We found Kyrenia to be an interesting place but, had we not been as fit as we were, the parts that we enjoyed so much would not have been so accessible to us. St Hilairion and Buffavento Castles were great places to visit just for the views they offered of the surrounding countryside and the photographic opportunities,but the paths and steps to the mountain tops require their users to be in good health and not too afraid of heights. There are plenty of coach trips and boat trips available and we travelled by taxi to several places at what seemed to be reasonable prices.

The resort was passable. Litter strewn as most places are these days but they tried. A lot of casinos, every hotel seemed to have one, but not much else apart from bars and restaurants. Some good beaches nearby.

You really need a car to get about as public transport doesn't exsist, lots of nice places to eat in and around the harbour area but not too much else to do.

sorry but you would never get back to Northern Cyprus again which sadly I had always wanted to visit but ended up very disappointed with.

The resort on the face of it was very clean, but like in all other countries,once you went away from the main bits, it was as normal.The beaches which I visted were all well kept & the sea was clean & warm.Most had eating facilities nearby. Entertainment was good,with concerts,pub quizzes, music, if you wanted, but most enjoyable was the friendliness of the people and their willingness to help,with whatever you needed.I liked the laid back attitude. Plenty of good sightseeing in the vicinity.

The resort is Girne (Kyrenia) Tere are some scruffy areas and some areas which are kept scrupulously clean. Entgertainment is not bad but as we do not use much except for the restaurants which vary from the not very good to the superb. THere is no free brach in the resort but outside the resort especially to the east there are loads of excellent beaches.
There are a great many good tailors in the area, in my opinion the best is Uncle Dave (look for Rupert Bear in the window). They do good suits and jackets at very good prices and speak excellent english.
The weekly market is great for fresh food. The fish is fresh caught. Try the palamute (like a mackerel but bigger).
We have been going for 10 years and are going again - they must be doing something right.

Riverside Holiday Village enjoys a countryside setting about 30 minutes walk from the beach.In that sense Riverside is the resort. Located in Alsancak, we found this ideal for the activities we enjoy. There is good walking in the hills nearby and with the use of a hire car from Riverside, we were able to get out and about to visit the Crusader castls, Famagusta and Nicosia under our own steam. We have booked again in spring 2008 to see the wonderful display of spring flowers and orchids we have read so much about.

There is no Hotel beach access … there is a rocky cove about 300m walk behind and to the right of the hotel (Dive School has their jetty there) … but not for the less than able bodied, and it is a climb over rocks to get out of the water.

Water though is clean & deep …. but what could be a nice area … is marred by being used as a tip by locals, rubbish & empty beer bottles & broken glass everywhere.

Assume this is a piece of land owned by a Greek … so not built on and not looked after ……. The dive school could do more to make it better, they use it every day. (see later)

There is another Hotel behind the Semapti (Sandy Beach) that does have a beach (or created one, and you can pay to go there – sunbeds, umbrellas etc. It seemed empty … so assume it does not do well for guests.

Where to eat … if you want to walk there are only 3 within walking distance …. (that we found), used 2 of them … from Hotel, walk up to main road and opposite if Flippers (minimarket etc) … to left of that is a rough track … walk up this track (no lights at night) … and about 250m up the track there is a Taverna on the left … “ Asmali” good Meze …. Seemed to be bringing out dishes for ever, main menu is limited, but certainly what was there was good and very cheap …. It’s very much plastic chairs, and simple tables … but welcome was good as was food.

The other nearby … at main road turn left … about 50m on left ‘Sveltos’ (sp ?) … simple, good food, again good welcome & great service …… very cheap. About 20 Le per head.

By taxi or Dolmus ….
‘Veni Vichi’ …. Truly superb Italian, about half way between Semapti & Kyrenia. The wild mushroom in Stilton Sauce was sublime. You are paying more … but still only about 40Le a head including drinks.

