Our Experience at Salamis Bay Conti Hotel and

Casino in Northern Cyprus

Hello, and welcome back to consecutive day 1182 of my diary as an entrepreneur. Today, I want to share with you our accommodation experience at the Salamis Bay Conti Hotel and Casino in Northern Cyprus, where we’re currently staying.

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Initial Impressions

So let's dive in. We are about 20 minutes north of Famagusta, in the Turkish part of Cyprus. The hotel we're staying in is the Salamis Bay Conti Hotel and Casino, which is marketed as a five-star, all-inclusive resort. Personally, I'd lean towards calling it a four-star, but it definitely has enough amenities to justify the five-star rating.

The Casino

One major feature of this resort is its Vegas-sized and -style casino. Now, I’m not much of a gambler myself, but I did take a walk around it. It’s pretty impressive and I can see why it attracts a lot of visitors, especially those who love a good casino experience. It’s very much up there with the casinos I’ve seen in Vegas, so if gambling is your thing, you’re in for a treat.

Amenities and Accommodation

The resort is quite clean, although it does show some signs of age. There are minor maintenance issues here and there, but nothing that really spoils the experience. On the positive side, the resort is investing in new facilities, indicated by the new block that’s been built.

The resort boasts three pools: two outdoor ones with six water slides and one indoor pool. There’s also a spa, games room, and other amenities. The rooms are well-kept and cater to families nicely. We’re staying in a duplex villa that comfortably accommodates our family of five. The traditional hotel rooms also offer options like beach, sea, or pool views.

The Food Experience

Now onto the food, which is where the resort lets itself down a bit. It’s an all-inclusive setup with buffet-style dining available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. There are also two à la carte restaurants: a Chinese one, which we've tried and enjoyed, and an Italian one we’re planning to visit tonight.

The buffet experience is quite chaotic, though. You’re looking at around 1500 to 2000 people scrambling for food over a three-hour window. It’s very much geared towards locals, many of whom have Cypriot roots. The direct and culturally Turkish Cypriot dining style can be a bit alarming, especially for kids. However, we’ve managed to adapt over ten days.

What Stands Out

What I do appreciate about this resort is the availability of sun loungers; there’s never a hassle finding one. The resort also features multiple bars and snack bars, as well as a pier where you can dive straight into the sea without getting sandy.

Final Thoughts

All in all, if I’m being honest, I’d rate this as a four to four-and-a-half-star experience, despite its five-star label. Considering the beautiful sea and the many amenities, it's a good choice if you're planning on visiting the northern coast of Cyprus. The region seems to be undergoing a lot of development, so I’m sure it will continue to evolve.

Would I come back? Possibly, but the chaotic food experience might deter me. Regardless, we’ve had a wonderful time so far. With three more days to go, we’re making the most of our stay.

I hope this review is helpful for anyone considering a visit to Northern Cyprus. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me a line. I respond to everyone. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and like – it helps us get in front of more people and raise more funds for my mission.

Stay positive, stay happy, and I’ll see you again tomorrow. Cheers!

Kevin Brittain