Just returned from a week's holiday at the Hotel Ada. Our first impressions when we arrived were clouded by our disappointment in the town itself. The journey from Ercan airport took about an hour in a shared mini-bus laid on by Green Island holidays. The bus was a bit dirty which was the same for the majority of the areas we passed through on route to Kyrenia. There was litter everywhere at the side of the roads. Kyrenia itself has a busy single main road that goes straight through the town and on towards Lapta, etc. It is lined with a mixture of run down shops, advertising billboards, military premises, hotels, sporadic building sites and estate agencies. There is the odd modern shop and restaurant set back from the road.

Ours was the 2nd drop off - the 1st was the Mountain View which was down a single track road then a dirt track amongst some pretty run-down residential properties. This was a big turn off and we were glad we were not staying there.

The Ada is about 10 mins outside Kyrenia centre just off the main road. It is very isolated with no shops or restaurants within walking distance. The brochure had described it as an "Exclusive Luxury Boutique Hotel". We were expecting 4.5 to 5 star. In reality it is 3 to 3.5 star. The building looks approx. 20 years old with some obvious renovations but some obvious signs of age.

The plus points - the pool area and lower seafront bathing area are excellent with stunning views and a massive amount of space. There is a mixture of timber and plastic loungers with towels and cushions provided free. It is very peaceful and relaxing. The rooms (18 + 3 suites) all have balconies with brilliant sea views. The staff were very friendly and the service was excellent at all times. The main bedroom area was fine, if not luxury boutique, the bathroom definetely wasn't (see below). The food was very good, however the breakfast choice limited. The omelettes cooked on request by the chef were my personal breakfast favourite. The outdoor restaurant area is also good in terms of views and ambiance. Most of the guests were British and a little older than us in their 40s - 60s, but all a decent bunch. The hotel is small so you tend to get to know everyone.

The minus points - the brochure is most definetely misleading about the hotel and the whole resort. Ada is a good hotel but rough around the edges in parts. The bathrooms especially are very small and certainly not luxurious - it just doesn't have the well finished feel throughout we were expecting. Venturing outside the hotel area by foot is not recommended. It is a good 15 minute walk to the nearest bar but you have to walk alongside the main road and there is no pavement. With the construction work going on there are a lot of heavy vehicles whizzing just past you. That said we were aware that the hotel was out of town, if not quite so isolated. We never hired a car but most others did. Taxis were 12 to 15 YTL, the bus was 1 YTL. Kyrenia itself was a let down - the harbour area is beautiful but the rest is not, with the odd exception. Even the harbour was spoilt on our 1st night by the cats (which my wife detests) roaming between the restaurants and a scuffle between some local youths.

Overall - We had a good holiday but still feel a little let down by the "unspoilt North" myth and the hotel describing it as something it isn't. We found the brilliant Niazi's restaurant and ate there most nights and the sunbathing environment at the hotel was great. Prices are slightly less than the South but not much - a beer and a short at the Harbour was 14 YTL (rip off), much better was the 6 to 7YTL at Roxannes next to Niazi's. Liked the look of the Rocks hotel which is in the heart of the town, and the Colony although it is across the road from a petrol station further from the Sea. Doubt if we will be back in the near future though.

Postscript - I understand that the Ada is converting it's top floor into a further 4 rooms after Xmas. They are also adding a steam/spa area underneath the pool area at the seafront.