written by Architect Mimar Özbek

For many years, travellers have stayed temporarily in provided accommodations. The Ancient Romans have provided accommodation and thermal spas for travelling government officials and Caravansaries were home for those travelling along the famous Silk Road from Turkey to China.

Even During the Middle Ages, pilgrims travelling to monasteries were able to find places to stay. Travelling during the 21st century has introduced star rated hotels and boutique hotels around the world that have become much preferred guest houses.

Boutique hotels combine the fascination of the old world and its unique periodical characteristics with modern day comfort while maintaining history’s magnificence and glory. They provide you with comfortable rooms, the warmth of your own home and authentic food while remaining faithful to their heritage. They can be set apart from big chain hotels as they have a warmer environment and unique styles.

Style, diversity, warmth and sincerity are very important in the architecture and design of a boutique hotel especially on our island, which has a rich historical culture. Heritage from different periods can make boutique hotels very interesting.

HEAVY DOORS, STONE WALLS

The first places that come to mind are Valide Hanım Konak in Nicosia, award winning Kemerli Konak Boutique Hotel in Zeytinlik-Kyrenia and the historical Kyrenia Palace at the Kyrenia Harbour. Each has been renewed by talented designer teams and has gained the interest of local and foreign tourists. All three have brought forward the era they represent and are decorated with heavy doors and stonewalls. Evidently, they have all undergone serious renovations. Kemerli Konak Boutique Hotel was awarded a Gold Award by the jury at the Propertync Awards and has additional reinforced concrete walls and a lift for four floors as well as stonewalls. It consists of 38 rooms and is home to the proverbial restaurant Archway. The restaurant has stonewalls and fine woodwork.

NORTH CYPRUS’S FIRST BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Bella View Art Boutique Hotel, with its amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea and Bellapais, Djumba Hotel and cafe located in Nicosia-Arabahmet area and Premium Inn Boutique Hotel situated on the Salamis Road of Famagusta are all newly constructed buildings but with historical designs. Bella View, is North Cyprus’s first registered boutique hotel and houses guests in 29 film themed rooms. The names of films are written on the doors and the rooms have been decorated accordingly. For example, if you are staying in the Sherlock Holmes room, you will find a few film posters on the walls, a pipe next to the bed and a detective cloak hanging behind the door.


The story behind Djumba in Arabahmet is slightly different. It was an old ruined building passed down to the next generation but it was best to knock it down and build something new, as it was impossible to save the original building. The design features similarities to the original building. It has a reinforced concrete pavilion, a lovely kitchen and bar in the lobby, an inner court and six bedrooms.

The general feature of a boutique hotel is hosting a small number of guests with a unique style. Such as Gilham Vineyard Hotel which was awarded Best Boutique Hotel Platinum Award at the Propertync Awards. Located in Kyrenia, in the village of Ilgaz on the slopes of the Beşparmak Mountains, this hotel is surrounded by grape vines and makes its own wine. The restaurant has chic and luxurious details and the spa and other facilities are blended with wine and wine making such as Aromatic massages with oils produced from grape pulp (sediment), and relaxation in wine filled pools.

A RARE NICOSIA MANSION

Mehmet Küçük built Valide Hanım mansion situated in Nicosia, in 1931 for his daughter Akile Arca. Its front door opens onto Girne Street and its back door opens out to Samanbahçe making it very unique. Akile Arca is also Dr. Fazıl Küçük’s sister. The mansion is located across from the Dr. Fazıl Küçük Museum.

Image by http://hotelvalidehanim.com/

Akile Arca settled into the mansion after she married and was known for her hospitality. She lived out her years with her husband Turgut Arca, 3 daughters and 1 son at this mansion. This mansion carries many memories for the people of Samanbahce and Nicosia therefore her great grandchild Sümer Siber, and her husband Cemal Gülercan decided to open the boutique hotel for local and foreign tourists in order to relive the old Nicosia lifestyle and its memories. During the restoration, stories of the siblings living at the mansion were told, and furniture used at the mansion was individually handled carefully. The restoration was completed with great care and devotion.

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The mansion has 7 rooms. Two rooms look onto Girne Street and the Antique Kyrenia Door, the others on the other hand look onto the inner court and Samanbahçe area.