lovely.
The public beaches are some way further out in either direction, so a car really is essential there I would say. Everyone we spoke to always started off just relaxing by the pool for a few days and taking taxis into the harbour (or hotel courtesy car/bus) but they always ended up hiring a car.
I'm sure you'll like it there - it's much more laid-back than Turkey. And there's no hassle either.image
Strawbs
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineSirin #7 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
1-May-2009 09:55
Moderator
Strawbs
It all sounds lovely - thanks for the tip about the beach / parking. I'm not a daytime drinker, and as they drive on the left like us (what did I say before? lol), I won't mind driving. Or it might be cheaper to just get a taxi, if we're not going far some days.
The ghost village sounds interesting. We went to Kayakoy, hoping to see something similar. In my head, I somehow thought that it would be like you said - looking as though everyone had just left. But in reality, although the church was pretty, other than that it was just like looking at a lot of empty shells. Did you go to Famagusta at all?
It's looking about 90% certain that this is the hotel we'll book. I think one of things that impressed me is the list of facilities..... free safety deposit boxes, free internet access, free aircon....... you don't get anything for free in Turkey these days!!
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #8 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
1-May-2009 16:21
Hi Jan,
Yes we went to Famagusta. It doesn't take long in the car - a motorway takes you straight through more or less. Famagusta town was very tatty and decrepit in parts, but quite trendyish and modern in others. We came across a few roads which were blocked off with wire fences (with very heavy warning signs) so you couldn't/wouldn't go over the border. There was an air of sadness about the place, and we saw some once grand hotels just standing there deserted and crumbling.
The beach in Famagusta Bay, Salamis, is absolutely beautiful. It's very wide, long and sandy - and as the sea is so shallow it's the palest of blues. Someone told me (although it could be one of those typical rumours) that film companies often use it for modelling shoots and adverts etc....and I can well believe it. I think (but not sure) that you can see the Aya Napia coast from there - that's what I worked it out to be. We had the whole beach to ourselvelves (but this was in October/November time) and I'd say it's probably the best beach on the island. It's just a shame that the border is there and no-one goes there anymore, but amazingly enough we saw a couple of property complexes being built around the area (although who would actually consider buying in N.Cyprus is anyone's guess)
I know what you mean about Kayakoyimage I think they just call it Ghost Village to get people there so they buy a couple of scarves or wooden spoons from that little stall at the end of the road.image
The deserted village in Cyprus was totally different to that. And it was actually spooky - even though it was daytime and hot sunshine!image You couldn't drag me up there at night!image I'll ask Ertie later what the name it was - all I remember is we drove about 5 miles west of the Ship Inn and then drove up a mountain road for about another 2 miles until we stumbled upon it. I bet Soo would know where it is.
I think you'll really enjoy it there. Although it's obviously Turkish it has a slight British feel to it too - with a touch of Greek. And in Kyrenia Harbour it has a Venetian feel to it. It's all very different to anywhere else.
Strawbs
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineSirin Update #9 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
7-May-2009 21:04
Moderator
A little update - I rang for some prices for the Almond Village, and they're booked up until August image.
I think I've looked at so many hotels now that I'm confusing myself. You mentioned the Acapulco, and this is on the list. The Ship does look nice, but I think we're going to opt for somewhere outside Kyrenia, as Oz likes a big pool. Acapulco has that, as well as overlooking the sea.
Riverside Villas and Top Set are also on the list, but it's hard to decipher the good from the bad from the photos and reviews. A lot of the reviews (of various hotels) mention tired decor, but to be honest, I can live with that as I've often found that the decor in Turkey is not exactly boutique chic! I don't even notice it any more. I think the main thing for me in a room is that it's fairly quiet - so bungalows and studio villas are good for me.
I can't remember which location was which any more, but I know that one of those accommodations was not far from Escape beach, which looks nice - though we'll probably hire a car anyway.
Haven't seen any hotels offering All Inclusive - which is good, actually as I think that it ruins local restaurants. I just hope the drink prices are reasonable. Some reviews have said £3 for a bottle of water image. Hopefull, the good thing to come out of the credit crunch will be realistic pricing....
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #10 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
8-May-2009 09:14
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
Remove this ad
ALL of the hotels (holiday ones) are just outside Kyrenia. Kyrenia isn't a beach resort as such.
The Acapulco is very nice. Beautiful wide sandy beach, good food, nice gardens (main hotel rooms are better than bungalows - they're dark and people complained about them) It has a big swimming pool (all the locals go there on a Sunday so it gets quite noisy) and the drinks are free in the hotel casino. Its only downside was that some of the reception staff were very rude - and I think someone else said the same on some review. Either Holidaytruths or TripAdvisor - can't remember which. Oh, and you need to check your bill. The entertainment is very low key, which some people like. Horses for courses really.
