Lunch at the merit

[terry2366]

Went to the merit down from the speed camera for lunch today used to be 90 lira lovely lunch with nice wine . As we were leaving they informed us it had now been increased to 200 lira per person. Last time we visit methinks.

[sophie]

HOW MUCH??????? For buffet lunch!!! We used to go a lot, started at 55tl (terrific value), then 75tl - a bit more than usual for lunch, but still good value), then it went to 90tl and it became somewhere to go for a lunch treat. BUT 200tl. As one lovely waiter once told us when we queried the 90tl "they don't really want people like you who just come and have lunch, they only want people who stay and gamble". 200tl will certainly put "people like me" well and truly off!!

[yaliyid]

which merit

[terry2366]

From the golden lady head towards the sea just before the merit that looks like a Walt Disney hotel turn left and it's the first one on the right I think it's called crystal cove.

[13roman58]

Crystal cove is the one that now looks like Disney world the directions that you give are to the merit royal

[silverfir]

I'll just steer clear of all the Merits just to be on the safe side!

[Reyntj]

Its an awful lot of money for north cyprus . I have noticed how all the hotel prices have gone up since i cam here 7 years ago . Not just in tl value but i remember i use to pay £50 per night to stay in the rocks hotel its now more than £100 ( if it was open ) . I can understand prices increasing with inflation and the depreciation of the lira . Kyrenia has become a more expensive place to live with rents property prices restaurants etc all going up in sterling value by on average 50 % the last few years or so . I assume its supply and demand unfortunately its not passed on tonthe all the locals in salaries which havent gone up at the same rate . A lot of the profits are going to wealthy turkish owners in istanbul . Unfortunate but thats life . Theres no way on earth id pay 200 tl for a buffet ive stayed at the merit and the foods ok but not great . A friend of mine who stayed from the uk who travels a lot thought it was really poor and would not bring his family there . On a positive note i can highly recommend a trip to palm beach hotel restaurant in famagusta for lunch . They havent changed the price on the lunch menu for a while . Its a la carte but from memory the mixed grill is less than 50 tl and the wine is not expensive . Its has sea views and very good quality . The mixed grill is one of the more expensive options . for the quality of the restaurant it fairs a lot better to elsewhere certainly compared to a four star buffet for 200 tl !

[Keithcaley]

I agree with Reyntg, the Merit Royal was excellent value at 50 TL, but is now really overpriced - I did suspect that it was to discourage us plebs from going!

I have also heard very good reports about the food and service at the Palm Beach hotel restaurant in Famagusta.

Just as an aside, I believe that part of the Rocks Hotel is still open - it's the section to the left of the 'Reception Building'.

[13roman58]

Lunch at a time merit crystal cove yesterday was 85tl I think you have been charged with the full day

[sophie]

I'll let someone else experiment and then if its not 200tl we might venture back. But I doubt very much if 85tl for a buffet lunch a will entice us back on a frequent basis, lunch time treats maybe. It does look as if staff thought you were on the "spend a day" regime.

[waddo]

Two chicken doner wraps, complete with chips and salad plus unlimited large chi - 26TL, just so you know how the other half live!!! Can't beat it for value and size of serving is perfect, place is always clean and the people are really friendly, what's more you don't even have to dress up to go there.
Free WiFi if you want it and a nice view of the mountains as well, no crowds and you can watch the world go by, ah the simple life I came here for is still alive if you want it.

[geroff]

So where is this wonderful place waddo? ... Or is it guess the answer on a post card ..

[silverfir]

Yes come on Waddo, or are you keeping this little gem so the hordes don't invade?

[waddo]

geroff, "Postcard" - with the delivery service here it would be closed and turned into a shoe shop before you got it - lol.

silverfir, The hordes won't invade - nothing to dress up for, no as much as you can eat, no free booze, cheap plastic (limited) menu card, lucky if anyone speaks English, basic aluminium chairs and tables, allowed to smoke outside without the fag ash police glowering at you - these things tend to keep the hordes away - lol.

Where is it? "Hints" Where do I live? What is my name on this board? It is close by a "Happy" place!!! Go on, get out and find these sorts of places, there are more of them about these days than used to be many years ago and they are modern-ish and clean with happy and friendly staff.

I think the term used to be "Cheap and Cheerful". Enjoy!

[Jemelliot]

went yesterday for lunch was 85tl it was lovely

[terry2366]

Which merit did you go to

[Keithcaley]

...it would be closed and turned into a shoe shop before you got it...

Ah! - the "Shoe Event Horizon"...