The Ultimate Guide to Long Beach Resort Hotel, Famagusta, North Cyprus. Detailed Review of a Hidden Gem.

Why We Chose Long Beach Resort

The UK's departure from the European Union was imminent in the fall of 2019. We were wary of the disruption it might cause to travel between the UK and the EU. So we decided to search further afield for a break.

We had visited Cyprus before. The warm climate appealed to us. Apart from a day trip to the north, we had stayed previously in the south, within the EU.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is outside the EU. We could even choose to fly via Istanbul, Turkey, avoiding the EU altogether.

The general location was sorted, but where would we stay in North Cyprus? After many hours of online research, my husband found Long Beach Resort Hotel, just over 10.5 miles north of Famagusta on the east coast. The reviews were very good, the beachside location looked great and we found a very reasonable package deal with Cyprus Paradise. The deal was so cheap, it was almost too good to be true. Taking advantage of a free upgrade to half-board, we followed the advice of other visitors and paid a little more for a beachside mini villa.

As the date of departure approached, we wondered how this extremely reasonably priced trip would work out. I even joked with friends about arriving to find a shack on a beach. Far from it. Read on to find out why we call Long Beach Resort a "hidden gem".

First Impressions

The transfer process was very smooth from the airport, if a little quirky. Arriving late at night, we were directed towards a man with a laptop, outside Ercan airport. After checking our details and scanning our passports he showed us to a large and very comfortable Mercedes taxi. Water bottles had been left for us in the holders and we were whisked to our destination.

The only hiccup was the annoyance of the taxi driver when he realized that we had no small change for a tip. The following day a Cyprus Paradise rep told us that there was no need to tip.

We were greeted by the 24-hour staff in reception, offered wrapped sandwiches, and quickly checked in. Our suitcases were taken and we were led along paths, past villas until we arrived at the white wooden door of our mini villa. We appreciated the lantern light near the door as our guide found the hole for the key.

At gone midnight, after a long day, I remember being struck by the generous size of the lounge area, but little else, as we ate the sandwiches before hitting the pillow.

A New Day Dawns

Accomodation

Long Beach Resort offers a choice of mini villas/bungalows. Taking online advice from previous guests, we pushed the boat out and went for a beachside mini villa with a large separate lounge. There were also smaller bungalows with no lounge and cheaper locations with a pool or garden view. We were very pleased with our selection.

Location Choices

Beach Front Mini Villa

Exterior

The single-storey mini villas had a pleasant, traditional feel to them, with their whitewashed outer walls and the blue edging around the windows and doors. The added touches of the curved arch over the front entrance and the shape of the patio door were pleasing to the eye, as were the terracotta tiles on the sloping roofs.

The wooden blue rail near the front entrance was a nice touch. The white dividing walls at the front and rear of the property gave a secluded feel and added to the privacy.

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The design of the villas meant that the water tank and solar panels that we assumed were on the roof, were not visible from the beachside.

The front door.

1 / 3

Layout

The front door opened into a hallway, with a door on the right into the shower room. Further along on the left, there was a door into a bedroom. Straight ahead an archway led into a large lounge. An interconnecting door potentially linked this villa with the adjoining one next door, useful for a family group. The patio door opened onto a terrace. A pathway and low wall separated this from the beach and sea beyond.

Decor

The mini villa was painted magnolia throughout, with white wooden doors and frames. The decoration was minimal. There was one moderate-sized modern art print in a rectangular gold effect frame near the uplighter in the lounge and two woodland prints in black frames in the bedroom.

Floors were fully tiled in beige and laid out in a square or diamond pattern.

Cream, textured curtains hung from dark wood poles in the lounge and the bedroom.

Temperature Control

There were modern air conditioning units in the lounge and bedroom. Each had a remote control. The villa remained cool, despite the heat outside. We used the heating option on one cooler evening in November.

Plugs

Plug sockets were three-pin, so British guests had no need for adapters. We noticed that plastic adapters were in use for some two-pin appliances, such as the kettle.

Lounge

This was the biggest room in the villa. Full-width glass at the end ensured that the sea view was maximized. There were full-length windows on either side of the patio doors. This arrangement was finished off with an arched window above. The white fretwork, giving the impression of individual panes was a nice touch.

Furniture

A large dark wood unit stood in the corner. It contained a big cupboard and three deep drawers.

Along the opposite wall was a dark brown vinyl sofa, with two matching leather armchairs and a medium wood rectangular coffee table. A further small square dark wood coffee table was in the corner by the uplighter.

