By: Robin Catalano
Catalano’s work has appeared in National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, TIME, Smithsonian, Conde Nast Traveler, AFAR, Hemispheres, Robb Report, Fodor’s, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Insider, Boston Globe, Albany Times Union, and more. A member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Federation of Journalists.
Over the rattle-pop of the roulette wheel and the quiet whirring of a corner slot machine, an elegant woman in an ivory silk slip dress double-taps the felted green table with two manicured fingers of one hand. With the other, she tucks a strand of wavy raven hair behind one ear as her companion, a sun-kissed man in breezy pale celadon linen, salutes her with a jewel-toned glass of port. The dealer flicks a new card atop her jack of spades and five of hearts: the four of diamonds. A murmur of approval erupts around the blackjack table as the dealer sweeps away his own losing hand and slides another stack of chips into her square.
You’d be forgiven for thinking the scene was unfolding in Monte Carlo, a longtime Mediterranean haunt of high rollers, yachting enthusiasts, celebrities, and assorted glitterati. Instead, this is Kaya Palazzo (kayahotels.com), one of a fizzy new breed of resort casinos in Northern Cyprus that seek to capture the same influential set with high-stakes entertainment, easy luxury, and the throwback glamour of a James Bond film.
The European gaming market now exceeds $100 billion annually, up 8 percent since before the pandemic, and brick-and-mortar casinos like Kaya Palazzo in the coastal city of Kyrenia are the biggest drivers of the trend. Having made a significant investment in tourism in Northern Cyprus and courted a variety of hospitality brands, Turkiye stands to capitalize on the upswing, with 32 resorts in a region only slightly smaller than the state of Rhode Island.
Kaya Palazzo Resort & Casino is the newest. It reopened last summer after a fleeting pre-pandemic debut and now hosts up to 70,000 guests per year, who flock to Kyrenia for its mix of sparkling beaches, historic sights, modern dining, and lively nightlife. The city is also ideally located for enjoying the island’s best sailing and diving.
The resort, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, was patterned on France’s Palace of Versailles, with a rectilinear design, expansive garden, and sumptuous interiors. King suites (starting at $1,200/night) clock in at 1,300 square feet and are lushly decorated with velvet-upholstered furniture and patterned rugs. Each has an apartment-size living area, window-view jacuzzi tub, and a generously appointed his-and-hers bathroom. Watch the painting-like sunsets from the private balcony, with a bottle of wine and snacks plucked from a 5-tiered dessert tray—which features handmade Turkish delicacies like baklava, helva, chocolate truffles, and Turkish delight studded with pistachios, saffron, or rose petals.
Kaya Palazzo offers upscale amenities, including five a la carte restaurants, serving everything from multicourse Turkish meals to contemporary twists on Italian classics. During the day, reserve a waterfront cabin with an overwater hammock or hitch a ride with the hotel’s fleet of drivers into Kyrenia to visit a medieval castle or shop at designer boutiques. At night, take a twirl around the dance floor of their on-premise disco. Or visit the resort’s exclusive spa, which has an authentic Turkish hammam and a full menu of bodywork and aesthetic services.
Whether you’re seeking the thrill of the tables, the rush of the Mediterranean wind against sails, or a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Kyrenia’s history, immersing yourself in the resort casino scene of Northern Cyprus provides an unexpected way to experience an underrated destination. Thanks to a dose of extravagant Turkish hospitality, it’s easy to escape into a world where every detail is meticulously crafted to leave an impression as indelible as the four diamonds of a winning hand.
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