The Landmark Nicosia, Autograph Collection

If you’re from Nicosia, you know that the "Old Hilton" was basically the living room of the city. Everyone has a story there—a wedding, a big business deal, or just a coffee in the lobby. Walking into the new Landmark (Autograph Collection), I was honestly worried they’d ***** the soul out of it, but they’ve actually done the opposite. It feels like the hotel finally grew up and found its cool side. The Vibe: Retro-Cool meets High-End Luxury The first thing you notice is that it doesn’t feel like a cookie-cutter Marriott. It’s got that Autograph Collection "personality." * The Look: It’s super chic. They’ve kept the iconic 1960s architecture but filled it with warm woods, gold accents, and really moody, beautiful lighting. It feels like a set from Mad Men if it were filmed in the Mediterranean. * The Connection: I loved seeing the little nods to the past. It’s modern, sure, but it still feels like The Landmark. It’s got that weight of history behind it that makes it feel way more special than a brand-new building. My Favorite Parts * The Rooms: Finally, Nicosia has rooms that feel like a proper Five-Star hotel. The beds are dangerously comfortable (standard Marriott excellence there), but the decor is what wins—very "quiet luxury" with amazing textures. * The Social Scene: It’s actually fun to hang out here again. Sitting at The Orangery for a coffee or a glass of wine feels like you’re at the center of the city. And they will have Sumosan right there? It’s a total flex for Nicosia’s food scene. * The Pool Area: It doesn’t feel like you’re in the middle of a busy capital. The way they’ve redone the gardens and the pools makes it feel like a mini-escape to Limassol, minus the hour-long drive. The Service This is where you really feel the Marriott influence. In the past, service in the city could be a bit hit-or-miss, but here, everyone is on their A-game. They’re friendly, they remember your name, and they actually seem proud to be working in such a beautiful space. The Bottom Line It’s the perfect "glow-up." It’s still the icon we all grew up with, but it’s been reimagined for 2025. It’s sophisticated, a little bit "extra" in the best way possible, and honestly, it’s exactly what Nicosia needed to feel like a modern European capital.

The worst part was having to leave. I've never been to Cyprus before and was overwhelmed by the kindness of the people I met and the incredible food. When I arrived, I met Costa and Jio, I had trouble paying the taxi by card. They staged payment and just put it on my account, no trouble at all. It was nice after a long travel day. Fani was fun and charming, Savos was a wealth of local knowledge and recommendations, Achilles was always there with a smile and a cappuccino. Apologies for misspelled names and the many, many other great staff that befriended me during my stay. To describe it as a palace is an understatement, the gym and pools are impressive, the spa and steam room are really nice. The food was fantastic and I would wake up thinking about breakfast. There are two more restaurants that have not opened yet. I really hope to return. The room was a little warm at night, it was a warm winter and the AC was not on yet. This was an easy remedy by leaving the balcony door open at night. I cannot express how much I enjoyed the experience. It's an impressive resort but the wonderful people are what really make it special.