Like "Disappointed" of London, I was a visitor to the Altinkaya in March this year, but the hotel he or she saw then was not the one I encountered on my visit.
Maybe the staff had changed (or the weather!) but my welcome there was a much warmer one.
Like our friend from London, I also arrived early in the morning in Kyrenia (2am-ish), but the young man at reception was only too happy to open the bar and dispense a few ice-cold Efes (beer) before I hit the hay.
Considering the Altinkaya is rated only two stars officialy, I was delighted with my room on the second floor (no lift, incidentally).
It was not at all cramped, had a good-sized balcony that looked on to the swimming pool, and had all the usual things (air-conditioning, mini-bar, TV, bath, power shower, etc) you'd expect to find in hotels more highly "starred".
So a winner right away as far as accommodation went. Breakfast was taken across the road, and, again, it was up to the mark. Not five-star repast, true, but I did not imagine for a moment that it would be.
This was my third visit to North Cyprus since 2002, and, like everywhere else, you get what you pay for.
If I had looked for better than the Altinkaya, and booked in at the Dome Hotel near Kyrenia harbour, I know breakfast would have been altogether more lavish affair. I hadn't, so I considered the more modest Altinkaya offering perfectly acceptable.
Returning to the main hotel complex, which is a mixture of studios, hotel rooms, apartments and terraced villas, I made good use of the pretty sun terrace, without ever daring to dip more than a toe into the swimming pool's icy waters.
Yes, it was a disappointment that the indoor pool area was "under development", but not such an enormous letdown as to spoil my holiday.
I travelled with Jewels of the World (was perfectly happy with them), and had been upgraded to half board. However, I dined in only once or twice over the week, preferring instead to check out the many village restaurants about a 15-20 minute wak away.
Again, it was good, honest fare at the Altinkaya. Nothing to give Gordon Ramsay (famed British chef) anything to worry about, but decent enough considering I was virtually getting it for free.
The Altinkaya is perhaps three quarters of a mile way from the main "biz" in Kyrenia, with little around it other than a souvenir shop. However, a bonus was the fact that a well-stocked Lemar supermarket is just a 100 yards or so away.
Very handy for stocking up on essential items such as brandy and beer!
Now, here's where things get a tad difficult. Because the Altinkaya as a pay mini-bar set-up, you'll see notices pinned up in the hotel stating that the only beverages you are allowed to bring in are tea and coffee.
Well, tell that to the marines! I felt no shame at all in bringing in a bottle of local hooch to warm the cockles late at night.
Truth be told, that was after a few brandy sours at the busy Altinkaya bar downstairs, so I felt no embarrassment at all when I returned to the sanctity of my room to look out the "contreband".
The point I am making here is that if you play fair by the Altinkaya (as in spending money at the bar), you expect them to play fair by you.
I'd never make a night of it by smuggling in carrier bags of booze for a "singles" (make that single) party in my room, and I'd think you'd have to be a pretty sad person to do so.
So, although the "tea and coffe only" notices were pretty prominent, I never once saw anyone being stopped bringing in a Lemar carrier bag. Get my drift?
Jewels of the World reps organise all manner of day trips out of the Altinkaya, and pick of them must be the outing to the Karpaz Peninsular, stopping off at pretty Bogaz harbour for lunch or a refreshment.
Another to consider is an excursion to St Hilarion Castle, where you may combine history with a breathtaking climb to the summit, and, on clear day, marvel at the sight of Turkey - some 40 miles away.
I must agree with "Disappointed" of London that there is a fair amount of building work going on around the Altinkaya, and that swirling dust can be a bit of a pest at times.
But that did little to detract from the excellent time I enjoyed there. I found the hotel ticked most of my holiday boxes, and again emphasise the warmth of the welcome I received.
I'd go back tomorrow. Need I say more?