Hotel Valide Hanim Konak

The meat is the highlight: tender, rich and delicious. The place feels cozy and authentic, and everyone on staff is welcoming and friendly. It's our regular spot whenever we want a delicious meal.

The owner, Cemal Gülercan, who is related to Dr. Fazıl Küçük, and his team were wonderfully warm and attentive. Our room was €65 a night with breakfast included. The fried halloumi was a treat, and we ate in the quiet back garden among beautiful flowers. The house felt peaceful and serene. We stayed at Hotel Valide Hanım Konağı in Nicosia (Lefkoşa) in June 2023. The historic mansion was started in 1921, finished in 1931, and turned into a seven-room boutique hotel in 2019. It had an impressive 9.3/10 rating on Booking.com. The hotel is especially known for its dinner menus. One evening we had the Argentinian menu for two, with 4-5 kinds of meat, 4-5 varieties of meze and drinks, all for 1250 Turkish Lira. I'd recommend it without hesitation to visitors. Prices are from June 2023.

I went to the restaurant after seeing lots of ads, and I'm reviewing the restaurant only, not the hotel. They didn't seem ready to welcome restaurant guests, and steak was the only dish they served. We waited about an hour, then got a laughably tiny serving of mushrooms as an appetizer. When the food finally arrived, I didn't like how it was cooked, so they replaced it. The staff couldn't speak English at all. It wasn't a good experience, and I won't go back. Restaurant management and staff behavior matter a lot to me; otherwise, you might as well order at home. No surprise they had no customers.

I've stayed here five times now, and it's been wonderful each time. This is a lovely small hotel with friendly, hospitable staff, and it's a perfect base for exploring the northern part of Nicosia.