Have you ever wondered if there was anything else in North Cyprus besides golden sand, blue sea and quaint villages?! Well yes, there is!

Over the last 20 years the north of the island has seen development of the mass tourism hotel market and you can now, as well as spending time in more remote areas, enjoy the facilities and wow factor that they offer.

We can safely say that you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the luxury hotel market now dotted along the coast, close to the major towns or cities. You may not like the sound of this, but progress is progress and at least each hotel is very different than the other

in decoration, offering and unique ideas and concepts. There is also the Bafra Tourism area, the location and home of Thalassa Beach Resort, which has several of the swankiest and newest 5 Star Hotel & Resorts in North Cyprus, with more set to follow.

Some of the mainstays, having been around for many years, are also still managing to compete with the influx of newcomers. Those such as The Colony Hotel & Spa, The Dome Hotel, Pia Bella and The Rocks Hotel & Casino are still very popular hotel locations along with the newer Savoy Ottoman Palace, all within the centre of Girne/Kyrenia town centre. The Turkish hotel chain, the Merit Group, has also grown along the north coast, now boasting 4 5 Star Hotels, with some of the best casino and gambling options.

The Cratos Resort Hotel in Çatalköy has grown in popularity with its Cage and Coco Bongo clubs in the summer months, with A List celebrity singers flying over to entertainment the masses at the weekends. For families there are multiple choices with hotels often having kids pools and waterslide parks, such as the Acapulco, Oscar and Elexus Resorts just to the east of Kyrenia.

5 Star Hotels in North Cyprus which are coastal located would certainly not be complete without a beach so you will find pristine beaches, together with waiter services, watersports, private cabanas and all the trimmings at your disposal. Even if you are not a guest at the hotel you will find, for a charge, that you can pay for a day’s access should you wish to partake of some 5 Star pampering and relaxation.

Another reason to visit one of these glamorous hotels would be for a treat at their Spas, which are some of the best you will find in the Mediterranean. Facilities are of the best quality, packed full of tasteful furnishings and mood calming music and lighting, so that you really do feel as if you are in a secluded and private retreat. Complete with steam rooms, jacuzzis, hamams and plunge pools, the variety of treatments are extensive and tempting.

To end this article we will concentrate on the hotels close to Thalassa Beach Resort, so if you are staying with us and fancy change from our own lovely beach, spa and recreational facilities, you may fancy trying some of the ones available at the nearby 5 Star Hotels, where we are able to offer our own guests special deals.

The Concorde Resort, the newest of the current set of 5 Star Hotel & Resorts in Bafra, having opened its doors in 2018, offers Thalassa guests discounted prices for day and evening passes to use their facilities which would include lunch or dinner. Set in 125 acres the resort is immense, with 6 a la carte restaurants, huge pool circling the resort, and top notch casino.

Noahs Ark Hotel & Casino, one of the more established hotels in Bafra, having opened in 2011 and, as you can tell from the name, in the form of an ark, is a very impressive structure and resort. With

restaurants, cafes, outdoor beach spa, 1,600 sqm of beach space, watersports, casino, wellness spa with sauna and steam rooms, kids club, tennis, football and volleyball courts, there is much to cater for those looking for action and relaxation.