I don't know where you read that someone paid £3 for a bottle of wtaer, but we've never paid that. We've holidayed in N.Cyprus 4 times now, and we really do explore, and we've never paid that much. It's much cheaper there than it is in Turkey! The drinks by the harbour are dearer than elsewhere, but you expect to pay more because of its location. We only ate by the harbour a couple of times - the food isn't as good there as, say, Niazzi's for example (which is FANTASTIC - and cheap) and of course it's more expensive too (but it's still not DEAR!)
The Deniz Kizzi Hotel has a huge swimming pool too, and was always very quiet when we were there (just us and two other couples) - except for Sunday's (local invasion) but that never bothered me. The staff there told us the pool was usually quiet all year round as most people went on to its private beach instead - very very pretty in a secluded bay. Evening meals are not as good as the Acapulco's, but they will drive you for free to Niazzi's (and collect you and bring you back) so you could, if you wanted, get a free lift into Kyrenia every night I suppose. There's also a REALLY good local restaurant just outside the entrance to the Deniz Kizzi - lovely food and very cheap.
Why don't you book a week in each? We've done that before - not through choice but due to availability.
Strawbs
Turkish Love Forum Home
> Travel
> Northern Cyprus..... more questions!
Add Reply New Topic New Poll
Forum Jump
General
The Cafe
Visa
My Story
Learn Turkish !
Army
Recipe Board
Travel
Grand Bazaar
Previous Topic Next Topic
Northern Cyprus..... more questions!
Author Comment
offlineSirin
Northern Cyprus..... more questions!
Lead [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
29-Apr-2009 21:58
Moderator
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
Remove this ad
After the thread about Northern Cyprus that got me interested in going there, I've been doing my research for a suitable hotel, and I think I've found one......
Although it's not in Kyrenia town, we're liking the look of Almond Holiday Village - http://www.almond-holidays.com/ which is in the village of Alsancak. Usually we choose somewhere very central, but this hotel looks like such a gem. It reminds me a lot of a hotel that we love in Side called Can Garden.
So.... anyone know anything about this area, or the hotel even? It has fantastic reviews, and a really good price (probably due to location). We'd hire a car and use the shuttle service / dolmus to get around.
Anyone know anything??
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #1 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
30-Apr-2009 06:04
Hi Jan,
The hotel looks really lovely! I'm sure I've been to Alsancak - the name definitely rings a bell - but I'll need to ask Ertie when he wakes up - I'm awful at remembering village names.
As I said before, the Ship Inn (very close to Kyrenia) and the Deniz Kizzi (with its own beach) are my two favourites, although the beach at the Acapulco takes some beating. But having seen the Almond Village, that looks lovely too. It reminds of a bigger version of the Ship Inn; that wasn't on the beach either, but we'd just drive down to the beach if we fancied a change. In fact, that's how we first discovered the Deniz Kizzi (non-residents can use their beach) and we ended up staying there.
To be honest I think if you're going to hire a car and explore it doesn't really matter where you stay. And the island is so small you're not far from anywhere; we drove from the north west coast down to Famagusta in about 1.5 hours!image
The hotel certainly looks lovely anyway.
Strawbs
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #2 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
30-Apr-2009 16:05
Hi Jan,
Just a quick update - I actually stayed in Alsancak myself! I knew the name seemed familiar......................anyway, the Deniz Kizzi is in Alsancak (according to Ertie) but I wouldn't really call that area a village - it's more of a very long road along the coast.
It isn't particularly busy; there's just a few restaurants/shops etc dotted along the highway every hundred yards or so. There's not much to do there - but the beach is lovely (and they have casinos everywhere where you can go and drink for free all night if you wish - and eat too) - the harbour is the place to go at night (and sometimes during the day) Restaurants in the actual harbour are pricier and not as good as the ones outside the harbour. The BEST restaurant is Niazzi's (eating inside is best in my opinion).
Also, there's lots of shops around there on the main street just away from the harbour, and they're well worth a visit (jewellery etc).
For a treat go on the horse and carrigae ride from the Colony Hotel - it will take you all around Girne and you'll definitely feel very princessy - they're all liveried horesemen and the carriage is all glossy and black.
I've a feeling the Almond Village must be close to the Deniz Kizzi, but set back more away from the coast.
Oh, don't forget to go to Bellapais! Views are lovely both night and day.
Strawbs
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineSirin #3 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
30-Apr-2009 19:52
Moderator
Thanks Strawbs - yes, we're definitely going to go to Bellapais. In fact, I want to see everything!
