Semeli Hotel

The staff made this trip. Every person we dealt with went out of their way to make us feel comfortable, and the attention was better than I’m used to at many other places. The food was very good and plentiful, and my wife and I felt so at home that leaving was hard. We were there for both business and leisure, and the hotel itself and its location were great. I’d expected a slightly bigger, newer room, but ours was still wonderful. If we return to Cyprus, we’d stay at Semeli again.

The conference room was a good size, though having no windows bothered me. I really value natural light, especially with the Cyprus sun outside. I was there for a business conference, so I can only comment on the location, room and lunch area. The hotel is fairly central and looks decent. The lunch space wasn’t really set up: the finger food wasn’t anything special, and a few more tables would’ve made it easier to sit and eat and mingle.

The staff are friendly and easy to speak with in English. There’s a small outdoor spot to sit, have a drink or smoke, plus indoor areas for meals or a quick drink. The hotel is quiet and the surrounding area feels safe, though the landscaping is really poor. It’s outside the centre, which keeps it peaceful, but you’ll need transport, especially in the hot summer weather. During our week, the hotel seemed to be hosting mostly older tour groups and people looking for a low-budget option. The rooms feel old-fashioned and need renovation. The toilet and shower have amenities, but the space is tight and needs work too. The air conditioning was dirty and noisy enough that we couldn’t leave it on while sleeping. We complained for three days because there was no hot water; reception apologized and said repairs were underway. Breakfast had little variety, though the food quality was okay. Restaurant prices felt high for the atmosphere. One evening we tried to watch a TV game in the lounge, but spent half an hour figuring out the TV, and the sound still wasn’t clear. After several complaints, the front desk told us to watch it in our room, which didn’t feel very polite.

The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the restaurant was wonderful. It’s in a peaceful, quiet area, yet still close enough to walk to many places in Nicosia. Everyone on staff was welcoming, friendly and professional. A wonderful experience, definitely recommended.