We stayed at the Manolya for 2 weeks last July. Room was bright if slightly old fashioned in decor but comfortable and spacioius (though it's clear from some we spoke to that this is not true of a number of rooms). Everything was clean and items in the room in good condition. The balcony was spacious with good views and a great space to sit and enjoy the quiet and mountain a sea views of early morning or late afternoon/evening. Could have done with a bit of a brightening up though - rusty old and noisy aircon unit not so great. Bathroom does have a slight mould problem, but nothing too terrible or unreasonable in this part of the world and there was always a good supply of sufficiently hot water at good pressure. Shower unit a little cramped though.
It's a good location for catching the dolmus into Kyrenia and elsewhere. Food (we were on free half board though we ate out fairly often) was good quality - just got a bit repetitive after a bit and could have been a little more imaginative. There is such good food to be had in Cyprus.
We arrived late and they were very helpful in holding dinner for us. In fact the staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful throughout. On the less positive side it was very hot and humid and frankly the air con couldn't cope - a newer unit was probably overdue. Also there is a real cockroach problem here. Lot's of instructions not to bring food into the hotel etc - but we had twice to kill cockroaches in our own room/hotel corridor. Spotted or heard one or two others - but the really bad area is the dining terrace. If like me you hate scuttling things, you will find it freaks you out (and made the half-board option the really wrong for me).
Overall, I think 3 star is about right. Without the cockroaches and ith an extension of apparent upgrading of some of the rooms throughout, I think the staff in particular would have edged it up a notch in my rating.
- Manolya Hotel Kyrenia
