Club Acapulco Holiday Village, Kyrenia, Cyprus
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Club Acapulco Holiday Village Reviews
" Going Loco Down in Acapulco "
Submitted By: steffipuss@aol.comBooked through Cyprus Paradise for one week half board at the Acapulco. Flew with Cyprus Turkish Airlines which wasn't the best of airlines. Staff are not very friendly but the airline meal was quite good and didn't cost anything. You even get a free drink but they don't appear to be receptive to English speaking customers so that is the only drawback. Arrived late in the evening on a Saturday night so had missed the evening meal but was given a cheese and cucumber sandwich. Was shown to bungalow which was surprisingly spacious with TV, large wardrobe, a double bed and an single and a sofa bed. Received a friendly welcome from one of the stray cats that live outside the hotel who we nicknamed `Charlie.'
As for the rest of the hotel well it was a nightmare. The song `going loco down in Acapulco' definitely springs to mind as you certainly will be if you stay too long at this hotel!
The meals were extremely repetitive, dried up chicken or beef and rice and always lukewarm. The heating in the dining room was turned up so high it was like being in a sauna and very oppressive. Also the music was on a continuous loop and after hearing Barbara Streisand singing `a woman in love' for the hundredth time I was starting to loose the will to live. In desperation we asked if they had any other music or preferably silence but no one understood. There is a man who works there who is the Acapulco equivalent of a Matrie d who basically walks around your table with slow heavy footsteps picking up things and removing them before you have finished and then straightening serving tongs to a 90 degree angle. He does this repeatedly as well as pacing up and down and it is quite off putting. Furthermore despite the dining room being virtually empty getting a drink proved impossible. It took four people to fetch a drink despite the bar being empty. English is not widely spoken so first after placing my order for a beer and pointing to what I wanted the member of staff had to get someone to translate who then told me to `sit down' and someone would fetch it over. The first member of staff then pours the beer then the second goes to get the chief of hotel security who has to go over to the dining room to get the waiter who I nicknamed ``Pixieboots' because of his footwear. Pixieboots then has to go over to the bar to collect the drink and bring it over. But then Pixie boots thinks there must be a mistake as it is a different beer to the one I usually order every evening (as it is the only one they understand) and he promptly pours it away before fetching the `correct one' it was like some Fawlty Towers sketch every night except the staff at this hotel are particularly unfriendly and sullen and you only get one word answers such as `YES' or `NO.' The hotel also has a strict policy of no food or drink being brought into the hotel and I had my water confiscated from the room so even though you might die of dehydration in the time it takes to get a drink at this hotel you cannot get a drink elsewhere. It is also very expensive (£2.50 for a can of coke for example). They also insist on charging everything to your room and if you like to pay as you go along as I do, you need to insist on paying at the time.
What Cyprus Paradise who we travelled with failed to tell us was that everywhere you can eat or drink in the hotel was closed even the poolside snack bar and there is no entertainment except in high season. There was only one bar open (the lobby bar) which was the only place in the entire complex where you could get anything to eat or drink other than at mealtimes. Other than that there is small shop on site but it does not sell drinks not even water but does sell slippers and parcel tape though, very useful (Not). The hotel is completely remote from anywhere and you definitely need a car to get about. We had to get a taxi into Kyrenia the only place with any sign of life. There is a harbour at Kyrenia and a castle and well that's about it. For `unspoiled' read underdeveloped. While I was not expecting a place with lots of tourist attractions and wanted somewhere relaxed with nice scenery I did not expect it to be so lifeless. All you see is piles of rubble and building developments and estate agents.
The rep was particularly rude and unhelpful. She turned up dressed in jeans and sat at reception which gave us no indication that she was actually a rep. The first thing she did was try to book an excursion even though I hadn't even seen a list of what was available. I told her I was having trouble being understood to which she just shrugged and said `Your in our country now you cannot expect people to speak English. We booked a couple of excursions. One to Famagusta was very good the other one to see wild donkeys was not so good and the donkeys were miles away and you couldn't see them properly and the other two passengers we travelled with (east German students) were very unfriendly and ignorant. That was about it there was nowhere else to go except sit in the hotel room or go to Kyrenia. Other hassles with the hotel was the fact that is mainly for conventions and the hotel was overrun by conference people so it was impossible to move. The also took away the only two computers with Internet access which we had paid for and made them available only to conference guests. It got noisy at night what with the noise from the conference guests, rubbish collections at 3am in the morning and the interruptions from hotel staff ringing the wrong room or being woken up by a member of staff grinning from ear to ear holding aloft a tray of nuts we hadn't ordered. The spa and wellness centre is outrageously overpriced with the cheapest treatment being about £100 sterling plus you have to pay to use sauna and steam room etc which most hotels would do for free. Was glad to be leaving at the end of the week and wouldn't go back
Advice: Don't bother going unless you just want to sleep
Activities: Excurison to Famagusta
" The lowest paid restaurant staff were... "
Submitted By: Mr B TownsendThe food was quite nice though and the pool was well maintained.
" Hotel very nice but a bit secluded.... "
Submitted By: Mr D GlaholmNo transport into Kyrenia at night so you are stuck in the hotel
Alchohol prices very expensive.
Just like englands costs, £2.20 for a pint oif lager for example.
We had bottle of water and a bottle of wine we bought in Kyrenia confiscated at the hotel reception on returning after a shopping trip to kyrenia.
Food and restraunts very good staff excellent
Beach magnificent...
only having stuff confiscated in full view of others spoiled the holiday.
" Had a great time at the Acapulco;... "
Submitted By: Mr S Potter" A wonderful resort and a must stay... "
Submitted By: Mr B Jay" I would rate this hotel 5/10, I... "
Submitted By: Mrs FC ANONFirstly, the internet facilities were very poor, there were two computers in a 5 star hotel catering for over a 1000 people. Another thing was the food; you didn't go a night without having cold food!! The drinks were over expensive and you couldn’t even go to a nearby shop there was nowhere in the complex e.g. supermarkets to buy them. There was however a small mini mart that didn’t sell any drinks, so there was no way of getting a cheaper drink.
In the brochure we were not warned that non residents would be in and out of the complex making it a dangerous place for my young daughter with cars and mini buses passing by. The night life was also a disappointment, there were several shows in the amphitheatre but they mostly spoke in Turkish so English people did not have a clue what was going on! Also young teenagers of about the age of 13 would be able to buy alcohol!
Daytimes were havoc, the water slides were extremely dangerous and several people had major injuries e.g. splitting of their heads. The floor around the pool was very dangerous and me and my husband would witness at least 10 people fall over a day.
The staff working in the hotel were very rude and abrupt and when you would acknowledge them they would generally ignore you, especially the bar staff when you were trying to order a drink so you couldn’t go anywhere to get a drink and you would have to wait all night till the bar staff came to you. I would not rate this a five star hotel and I would not come back to Kyrenia it is far too quiet and out in the sticks with nowhere just to get a drink from without being overpriced!!
" We spent the day a the hotel and... "
Submitted By: Miss Va Nasillo" The flight was long and when we got... "
Submitted By: Miss A C TownsendThe day after we went to Acapulco and getting served took an hour and a half, so we went to sleep. When we finally got our keys, and got to our bungalow but we could not open the door. When we got in we found it was small, and there was only 2 lamps and the bathroom lights. Lizards (although cute) kept coming in but the food was the best part. There’s lots of choice and its all well nice. There was only big pool (there was one quiet pool), and it was packed because of the waterslides, but there was the sea.
It was always very crowded because local people came to the casino and the sea (it did not mention this in the brochure). There was not much to do except stay in the bar, and go to the pool. The drinks were very pricey.
" Traveled to north Cyprus and because... "
Submitted By: Mrs S M TownsendBungalows too small very dark, dingy not impressed at all, asked to go back to pia bella told to pay £200 extra, agreed to then to be told sorry no availability! The pools were ok very busy on a Sunday, all the locals like to visit, the food was so, so breakfast was ok. Evening meal was repetitive. The sweets were fab.
The entertainment was dire too little and the shows in the amphitheatre were bad. Not enough going on here for children my two were fed up, there is also a casino attached to the hotel they didn't mention that in the brochure.
To top of our worst ever holiday which wasn’t cheap, on our way to the airport at Ercan. Little did we know our flight tickets to go home had been cancelled and the only way home to Manchester was to use my credit card to buy 4 more tickets to get home, at a cost of £700. So all in all my advice book with a big name like Thomas Cook or Thomson.
" Accommodation: Room in hotel (not... "
Submitted By: Dr C BonniciHotel facilities: excellent: ample beds on beach; sometimes crowded round swimming pool but there always seemed to be a bed if one looked hard enough. Swimming pool vast and divided very well into interconnecting sections; five slides: children's heaven!
Small gym and indoor pool. Staff: helpful and cheerful Setting: terrific; friendly clean, gently sloping sandy beach just below hotel with rather spectacular mountains as backdrop. Excellent holiday.
" Last year my wife and I stayed at the... "
Submitted By: Mr B DennisHowever during our time in Northern Cyprus we had visited Bellapais Abbey and liked the area.
Having decided to return to Northern Cyprus, this time we stayed at the Bellapais Monastery Village. The Acapulco catered for the masses whereas BMV is smaller and quieter, and as children under 12 are not allowed, caters for the individual. In other words, completely different.
You will know from your brochure what to expect in terms of facilities so this review will perhaps help in giving a guide to the quality.
First all let me say that my wife and I (both in our 50’s) thought the resort was wonderfully peaceful and relaxing. At the time of our stay most guests that we met were British and were in couples. Now to the nitty gritty.
Accommodation
We booked a room in the hotel (most of the accommodation is in villas). The room was perfectly adequate without being “sumptuous” as one brochure described. There is no passing traffic and the hotel overlooks a football pitch with views looking down across Kyrenia. Because of steps and some steep slopes, people less mobile might have a little difficulty in getting around.
Staff
The waiters, bar staff and receptionists spoke excellent English, were of very good humour and smartly dressed. They, as well as kitchen staff and gardeners were very hardworking.
Although only a small resort, BMV engages the services of a Guest Relations Officer. She (Linda) seems to have a cushy job because no one seemed ever to have a complaint!
Food
We stayed Half Board. The food was excellent with quite a wide choice but we would have liked to have seen more local dishes on the Evening menu.
Prime facility
During our stay the 2 outdoor pools were never overcrowded. The indoor plunge pool, adjacent to the outdoor pools, was great for cooling off from the sun.
Recommendations
1) In Bellapais Village, eat out at the Abbey Bell Tower Restaurant and meet the greeter, Ali G, who is very amusing.
2) Again in the village, eat out at the Bellapais Gardens. Make sure you get there before sunset to enjoy the breathtaking view.
At both restaurants they will pick you up and return you to BMV without charge.
3) If you enjoy walking then there is a Book of Walks in the hotel reception. By way of the Crusader Path, Walk 8 will lead you up to Bellapais village via a village called Ozankoy. This becomes a nature walk.
Summary
We all have different expectations and experiences of holidays so ours can only be a personal opinion. However if you want a quiet relaxing holiday without the kids, good food, good clean facilities and good service, then in our opinion, this could be just the place for you. We intend to return again next year.
" Despite the few awful ratings for... "
Submitted By: Miss C HendersonThe 1st time we visited Acapulco I was severely ill, ended up in Kyrenia hospital and had to have 2 injections daily from the hotel nurse, he however came early and left late to ensure I got my injection, likewise the hotel phoned a doctor to come out and visit, and ordered a mini bus to take me to the hotel. Obviously the good old E111 did not cover all costs and my parents had to fork out a lot for my medication yet with the help of my rep from green island holidays we got the money back on our return to England. As for the holiday I was live and kicking for my 2nd week at Acapulco.
Last year we returned I loved the week out of the two in 2003 as did my whole family therefore we returned last year along with 2 other families and Acapulco was better than ever, the new huge pool was complete and I will never forget the number of amazing people I met. 3 included staff, 2 from the entertainers and a third from a travel company, all of which went along to the amphitheatre and made everyone feel welcome before, during and after the shows, which are amazing.
