Abbey Inn Bellapais

Hi, Have just booked Abbey Inn Bellapais for 7 nights. Has anyone stayed here and can anyone recommend good restaurants in area or should we go down to Kyrenia.Many thanks Amanda

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Hi

Stayed at the Abbey Inn in Aug 2005, so a few years ago. For us it was perfect, small place, quiet, nice pool small bar...we were on bed and breakfast and it was good. They also did evening meals but not many takers. The Inn is right next door to the Abbey in the centre of the village, only 30 yards from the Tree of Idleness...lovely to sit out in the early evening when it was quiet. Bellapais village had a fair number of places to eat - the Kybele in the Abbey is very romantic but a little more expensive (Book a table with a view!), the Bella Moon was nice....to be honest we never had a bad meal in any of them.and then Kyrenia is only a short drive/taxi ride away.

Overall Bellapais is a lovely village, Abbey Inn a good place to stay - enjoy!

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Thanks Posh,

Sounds great to me. We are looking for somewhere to be very idle and relaxed. Thank you for answering my query

Amanda

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Can anyone tell me more about the Abbey Inn Hotel and what kind of people stay there. I have never stayed in a Boutique Hotel before and am a little worried that it might be a bit snobbish. Also I understand it is very small but wonder just how small the rooms are. Any information much appreciated.

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Hi,

We stayed in Abbey in in middle of July. Had a great holiday and an extremely relaxing quiet time. The rooms are decent size with reasonable bathrooms. Air conditioning is brilliant and very necessary. It was very very hot.We stayed in room 7 or 8 which had small balcony with steps leading down to the pool. The pool is lovely with a small bar. There was a problem with the amount of sun loungers (only 4) but this was drawn to managers attention and the Direct Travel rep. It was not a problem for us as there was only 1 other couple staying. It is all very easy going and relaxed. Staff pleasant, though, sometimes poor English. Def. not snobby or pretentious. We only went to Kyrenia twice and travelled down in Taxi. from village square. Village is very small but there are a good few restaurants to chose from. Also, there is a small grocery shop which sells water cigs. etc.

Hope you have a great time

Amanda

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Thank you for replying Amanda. We are trying to decide where to stay for a visit in the middle of October. I quite like to look of the Hideaway but the big advantage of the Abbey is being able to walk to restaurants which seems to be hard to find outside of Kyrenia.

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Just returned 4/9/09 from Bellapais - styaed in a villa. As we had stayed at The Abbey Inn a few years ago we checked it out again. Still as nice. Right next to the Abbey and village centre. Bellapais has around 7 taverna%26#39;s/restaurants plus the small hotels also have their own restaurants - plenty of choice and all within walking distance from Abbey Inn. Recommend Bella Moon, but we had good meals in all of them. Romantic night?...try either the Kibele in the Abbey or the Bellapais Gardens Hotel. Want something cheap, good value and used by the locals...try the Lahmucen and Pide place...small, basic but they turn out great turkish style pizzas, salad and ravioli. Try the small bar next to the Bellpais Abbey ticket office...run by old boy in his 80%26#39;s. Brandy Sours are great, beer ice cold, plus free water, peanuts by the ton and chocolate biscuit (!!)...strange combination but we loved it. If you can get to Alsancack village about 20 mins drive go the the Cenap restaurant right in the centre. Be very hungry - its the biggest and best meze in the world. On average we paid around 140 - 160 TL for 4 (The exchange rate was 2.43 TL to the £1 so its about £65 - £70) with loads to eat and drink plus free coffee and fruit at most places. Beers/Brandy sours were on average 5TL. Car hire cheap £14 - £20 per day...we had a jeep for £17 per day all in. Cannot take hire cars from north to south.

If you want more info please let me know...been to Bellapais loads of times, always stay there if we are holidaying in the north, lived on the island for over 10 years on and off and love the whole place both north and south. We have flown to both Ercan airport and also Larnaca. Flew to Larnaca this time - transfer took 1hr 20 mins...its 40 mins via Ercan in the north but flights are via Turkey and airline choice not as good and not as cheap. Overall Larnaca wins for us. Border crossing easy so you can spend time in south as well...we did the Wine Festival in Limassol...brilliant.

Enjoy!

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The old guy at the cafe in Bellapais has always given out chocolate biscuits. When we first visited in 1996 we ordered cold drinks and he brought out nuts then he came over with 4 Wagon Wheels, ripped open the packet and handed one to each of us with the wrapper folded down so we wouldn%26#39;t get chocolaty fingers. Made me feel about 5 years old and was really sweet!

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Thanks so much for your replies. Special thanks to Poshindevon - very informative. I%26#39;s really looking foward to it now - only 5 weeks to go!

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Here`s a couple of tips from our experiences in Bellapais which have mostly been at Bellapais Gardens. There is a place very close to your hotel called The Aged House. Avoid; scruffy and dreadful food. If you can be bothered to walk up the hill about 200 yards you will find Gardens of Irini ( Guthrie`s Bistro ) just past the Durrell place ( Bitter Lemons. Here you can get light snacks and fresh lemonade, beers, wine etc in the day but may also make an appointment with Deirdre for evening meals, an experience not to be missed. More like a private dining club but very informal and made special when Deirdre tells you some very interesting local gossip/news or the stuff you will NEVER find in any tourist guide! Limited choices of food but very well done, priced around £45 for 2 including wine. Bellapais Gardens restaurant is excellent but somewhat more expensive ( £60 for 2 ), The Chandelier is also good, as is the Bella Vista fish restaurant ( much cheaper ). About 1 k down the hill is Ayna traditional restaurant which is very popular with locals and cheap.

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HI your message was very informative, so thank you.

We are staying in friend%26#39;s appt in Alcanjak, but from what I recall 4 years ago, Kyrenia was very busy and rather touristy, so really want to be able to explore, as will have car this time.

Do you recommend anywhere in particular?

I am a bit worried as many of the reviews I am reading talk about dirty beaches, and rubbish etc etc, did you find this?

Many thanks

Karen