The Classic Hotel, Nicosia

Advantages: Antiquity, architecture, atmosphere
Disadvantages: Cut in two

...The Saray Hotel is rather unprepossessing from the outside. Clad in a dingy grey on which its name is emblazoned in orangey-red lettering, it might have looked trendy when it was built around 1960, but not since. Just eight storeys high, it doesn't even seem very tall. Still, we had been told that it was the place from which to obtain the best view of Nicosia (or Lefkoşa, as the Turks prefer to call it), so we paid our YTL4 (£1.50) each to go up to the rooftop terrace. Since this fee also entitles you to a drink at the bar, it's not bad value. And the view lived up to its billing, which perhaps only emphasises how few tall buildings there are on the northern, Turkish side of the city. On the Greek Cypriot side, quite a few were visible, if mostly located some way out from the centre. The Turks claim that the Greeks... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Central, cheap and friendly
Disadvantages: No outside pool

...I stay in this hotel every couple of months and I stay here rather than the expensiveand snooty Hilton chain because it is friendly, personal and right in the heart of the action. In 5 minutes you can take a spa bath in the re-vamped Hamman, walk accross to the Turkish side or grab a Frappe on Makarios Avenue checking out the wannabees. For local restaurants try Agaen next Farmagusta gate and Chrystalanotissa or the pasta restaurant halfway down Ledras street. Steer away from the Laiki Yaetonia tuourist area of Nicosia although quaint the restaurants apalling. For Bars try New Division for Rock/student atmosphere, Zoo or Toy for full on cool or Platos for chill out pub style atmosphere. Stay in room 420 for the best view of the old town and mountains.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Interesting green line, healthy nightlife, many good restaurants
Disadvantages: Not for beach worshippers, or soldier haters

...Last summer I went to Cyprus to visit some family for the first time. I am half Cypriot, but have been brought up by my English mother and English stepfather in a fully English family since the age of 2. I went to Nicosia to more fully explore the capital of the country that my father came from. There are two sides to Nicosia. The old town is at the centre, and is fully pedestrianised. Here is where the bulk of the night life is to be found. There is a wide selection of pleasant restaurants tucked away in little alleys, in addition to a number of bars and nightclubs. Further out from the center, the town becomes mouch more modern in style. The "coolest" area is near the Kiss FM radio station, around which a selection of bars and fashionable clothes shops provide the habitat for the young upwardly mobile, fashionable local... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful