Sue,
Well, you did it again! Found us a lovely hotel, in a wonderful setting.
The Pestana Hotel is a little out of the centre of Cascais in a residential area. There is a small but well stocked supermarket right opposite, with an ATM. The rooms are very comfortable, with two rings and some cooking utensils and a fridge. We didn't cook, but it was useful for making lunch and keeping drinks cold. I would recommend people to pay the extra for the sea view, and you would need to be on the 4th floor or higher (top 6th) to get this. The other rooms on that side of the hotel would view the pool and gardens, which are lovely as well.
The pool and surrounding area are very good and the gardens offer plenty of shade. The pool is indoors/outdoors. The outdoor pool runs into the inside, under perspex pool, which for obvious reasons is much warmer. The jacuzzi is there too. There is a snack bar for lunch. Plenty of sunbeds and pool towels are free from reception.
We only had one meal in the evening in the hotel on our first night. It was good, with plenty of choice, but rather expensive especially when you add on hotel drinks. The breakfast buffet is quite fine too.
When we were there, the hotel was pretty full - many people from Ireland and Holland. I think we were the only English there. Not that it is a problem, all the staff speak good English and are very helpful.
Cascais is still a lovely village/town. The small square in the centre is the main area of activity and where everyone congregates. If you head north off the square, up a small side street, we found a charming local patisserie/restaurant, where a daily changing menu offered excellent meals, with a main dish costing Euro 4.95! At the top of the town, by McDonalds, we also found another lovely local restaurant. We dined on quail a couple of times and couldn't send £20 on a meal for two with local wine. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, however, whatever your price range and taste. Even a couple of Indians and a Thai.
The hotel runs a complimentary bus service into town during the day, from the hotel to the railway station at the top of the town, and does a couple of runs to a nearby beach during high season. In the evenings, till 10pm weekdays and midnight weekends, a local bus "Buscas" (pronounced "Bushcash") runs every 10 minutes. It costs Euro 0.65 per trip and you can jump on or off at any of the stops on the circular route. Its stops (different going to coming back) are a short walk (3 minutes) from the Pestana.
We took the train into Lisbon for the day. A very easy journey even for us oldies; an enjoyable ride along the coast and Lisbon itself is an interesting city to see. We also took a day trip to the summer palace at Sintra. Well worth doing.
Can't think of anything else important to share. All in all, a great place, only 2hrs 10mins flying from London.
Well done and thanks again for another lovely holiday,
Sally & Dave Rogers
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Friday 23 July 2010
Tuesday 13 July 2010
The Rocks Hotel Kyrenia Northern Cyprus
Hi Sue,
A very big thank you from Ian and me for a wonderful holiday in Northern Cyprus. Everything went to plan - extra leg room seats on plane, private transfer to and from resort and a wonderful hotel.
We would definitely recommend the Rocks Hotel. The staff are friendly and cannot do enough for you. You just have to ask.
Hotel
For some reason they gave us a twin room, but as soon as we said we wanted a double, they changed it immediately. The rooms are spacious and have everything you need (hairdryer, mini bar, safe, etc).
The staff speak some English and you can generally make yourself understood. We particularly liked the pool staff who were always up for some friendly banter. The pool area is perfect. Lots of sunbeds, towels provided and a bar as well as a lovely, clean swimming pool and access to the sea below (though there is no sand if people are looking for this).
The general manager keeps a close check on his staff and is somewhat ubiquitous. We used to count the number of times we saw him each day. It was always 3 or 4 times (as he comes round to check breakfast, the pool, etc).
Breakfast was a huge buffet with breads, pastries, meats, cheeses, salad, fruit, and hot food which included Haloumi, sausages, bacon, baked beans, and a very friendly egg-chef who would do omelettes, pancakes, etc.
We didn't eat in the hotel at night as there was so much choice down by the harbour.
Spa
Whilst we were there we both enjoyed massages in the spa part of the hotel and I also had a manicure, pedicure and hair cut. All were excellent and it didn't seem to cost very much when you compare it to the UK. Ian also used the gym and whilst there was plenty of equipment, it was a bit hot (more air conditioning needed here).
Kyrenia
Kyrenia harbour is just a few minutes walk from the hotel and on route you pass some stallholders and walk along the water front. There are lots of restaurants to choose between for dinner and plenty of bars offering brandy sours. We were also pleasantly surprised by the local dry white wine which we drank all holiday (gone are the days of dodgy Retsina and Aphrodite!)
We particularly enjoyed eating Meze and fresh fish - just bear in mind you need a big appetite. But there are plenty of restaurants offering more British food (burgers, etc) and Full English Breakfast if that's what you want.
Just bear in mind that the waitors will always try to draw you in as you walk past their places. At the start of the holiday we found this amusing, towards the end we were getting a little fed up - but I guess they are just doing their job.
Diving
We tried two different scuba diving schools. The one we would recommend is Amphora Dive Centre on Escape Beach which you need to take a taxi to. The dive instructor was very professional, the equipment good and the staff friendly and helpful. They also speak perfect English. Escape Beach is lovely so well worth a visit anyway.
We would not recommend the British Dive School (based on Turtle Beach).
Things to do
We took a taxi over to Bellapais monastery and also St Hilarion castle nearby (though you can go on coach tours). Both worth a visit with good descriptions on site. The walls of Kyrenia fort are also worth wandering round.
All in all a brilliant trip.
Thanks a million
Jo and Ian
Jo Cooper
A very big thank you from Ian and me for a wonderful holiday in Northern Cyprus. Everything went to plan - extra leg room seats on plane, private transfer to and from resort and a wonderful hotel.
We would definitely recommend the Rocks Hotel. The staff are friendly and cannot do enough for you. You just have to ask.
Hotel
For some reason they gave us a twin room, but as soon as we said we wanted a double, they changed it immediately. The rooms are spacious and have everything you need (hairdryer, mini bar, safe, etc).
The staff speak some English and you can generally make yourself understood. We particularly liked the pool staff who were always up for some friendly banter. The pool area is perfect. Lots of sunbeds, towels provided and a bar as well as a lovely, clean swimming pool and access to the sea below (though there is no sand if people are looking for this).
The general manager keeps a close check on his staff and is somewhat ubiquitous. We used to count the number of times we saw him each day. It was always 3 or 4 times (as he comes round to check breakfast, the pool, etc).
Breakfast was a huge buffet with breads, pastries, meats, cheeses, salad, fruit, and hot food which included Haloumi, sausages, bacon, baked beans, and a very friendly egg-chef who would do omelettes, pancakes, etc.
We didn't eat in the hotel at night as there was so much choice down by the harbour.
Spa
Whilst we were there we both enjoyed massages in the spa part of the hotel and I also had a manicure, pedicure and hair cut. All were excellent and it didn't seem to cost very much when you compare it to the UK. Ian also used the gym and whilst there was plenty of equipment, it was a bit hot (more air conditioning needed here).
Kyrenia
Kyrenia harbour is just a few minutes walk from the hotel and on route you pass some stallholders and walk along the water front. There are lots of restaurants to choose between for dinner and plenty of bars offering brandy sours. We were also pleasantly surprised by the local dry white wine which we drank all holiday (gone are the days of dodgy Retsina and Aphrodite!)
We particularly enjoyed eating Meze and fresh fish - just bear in mind you need a big appetite. But there are plenty of restaurants offering more British food (burgers, etc) and Full English Breakfast if that's what you want.
Just bear in mind that the waitors will always try to draw you in as you walk past their places. At the start of the holiday we found this amusing, towards the end we were getting a little fed up - but I guess they are just doing their job.
Diving
We tried two different scuba diving schools. The one we would recommend is Amphora Dive Centre on Escape Beach which you need to take a taxi to. The dive instructor was very professional, the equipment good and the staff friendly and helpful. They also speak perfect English. Escape Beach is lovely so well worth a visit anyway.
We would not recommend the British Dive School (based on Turtle Beach).
Things to do
We took a taxi over to Bellapais monastery and also St Hilarion castle nearby (though you can go on coach tours). Both worth a visit with good descriptions on site. The walls of Kyrenia fort are also worth wandering round.
All in all a brilliant trip.
Thanks a million
Jo and Ian
Jo Cooper
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