‘Oleander’ … same area as above … my wife loved the atmosphere there, live music, eating outside amongst the trees … a massive menu, about 50% of it is Indian with the other 50% covering all of Europe … so loads of choice.

‘Saint Tropez’ … outstanding steak house, on the left about 2/3 of way to Kyrenia, this is air conditioned, lined table cloth, up market … tremendous welcome & service. Superb steaks (as well as plenty of other choices) ……. About 45Le per head.

In Kyrenia itself there are loads of places to eat, many on the waterfront by the castle … of course prices are higher than out of town.

We did not wander much more than that …. Because you would need a car, and you can’t hire less than 3 days at a time … and didn’t want o spend 3 days driving in 40 degree heat !
So can’t tell you much about other areas, only to say … you probably really do need a car the hotel is VERY remote, especially if you were there for 2 weeks – or you would become very bored.

The average clientele who use this Hotel are repeat guests one group had been there 8 times, the problem is most are coffin dodgers, the majority of guests are, or close to retirement. They have their regular chairs, regular sunbeds, staff even deliver them their pool towels by hand each morning.

Not really a hotel for families or those of younger outlook. Certainly nothing put on for kids in way of facilities or entertainment.

Now the reason we were there – Scuba Diving … attached to the Hotel is a PADI Dive Centre (Turtle Bay Divers) Diving, run by a husband wife pair of Scots, Caroline & Drew - who made you feel welcome, and were genuinely helpful .. not only on diving but answering questions on where to go, where to eat – that the Hotel were useless.

One of their relatives was there .. Roberta who was full of life, very pleasant, and great source of information.

My plan was to do 4 or 5 days of diving here (before going to South of Cyprus for some wreck diving) … however after the first couple of dives I reduced this to just 4 dives instead of 10.

All dives are via the centres 6m rib … and there is a walk across fields kitted up, and a pretty steep clamber down rocks to get to the jetty … they have helped by pouring some concrete over the rocks as a walkway and added some wooden steps … but still steep.
Although the setup is great for introduction diving and courses, the actual dives were not that good … and after day one when I did Zephyros Reef and in the afternoon Pete’s Reef …. The next day, was the same again.

To be fair I asked about something else and we did an early morning dive on another site … the reefs are rather drab, and there is not a huge amount of sea life (typical of Cyprus) … I know that they do see turtles, but not on my 4 dives. (they may do others at other times, but I did not want to repeat the same dives).

If you want to do a PADI course then it would be great, but dive sites are not brilliant.

The biggest gripe that we had about the hotel … as did several other guests, was regarding the totally disorganized reception staff … ask them a question usual answer was that they did not know, and if you asked for something it became hard work.

The bill is also frustrating, they just give you a figure … when you ask how for it to be broken down, into accommodation, food, etc. … they can’t do that … just shrug shoulders and say can’t be done.

If you ask for a printed copy so you can check it … can’t be done, or it needs the manager … who is never there when you ask a question.

Several guests found they were being charged for breakfast, when they had already paid B&B rate … when they can’t (or won’t ) explain bill it’s not easy to check.

I don’t think it’s deliberate, just pathetic organization … letting the Hotel down.

In conclusion …. Good rooms, good pool, good value, good PADI dive centre … just too far from any life, and more suited to older guests.

If we go to N. Cyprus again we would stay somewhere closer in towards Kyrenia.

This resort and hotel have a high standard of cleanliness,and any problems that arise are swiftly dealt with.Beaches in this area are limited and pay as you go,however they are clean and unspoilt,similar comments can be applied to the lovely kyrenia harbour only 15 mins from this hotel.While your here please visit ST.Helarion castle,and the bellapais abbey at night for a meal in the Kybele restaurant it is superb.

I have to say, that following many visits to north Cyprus, The cleanliness of local area is falling. I think this is due to the laege number of developments taking place. However, leave the town and you will find unspoilt locations and beautiful beaches.