City Royal Lefkosa Turk republic of North Cyprus Guide and Review

Located in North Nicosia (Lefkoşa), Cyprus, City Royal Lefkosa is primarily known as a casino hotel, though guest reviews predominantly focus on the accommodation aspect. The feedback from visitors presents a remarkably mixed picture, ranging from highly critical assessments of cleanliness and service to more forgiving views on its functionality and location.

Overall Impression and Contradictory Experiences

Guest experiences at City Royal Lefkosa vary significantly. While some older reviews highlight a friendly staff, good views, and affordability, more recent feedback points towards a decline in standards, particularly regarding cleanliness, room quality, and the value proposition. This disparity suggests that the hotel's offering might have changed over time or that experiences are highly inconsistent.

👍 Positive Aspects Highlighted by Guests

• Prime Location for Business 📍

  Several guests, especially those on business trips, found the hotel's location to be ideal and very convenient. This is a consistent positive note.

• Functional, "Old but Gold" Approach

  One reviewer described the hotel as "Old but gold," appreciating its functional nature despite outdated furnishings. This suggests that for some, practicality outweighs aesthetic concerns.

• Friendly and Helpful Staff (Older Reviews)

  Older reviews specifically praised the staff for being very friendly and always helpful, contributing to a positive experience. It's worth noting this sentiment appears less frequently in more recent, negative reviews.

• Bar with a Good View (Older Review)

  The hotel's bar was mentioned for having a "really good view," offering a pleasant spot for relaxation.

👎 Areas for Significant Improvement 📉

• Cleanliness Concerns 🧼

  A recurring and significant complaint revolves around cleanliness. Guests reported dirty towels, unclean floors and bathrooms, and a general lack of thorough cleaning in common areas, which some noted smelled of dust. Restaurant toilets were also described as "very old and dirty."

• Subpar Breakfast Experience 🍳

  The breakfast repeatedly emerged as a major disappointment. Described as a "joke" and "very brief," some reviews noted it was served on a plate with anything extra forbidden or requiring additional payment. This contrasts sharply with the expectation for a hotel of its purported standard.

• Outdated and Poorly Maintained Rooms 🛏️

  Rooms are consistently described as "old" and in need of "serious maintenance." Furnishings require replacement, and shower cabins were noted as old and narrow.

• Questionable Value for Money 💸

  Many recent reviews highlight the hotel as being "expensive" for the quality of service and amenities offered. One guest equated it to a 1 or 2-star hotel in Istanbul, while another suggested its value was no more than €25 per night, especially considering the lack of standard hotel amenities.

• Limited and Costly Services

  Guests reported having to "pay for everything," including what one might expect as complimentary, such as "welcome water." Room service was noted as "very small and limited to soap and towel," with basic services of any three-star hotel reportedly missing. Furthermore, some encountered issues with room card activation until daily payment was processed.

• Lack of Amenities

  The hotel reportedly lacks common amenities such as a pool, gym, or sauna, which can be a significant drawback for travelers expecting a full hotel experience.

• Elevator Issues ⬆️⬇️

  There is reportedly only one lift, described as "very old and very dirty," and guests felt it "doesn't look safe."

• Parking Inconvenience 🅿️

  Parking is noted as being on the street in front of the hotel, which could be inconvenient for guests with vehicles.

• Staff Politeness (Conflicting Reports)

  While older reviews praised staff friendliness, a more critical review explicitly stated that "the hotel staff at the reception was not polite," contributing to a negative overall experience.

Conclusion

City Royal Lefkosa appears to be a hotel with a history of positive aspects, particularly regarding its location for business and staff friendliness in earlier years. However, more recent feedback points to significant issues with cleanliness, room maintenance, breakfast quality, and overall value for money. Prospective guests should be aware of these inconsistencies and consider the emphasis on basic, functional accommodation, rather than a full-service casino hotel experience. The casino aspect itself is not extensively reviewed by guests, with feedback centering almost entirely on the hotel's lodging and service quality.