I am sorry to write a "bad" report on a property, but feel I have been deceived by my trusting of so many positive, glowing reports. My expectations were high after having read so many good reviews on this site. Yes, the manager and his mother are welcoming and the gardens are beautiful. For me, this is where the positive side stopped. My heart sank when entering the room to see curtains hanging off the rail, shoddy building workmanship, threadbare sheets, and worst of all, what must have been the season's dirt swept under the bed - old bottle tops included! This hotel is not expensive, but then a 5 star hotel was found for only 15 Euros per night more (and clean). I consider that the Lapida equates with a 2 star hotel in France as far as price and facilities are concerned, except that all the 2 star hotels i have found in France have been clean. Was this end of season fatigue? bad luck? or something else? I suspect the enthusiastic manager is perhaps too nice to his staff and that some of them have abused this situation. It is really a pity and I hope that he will put things back in order so that others do not have to share my disappointment in the future.

In essence it is difficult to fault this "hotel" on the basic principal that it is cheap and should actually only really be considered as a guest house.

The son and mother team who run Lapida obviously take great pride in their hospitality and this is clearly evident from the minute you meet them and are warmly greeted and made to feel very welcome.

The gardens at the rear of the property are lovely, well maintained, with herbs and fruit trees surrounding the pool, which is in full sun and again well maintained. Inside the house and rooms could only be described as eclectic, part home part antique emporium. There are a few updates needed here and there and some basic additions which would improve both the overall appearance and experience, HOWEVER this is a cheap option if you are using your base purely for sleeping and you would struggle to find a warmer welcome, certainly not in the large casino hotels in the centre of town for 5 times the price.

The hotel, as the other reviews say, is firmly family run. We went last week in Oct when it was quiet but the weather still fine in the day and cool enough to have the log fire going in the evenings. The pool and garden are fantastic as is the view up to the mountains. The rooms are a bit basic but comfortable and clean. The food is very good. We had half board and ate very well. If you don't eat meat or fish you'd need to check out about options before you go. We went on the Discovery Collection culture and cooking tour with guided trips by Fethi the owner and cooking lessons from Mary his mother (who does the hotel cooking). It was a good programme. The area is quiet the nearest town Kyrenia is small and the place is best for those who want to relax and explore.

They tell youy that Cyprus is paradise when they welcome you at the airport, and if that is so, then the Lapida Hotelin Lapta, near Kyrenia, is a guest house in Paradise! Family run, family values and with a warmth of welcome rarely found these days, a holiday here is just wonderful.
The food is genuine local Turkish Cypriot, cooked by 'Mum' Mary [her soups are to die for] with much of the ingredients she uses, coming from the hotel garden. The whole ambience is one of relaxed warmth.
For this our second visit, we had a double aspect bedroom overlooking the garden and out to the sea and yet with superb close upviews of the mountain range - changing light and shade as the sun traversed the sky. It was a comfortable room with all that you needed to make a stay here pleasant.
The garden itself is a sheer delight with Lemon trees,Guavas, Pomegranates, Bananas unfurling their great buds to reveal yet another 'hand' of delicate yellow flowers,ready to turn into fruit.
If you just want to relax, then this is the place tocome to. If you want history,then Fethi - as an accredited Tour Guide is your man, and if you want a Turkish massage then Olga will oblige you.
We have been before and we will go again. Thank you to The discovery Collection for introducing us.