In the corner near the archway, there was a dark wood square table with a cream top and two green plastic chairs. On top were two glasses, coasters, and two wine glasses.

Electrical Items

Around the corner to the right, there was an under-counter fridge. This was the minibar, fully loaded with drinks and a price list.

On top, there was a kettle, two cups, saucers and teaspoons, sachets of coffee, and whitener.

There was a generously sized flatscreen TV on top of the large unit in the corner.

Lighting

There was a modern uplighter in the corner by the window, as well as a central ceiling light.

Additional Items

There was a useful pale wood folding suitcase holder.

A telephone was next to the TV.

Captivating view.

1 / 8

Surprising Notice

We had never come across a note before like the one we found in the lounge, banning us from bringing any food and drink into the hotel from elsewhere. With cereal bars and snacks stashed in our cases as well as peppermint teabags, it felt like we had already overstepped the mark. Not to mention our usual habit of buying drinks and food from local supermarkets to consume in our room.

At breakfast the following morning we asked a Cyprus Paradise rep about the note. She said that such notices were common practice in hotels in North Cyprus, but she thought a few bottles of water would be fine.

I kept snacks out of sight in a cupboard and tried to be discreet when walking back from the supermarket. This shop was 875 yards north of the hotel, on the other side of the road, and reached via an underpass. Concealment of shopping was no mean feat when the route back took us past the main terrace and reception area. But we never had a problem.

Bedroom

This appeared small, compared to the lounge, but it was adequate as a bedroom. The highlight was its twin aspect. One window overlooked the garden area at the front of the villa, with palm trees, rubber plants, bushes, and paths toward the pool area. The other window looked out on a palm tree, patio, wall, beach, and sea at the rear. Both windows were at waist height and slid across to open halfway.

Furniture

The double bed on a beige base had a wooden headboard in two shades attached to the wall. The medium brown bedside tables each had a single shallow drawer and a shelf on the bottom, with crossed beams at the side.

There was a dressing table to match with two shallow drawers near the front window. An upright wooden chair with a dark brown padded seat and back stood nearby. There was a tall rectangular mirror in a dark brown frame to the side, partially obscured by the dressing table. (I said the room was small.)

Opposite the bed, there was a tall built-in wardrobe. As well as the two large dark brown doors, there were two further ones above up to ceiling height. A hanging rail ran the full width with 5 hangers on it. Not the most generous provision, but more were supplied quickly upon request. There was a shelf above with spare bedding. The top cupboard opened to reveal a loft hatch in the ceiling.

Bedding

The bed had white sheets and a green and beige checked throw. There were two white pillows, with an extra one in the wardrobe. We requested another, which appeared very quickly. There was also another sheet and a red patterned blanket in the wardrobe.

Lighting

There were lamps on either side of the bed with curved black stands and yellow shades. In addition, there was a central ceiling light with a cream shade.

Hairdryer

Although there was a label on the dressing table for a hairdryer, the drawer was empty. We were offered a hairdryer at reception.

Bedroom view.

1 / 7

Shower Room

This room had a simple layout; shower to the left, sink opposite the door, and toilet to the right. The walls were covered in large mottled beige tiles, decorated with a narrower row part way up. A small, square UPVC window, high in the wall, gave a little natural light.

Fixtures

The white shower tray ran the width of the room and was fully enclosed by a sliding screen. The shower control was low on the end wall, with the adjustable shower head on a rail above.

The modern white circular sink was set on a dark brown wooden stand, with a beige top and a useful shelf below.

The toilet was slotted in neatly next to it.

Fittings

There was a chrome towel rack high on the wall above the toilet. This was a slightly unusual location and did have its drawbacks, as I found one day when I dislodged a towel into the toilet below.

There was also a towel rail by the door. A simple rectangular mirror was mounted on the wall above the sink, with a chrome holder and frosted glass on the wall below.

There was a useful double-level chrome toiletry rack in the corner of the shower.

Lighting

There was a single globe light in the center of the room. It was a little dim, but we managed.

Toiletries and Towels

Two shower gels and two shampoos were regularly replaced. Two reasonable-sized bath towels and two hand towels were replaced daily if required.

Do not Flush the Paper.

We were informed by the rep at our welcome meeting that toilet paper was not to be flushed, due to the risk of blockages, but was to be placed in the bin in the shower room. He explained that this would be emptied daily by the cleaner. It took a little getting used to, but it is not uncommon to find this in some Mediterranean countries. It might have helped if the bin had had a lid, but there was the option of emptying the contents into a lidded dustbin near the front door.

On balance, we decided this was better than the alternative of blocked drains.