We returned on 7 October from a week at the Hotel Sempati after selecting it from the long list of rave reviews on here but I cannot rate it similarly. I booked everything (hotel, airport transfer, rental car) by email with Erkan which was a quick and easy operation.

As stated on the website, it is located about 10 miles outside Kyrenia and a rental car is really a must. Despite searching, we never found the 'beautiful beach' which some people mention. Sure the water is beautifully clear but the 'beach' comprises rocks, stones, what appears to be building excavation rubble and rubbish. Beautiful beaches are just not an attribute of northern Cyprus like they are in South Africa, Caribbean islands, Indian Ocean islands etc etc.

On arrival at Larnaca, the driver organised thru the hotel was nowhere to be found and after searching around the melee of people for about 15-20 minutes, he suddenly appeared. We then had a good 1.5hr journey to the hotel in a Merc. For our return however, we arranged the car for 11:30 and shortly before 12:00 he was ready to depart. Despite being late, he then stopped at a garage to fill up the 'car' (the 'car' was a baby van with windows, one single back seat, the other removed to allow luggage to be loaded, and with a bench seat across the back end of the 'car' with no seatbelts). By this time we expected a spirited drive to Larnaca but no, he turned down a side street and searched for an apartment, apparently owned by the Sempati, to collect more people. With 5 passengers and their associated luggage in a baby van, we naturally suffered an uncomfortable journey. Note to oneself .... allow for Cyprus time.

The bedroom (29) was very spacious with a large bathroom and a balcony overlooking a clean pool. The aircon worked well as did the TV and hairdyer but the sliding door to the balcony could not be locked and the carpet was quite dirty. Oh, and the whole curtain track came down but was refixed during the day while we were out.

The breakfast buffet was unlimited so you could 'fill your boots' but the food quality was really only average. We ate dinner only once at the hotel on the Thursday BBQ night. While the meze starter was good, most of the BBQ meat was well overcooked - perhaps better than undercooked but still not overly good. The desserts were ok but not typically local. The entertainment during the evening was good.

The staff were mostly very friendly, welcoming, willing and hard working. A tribute to Erkan.

After all that, the hotel is very keenly priced, the rooms are a good size and Erkan will make booking painless.

For evening dinner, we enjoyed best the taverna Sevkrets and the Italian Veni Vici. While the taverna Asmali do a huge quantity of cheap meze, the quality of the dishes is no better than average compared to other places.

Sevkrets is located on the main road, easily walkable a few metres down on the left, and is family owned and run with a very warm welcome from Sevi (pronounced Sheffi). The food, whilst limited to the usual local selections, was excellently cooked - try sharing one meze starter between 2 so you can still enjoy the main dish. The Italian Veni Vici is located on the right on the main road at the Kyrenia end of Lapta about a 5 minute drive from the hotel. Absolutely excellent menu and food.

Will we return? Likely not.

Dear Erkan,
One week in idyllic North Cyprus is definitely not long enough.
It may be said that the litmus test of a quality resort is when you discover that many of your fellow travellers have made this their ultimate destination to return to time and again.
There are some larger multi star hotels,regardless of there luxurious amenities,that can feel somewhat impersonal and bland.That cant besaid about the Hotel Sempati whose staff must be the friendliest and helpful of people you could meet anywhere.
The owner and manager Erkan,is unllike at many hotels, very accessible and runs a tight ship.His staff are hard working,obviously happy,and maintain a high standard of cleanliness.
The food and entertainment are excellent as are the recreational opportunties such as Cemals horse riding classes and the PADI scuba diving facilities which does Scotland proud.
To sum up this is a hotel,worthy of four stars,where you are made to feel very welcome thanks to the staff who speak good English and encourage our clumsy attempts to learn alittle of their language and culture.
Kind regards,
George and Coleen Moar.

If anyone is considering a holiday to North Cyprus I strongly recommend a stay at Hotel Sempati.

I went away with my parents and it was truly a fantastic holiday. Great holiday started off as soon as we stepped out of the airport. Instead of having the hassle of searching for your transfers, someone was waiting for us to take us straight to the hotel, which was great after our long flight. This was all arranged by Erkan, the hotel manager.

The hotel was excellent. To start off with the rooms were very clean, with the extra bonus of having air conditioning which is a must have with the temperatures at this time of year. The balconies are a nice size and you get a great sea view. When you leave your rooms, there’s an amazing view of the mountains.
The pool is kept very clean and has enough sun beds and umbrellas for guests. The pool is surrounded with gardens that are kept in great condition (well done to the gardener….and karim!!!!)

The food at the hotel is good. You get a buffet style breakfast which has a good selection. You also get a good selection on the lunch menu. We actually stayed at the hotel one evening and I have to say the food was lovely. (It was my one of my favourite meals during the two weeks of our stay.)

On a Thursday, the hotel put on a BBQ night and it was a really good night. For entertainment they have a duo come in called the Cyprus Brothers and they are actually really good, not your typical karaoke singers!!!
That’s followed by a traditional Cypriot dance done by staff from the hotel, which is fantastic. I couldn’t stop laughing and at one point couldn’t stop crying…(a bunch of British people trying to keep up, with arms and legs flying up in the air….I’m sure you can imagine!!!) But it was a really good night and all the staff, including the management who also bring their families, really make it an enjoyable night.

The staff are excellent. They cant do enough to please you. From the reception staff, to the waiters, to the cleaners, they are all very polite, helpful and approachable. From a 20 year olds point of view, I felt very comfortable lounging by the pool by myself without feeling intimidate, which I’ve experienced from other holidays.
I can truly say I arrived to be greeted by staff but I left saying goodbye to some very good friends. And in the process learnt a little bit of Turkish (Thanks Emrah!!!)

So a big thank you to Erkan and Karim and all the staff at Hotel Sempati, for making my first trip to the island a very pleasurable one. So good in fact, ive only been back at work for a week and have already booked time off for my next trip out to you in March. Until then take care and once again a big Thank You.

Emma

Once again our holiday to N Cyprus was great. This year decided to fly to the soth into Larnaca and cross the border. Flight was excellent (BA). Collection and transfer to the hotel, was all arranged by Ercan, the Sempati hotel manager, and all was great. No waiting and no problems crossing the boarder. We didn't even have to get out of the hotel transport.
Hotel, waiters and cleaners were all excellent, as was the food.
No hesitation in recomending N Cyprus and the Sempati Hotel. The manager can not do enough to ensure that your stay is trouble free and ensures that all his stff do the same.
Thanks for making our holiday as trouble free an relaxing as possible.
Eric & Jean, Tom & Angela, Chris & Annie