Palm Beach Hotel Review - 3 of 41 Reviews

We chose the Palm Beach Hotel because it was next to the deserted border ghost district of Varosha, a place that has fascinated me for years. Before 1974, this was THE place to stay in Cyprus, but now its deserted and a military only zone. The Palm Beach lies just outside the area, so its got both a fab beach and easy access to old Famagusta too. You can walk up to the wire fence and look into the deserted streets. Don't let the soldiers see you take photos, though - better to get a zoom lens and do it from your hotel balcony...

The hotel itself is a bit of a time warp too, with dated decor and peeling paint, although we were told there would be a major refurb happening in the winter. Our room was clean but in a shabby state, with a bathroom that needed gutting rather than refurbishing. Everything worked, including the air con, much to our surprise. The staff too seemed in need of an overhaul and new batteries - they were unbelieveably slow!

Breakfast was OK, and with so many great restaurants and bars around, we didn't bother to eat lunch or dinner or drink in the hotel anyway. Drinks were expensive, and 'outside-purchased' drinks are banned, but lots of people were bringing in water because of the heat and the hotel bar prices. bottled water is an absolute must on the beach - it gets really hot even with a sunshade.

Old Famagusta is amazing, and its so atmospheric. We crossed the border into south Cyprus a couple of times just to do it, and spent one night down at the clubs in Aiya Napa, which is overrated and overpoliced.

Liked — near Varosha, easy to walk to old Famagusta
Disliked — drinks prices, shabby room

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