The Old Monastery has watched over the village of Lapta for more than 120 years — a place of rest, refreshment and inspiration between the Kyrenia mountains and the blue Mediterranean.
In its time it has been a police station in Ottoman days and a monastery for the monks who tended St Luke's church across the lane. From 1953 it was the home of the architect Pearce Hubbard — a friend of Lawrence Durrell, who wrote 'Bitter Lemons' about the Cyprus he loved. Tastefully restored, it still carries the charm and nostalgia that brings guests back year after year.
Liz and Richard bought the property in 1979 and made it their own. The turquoise pool at the heart of the cloister was dug out entirely by hand — one man, a pickaxe and a wheelbarrow, over six months — so the old walls would not be disturbed. The land behind was cleared (and 92 snake nests with it) to build the Olivia and Palm blocks, bringing the retreat to eight homes and thirty beds around a new courtyard that joins the new buildings to the old.
In 2013 the property passed to their son Peter and his wife Georgia, keeping it in a family that has loved Cyprus since 1981. With Kim and Wini, who cared for it for ten years, they have kept an atmosphere of peace that guests feel the moment they arrive. Last year they celebrated their own son's wedding — seventy guests in the old courtyard, with flowers, music and dancing.
North Cyprus is still fairly untouched: beautiful, with 330 sunny days a year, wonderful food at fair prices and a village of restaurants, barbers and markets a short walk away. We would be delighted to welcome you as our guests — do reach out with any questions you may have.
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