Am I right in thinking that Alsancak is a bit like Ovacik then? Quiet, not much there, but well located to get where you want to be??
Oz usually prefers to be staying right near the beach, but as long as we can hop on a dolmus or the shuttle service, I don't think it's going to be a problem. We spend enough time at the hotel that it's worth getting a nice one.
Do they drive on the left or the right of the road in Northern Cyprus? I know it's the right in the South - surely you don't swap over in the North? If it's the left, I'll be able to drive the hire car too (not sure if that's a good thing!!).
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineKasDolphin #4 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 1465
30-Apr-2009 21:34
Moderator
Northern Cyprus is on my wish list if my Onc will let me fly.
Hmm wonder where is best to stay for a lone female traveller?
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineSirin #5 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
30-Apr-2009 23:03
Moderator
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
Remove this ad
In the room next to us, Soo !!
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #6 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
1-May-2009 05:06
Hi Jan,
Yes, you could say that Alsancak is similar to Ovacik in that there's not really much there, and their isn't a centre as such. But on the plus side it is the coastal road. By the way, they do drive on the same side of the road as we drive in the UK. I thought we drove on the left though?image
We hired a car all the times we were there as besides wanting to explore we never once saw a dolmus! They must have them (or something similar) but we never ever saw any kind of public transport there at all; just taxis and private cars. One of the cars we hired from the Ship Inn was only £10 a day! It was a very basic car, but as we were only hiring it we didn't care. It was FANTASTIC on petrol - it just never went down! But the other cars we hired were in the region of £20/£25 a day. Personally, I think a car is essential out there, and it works out cheaper than taxis. Plus you can explore.
There's a lovely Greek village in north Cyprus (again, forgotten the name but will get it from Ertie) somewhere up a mountain road which is amazing but a bit spooky too. A Turkish couple told us about this place, and even recommended a particular restaurant to go and eat in. So next day we drove in the direction they told us to and went to look for Nick's Cafe (or whatever the name was). After a while we came to a Greek village with typical blue-painted shutters, Greek Orthodox Church, shops, cafes, a school - just like a typical village in Greece. It was about a mile square and we drove all around it - but there wasn't a soul there!image No-one. It was about lunchtime and then Ertie spotted a door of a cafe ajar (little net curtain fluttering in the breeze) and said: "Look! That's the cafe!" To me it looked deserted and I couldn't believe this was the one the couple recommended. When we looked inside all the tables had plastic tablecloths, serviettes, salt & pepper etc - but no-one was there! The only way to describe the whole village is if you can imagine,say, Hisaronu (although it wasn't remotely like that!) and suddenly - within seconds - EVERYONE left what they were doing and ran off. That's how this village looked: as though it had just been left. There was even washing hanging on lines. But not ONE person there! Anyway, we never did find that cafe, and when we saw the couple again and told them they said we must have taken a wrong turning (which sounds about right).
If Oz likes the beach the nearest one will be the Deniz Kizzi's. It's free to use, but you have to pay to park your car there. But if you park in the Deniz Kizzi's main car park (which is 10 yards from the paying car park) it's free. You just walk down a little hill surrounded by masses of flowers and then you come to the pretty little beach tucked into a bay - it's really lovely.
The public beaches are some way further out in either direction, so a car really is essential there I would say. Everyone we spoke to always started off just relaxing by the pool for a few days and taking taxis into the harbour (or hotel courtesy car/bus) but they always ended up hiring a car.
I'm sure you'll like it there - it's much more laid-back than Turkey. And there's no hassle either.image
Strawbs
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineSirin #7 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
1-May-2009 09:55
Moderator
Strawbs
It all sounds lovely - thanks for the tip about the beach / parking. I'm not a daytime drinker, and as they drive on the left like us (what did I say before? lol), I won't mind driving. Or it might be cheaper to just get a taxi, if we're not going far some days.
The ghost village sounds interesting. We went to Kayakoy, hoping to see something similar. In my head, I somehow thought that it would be like you said - looking as though everyone had just left. But in reality, although the church was pretty, other than that it was just like looking at a lot of empty shells. Did you go to Famagusta at all?
It's looking about 90% certain that this is the hotel we'll book. I think one of things that impressed me is the list of facilities..... free safety deposit boxes, free internet access, free aircon....... you don't get anything for free in Turkey these days!!
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #8 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
1-May-2009 16:21
Hi Jan,
Yes we went to Famagusta. It doesn't take long in the car - a motorway takes you straight through more or less. Famagusta town was very tatty and decrepit in parts, but quite trendyish and modern in others. We came across a few roads which were blocked off with wire fences (with very heavy warning signs) so you couldn't/wouldn't go over the border. There was an air of sadness about the place, and we saw some once grand hotels just standing there deserted and crumbling.