The service is amazing I do not know what people complain about, yes the queues are bad, if you go for dinner at the earliest time possible, but the restaurant is open till 9pm, leave it till 8pm and you can wander in and all the food is still available up until closing. Likewise with breakfast.
It is a complete exaggeration that hundreds of turns come at the weekends, most of them are families, believe me I have been twice both at the beginning of August, the beach and pool seem a tad busier than usual but there is ALWAYS a free sun bed.
My younger brothers loved the kids club which kept them out of the sun, and the night time entertainers ran that and also kept us older "kids" entertained with activities.
The Turkish bath/sauna (free) is relaxing and Kyrenia itself is amazing, you must visit Niazis and also Bellapase in the mountains. It is spectacular up there. Despite Acapulco being away from Kyrenia harbour, hourly buses run from the hotel at the equivalent of a pound for a return journey (1 lire each way) likewise taxis are plentiful and cheap (beware of fast drivers).
You may think Acapulco is designed for families think again it is the most relaxing place on earth and at night the amphitheatre and pool tables and computer are away from the lobby bar and there is even a casino.
Its amazing, to me heaven on earth, the bungalows I admit are not 5 star, but the rooms on the 4th floor, to die for, drinks expensive yeah, but there are many ways to enter the hotel with water etc from Kyrenia, where alcohol and water are sooo cheap, like pennies! Also water is not expensive at all, the drinks are only expensive if you buy imported alcohol, ask for vodka/Bacardi local and it’s less than half the price, just be sure to ask for it.
Its Turkish way of life, it’s amazing it’s untouched, if love to travel but something keeps pulling me and my family back to Acapulco, we have never once in going abroad annually been back to the same place twice, well until now.
" The accommodation and general... "
Submitted By: Mr TS SabokbarThe only regret I have is that i couldn't stay longer. Dedication to the team behind the scenes and the actors had a real laugh with Sherrif, Haroon, Shosho George all you guys. Best Holiday EVER!
" We selected this facility because it... "
Submitted By: petrkarIt is really large-scale facility located in secluded position. It is disadvantage because you should buy everything within hotel area, consequently you pay higher (sometimes excessive) prices for everything. There is bus service to Kyrenia and back for reasonable price, but the last return is about 5pm. If you want to see a bit more and if you are not just idler car hire is almost must.
On the other side, the resort is very clean, carefully serviced and - due to its extent - never overcrowded.
Half-board catering is of very good quality and quantity. There are two possibilities of accommodation: bungalows and main-building rooms. Although more expensive, the main-building rooms are of better quality; some of bungalows are not yet renovated and if you will have the bad luck you will be frustrated. On the other hand, bungalows could be of some advantage for families with children. Both immense pool and enjoyable sandy beach are one of the best we ever seen.
I would say that this hotel is the good choice for people who prefer rather slothful and sluggish style of vacation. Although my notion of holiday is different, I surprised myself how it can be soothing.








The Hotel its self was pretty good on the whole, reasonable rooms, though to sit in your bathroom and be aware of what your nieghbour was doing in his was a whole new experience. The staff were friendly and helpfull on the whole apart from the odd sulky chef and the food was borderline spectacular. Quite rightly the beach was lovely..beautiful in fact, fenced off and safe....very, very safe to be precise! complete with its own observation tower owned by the Turkish army, which had their assult course right next door.
Beware the casino though, as when one number came up a bit too frequently and the locals got up and walked out in unison, you get a slight incling that the odds might be a bit stacked against you.
Kyrenia itself is a beautiful harbour an extortionate tourist trap, full of less than pleasant hustlers, but beautiful none the less.
The Turkish side of Niccosia.....if you like a excursion of down town Beruit in Cyprus this is the place for you! Just watch your back as the natives have their eyes on your every movement.
In conclusion if you shut your eyes,be prepared for exhorbidant booze prices and dont leave the safety of the hotel complex, enjoy! However,
Advice: absolutely not
Activities: The roman ruins