Guest Tips

Make an explicit request for a non-smoking room on one of the upper floors. Smoking is very much a part of Northern Cypriot culture and in older hotels such as this, smoke finds its way into fabrics. A high floor will remove you from the noise at street level-and supposed exhaust fumes-while unlocking what should be considered the hotel's best asset: panoramic views! The north-facing rooms have views over the Pentadaktylos mountains while south-facing rooms look out towards city walls and beyond to "the divide".

On matters of money and logistics, the currency in the North is Turkish Lira (TRY), though Euros and Pounds are widely accepted in bigger establishments. Most probably, the casino will operate a dual-currency system or USD. There are banks and ATMs just outside the hotel if you need cash. The electrical outlets are British style (Type G) so bring an adapter if you’re coming from mainland Europe or Turkey.

And finally, temper your expectations of the whole “Casino Hotel” dynamic. If you’re not a gambler, then yes, the lobby sometimes feels transient with people coming and going for nothing but the gaming tables. Elevators get slow as all hell during peak evening hours in the casino. Skip the hotel buffet if you want a quiet dinner and walk 15 minutes to Büyük Han. Eating traditional Cypriot food in the courtyard of a 16th-century caravanserai is a magical experience that far outshines-in fact overwhelms-the hotel’s standard international catering.