Just back from a 6 night 10k points per night stay at the Hilton Park Nicosia in Cyprus .... and it was absolutely fantastic.

We're Diamonds and still looking for some special treatment, even though the stay was "free" ... and we got it

Upgraded to what some hotels call a junior suite ... a bigger room; free breakfast (although this only after reminding them about the rules - twice!); and daily snacks/water in the room. This started with a bottle of champagne on arrival along with canapes, then a bottle of white wine with chocolate based snacks, then a bottle of red wine wine with snacks, and then most unexpected a full size chocolate birthday cake with "Happy Birthday Mr Travel the World" written on it ... err, 7 months early!

The hotel has a new gym/spa that is so new that it's not mentioned on hilton.com, although it is on hilton.co.uk, and it's got the latest equipment, although it's open to locals so is busy in the evenings. Spa costs extra though.

Pool is very nice, with comfortable loungers.

The hotel is on the outskirts of Nicosia about 2 miles to the city centre, which isn't a bad walk in the sunshine, past a Starbucks and a Tommy Hilfiger shop ... check out the prices there, Americans will be shocked. Generally Cyprus is not cheap for clothes etc, although eating out is good value. Starbucks expensive compared to local restaurants.

There's a fantastic restaurant near the hotel, called Plaka, which serves Meze, we stopped counting at 28 dishes ... don't go there unless you are very, very hungry. But also don't miss it.

Afternoon tea at the hotel is also good (Satrurday/Sunday/Wednesday) about CYPŁ5.50 ... but you'll need a sweet tooth !!
Buffet breakfast very good as well.

We didn't travel much around the island, although I wouldn't have any problems driving there. We did cross the border in to "the Turkish occupied area" or "Turkish Northern Cyprus" depending on which side of the border you are. Stark difference, western and Orthodox Christian versus eastern and Muslim, but OK for tourists - weather was the same

Now what really made the stay: the hotel staff ... these are as good as any at any Hilton hotel, up to the standard of the Rome Cavalieri. We were greeted by name at the restaurant: Mr Travel the World and Mrs Travel the World ... a nice touch. But everywhere the were friendly and courteous.

Looking forward to our next stay (which will be on points again - an absolute bargain!!)