The beach in Famagusta Bay, Salamis, is absolutely beautiful. It's very wide, long and sandy - and as the sea is so shallow it's the palest of blues. Someone told me (although it could be one of those typical rumours) that film companies often use it for modelling shoots and adverts etc....and I can well believe it. I think (but not sure) that you can see the Aya Napia coast from there - that's what I worked it out to be. We had the whole beach to ourselvelves (but this was in October/November time) and I'd say it's probably the best beach on the island. It's just a shame that the border is there and no-one goes there anymore, but amazingly enough we saw a couple of property complexes being built around the area (although who would actually consider buying in N.Cyprus is anyone's guess)
I know what you mean about Kayakoyimage I think they just call it Ghost Village to get people there so they buy a couple of scarves or wooden spoons from that little stall at the end of the road.image
The deserted village in Cyprus was totally different to that. And it was actually spooky - even though it was daytime and hot sunshine!image You couldn't drag me up there at night!image I'll ask Ertie later what the name it was - all I remember is we drove about 5 miles west of the Ship Inn and then drove up a mountain road for about another 2 miles until we stumbled upon it. I bet Soo would know where it is.
I think you'll really enjoy it there. Although it's obviously Turkish it has a slight British feel to it too - with a touch of Greek. And in Kyrenia Harbour it has a Venetian feel to it. It's all very different to anywhere else.
Strawbs
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlineSirin Update #9 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 4417
7-May-2009 21:04
Moderator
A little update - I rang for some prices for the Almond Village, and they're booked up until August image.
I think I've looked at so many hotels now that I'm confusing myself. You mentioned the Acapulco, and this is on the list. The Ship does look nice, but I think we're going to opt for somewhere outside Kyrenia, as Oz likes a big pool. Acapulco has that, as well as overlooking the sea.
Riverside Villas and Top Set are also on the list, but it's hard to decipher the good from the bad from the photos and reviews. A lot of the reviews (of various hotels) mention tired decor, but to be honest, I can live with that as I've often found that the decor in Turkey is not exactly boutique chic! I don't even notice it any more. I think the main thing for me in a room is that it's fairly quiet - so bungalows and studio villas are good for me.
I can't remember which location was which any more, but I know that one of those accommodations was not far from Escape beach, which looks nice - though we'll probably hire a car anyway.
Haven't seen any hotels offering All Inclusive - which is good, actually as I think that it ruins local restaurants. I just hope the drink prices are reasonable. Some reviews have said £3 for a bottle of water image. Hopefull, the good thing to come out of the credit crunch will be realistic pricing....
Interact
My Recent Posts
Reply Quote
offlinestrawberryxxx #10 [url] [-]
avatar
Posts: 696
8-May-2009 09:14
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
Remove this ad
ALL of the hotels (holiday ones) are just outside Kyrenia. Kyrenia isn't a beach resort as such.
The Acapulco is very nice. Beautiful wide sandy beach, good food, nice gardens (main hotel rooms are better than bungalows - they're dark and people complained about them) It has a big swimming pool (all the locals go there on a Sunday so it gets quite noisy) and the drinks are free in the hotel casino. Its only downside was that some of the reception staff were very rude - and I think someone else said the same on some review. Either Holidaytruths or TripAdvisor - can't remember which. Oh, and you need to check your bill. The entertainment is very low key, which some people like. Horses for courses really.
I don't know where you read that someone paid £3 for a bottle of wtaer, but we've never paid that. We've holidayed in N.Cyprus 4 times now, and we really do explore, and we've never paid that much. It's much cheaper there than it is in Turkey! The drinks by the harbour are dearer than elsewhere, but you expect to pay more because of its location. We only ate by the harbour a couple of times - the food isn't as good there as, say, Niazzi's for example (which is FANTASTIC - and cheap) and of course it's more expensive too (but it's still not DEAR!)
The Deniz Kizzi Hotel has a huge swimming pool too, and was always very quiet when we were there (just us and two other couples) - except for Sunday's (local invasion) but that never bothered me. The staff there told us the pool was usually quiet all year round as most people went on to its private beach instead - very very pretty in a secluded bay. Evening meals are not as good as the Acapulco's, but they will drive you for free to Niazzi's (and collect you and bring you back) so you could, if you wanted, get a free lift into Kyrenia every night I suppose. There's also a REALLY good local restaurant just outside the entrance to the Deniz Kizzi - lovely food and very cheap.
Why don't you book a week in each? We've done that before - not through choice but due to availability.
Strawbs
Last edited by Admin on Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:26 pm; edited 1 time in total
