Looking for luxury or to bag a bargain? Cyprus has something to suit all clients, says Jeannine Williamson
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Whether clients choose a simple self-catering apartment or splash out on an all-inclusive five-star hotel, one thing will come for free on their holiday and that’s a warm Cypriot welcome.
The other elements of their stay can prove pretty good value too. An extensive refurbishment programme is keeping the island’s hotels at the top of their game, with particular investment in the top-end properties.
Couples can head to sophisticated hideaways in smaller resorts such as Pissouri on the south coast and Latchi in the northwest, while lively Larnaca, with its 15-minute airport transfer, and established Paphos are great choices for families.
An increasing number of operators are also featuring simple village accommodation, providing an authentic taste of Cypriot life. Dedicated wine routes run through the island’s vineyards, where wineries are open for tours and tastings and, between October and February, visitors can help with the orange and olive harvests.
Accommodation in the green and rugged landscape around the Troodos Mountains offers a perfect gateway for all kinds of outdoor activities. All packages below are for seven nights including flights and transfers for departures in August.
Save: Self-cater
A Cypriot night, on-site supermarket and tennis, volleyball and basketball courts are among the fun and practical facilities at Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments.
Set above the bay between Cape Greco and Protaras, the 48 studios sleep up to six and self-catering with Olympic Holidays starts from £512, with bed and breakfast and half-board available for a supplement.
The Evalena Beach Hotel Apartments are located at the end of sweeping Fig Tree Beach, one of the island’s most popular stretches of sand.
Within easy reach of all the entertainment and shopping venues of Protaras, the 74 simple but well-equipped apartments include a kitchenette and are ideal for families and couples on a budget. Jet2holidays’ self-catering lead-in is £469.
For families looking for a smaller hotel, the 46-room, three-star Sveltos Hotel (pictured above) in Larnaca has recently undergone a complete facelift.
Within walking distance of the public beach and close to the town centre, clients can easily check out the resort’s restaurants, tavernas and bars. The hotel has a children’s pool and offers babysitting. Bed and breakfast with Cyplon starts at £556.
Clients who want to live like locals should head for the wine-growing village of Omodos in the Troodos Mountains.
The charming vine-shaded two-bedroom Olga House is situated just off the village square where men play chess over endless cups of coffee and women embroider lace. Sleeping up to five, prices begin at £552 with Olympic Holidays.
Spend: For facilities
Protaras has much to offer midmarket families. Those who want the independence of self-catering will like Brilliant Apartments, where bright, airy units encircle the pool and there’s a playground and kids’ club. Thomson prices start at £763.
The centrally located Tsokkos Protaras Beach is convenient for nightlife but also has a good all-inclusive offering with themed buffets and facilities including pool table, video games, mini-disco and a daily entertainment programme, so would also suit parents travelling with older children. Cosmos Holidays offers all-inclusive stays from £755.
All-inclusive holidays at Macronissos Village Club on the edge of lively Ayia Napa are also great value for families and stays with Olympic Holidays start at £738.
The three-star has extensive sports and leisure facilities – volleyball, football, tennis and a kids’ club – and an evening entertainment programme with barbecues, bingo and karaoke.
For a great all-rounder at the upper end of this segment, take a look at the Adams Beach Hotel (pictured above), which sits on Nissi Beach.
It has an adult-only deluxe wing, a piano bar, sushi restaurant and a spa to cater for couples but there’s plenty on offer for families too – water slides, a games room, kids’ club, pool, disco and play area. Olympic Holidays’ lead-in is £838 on a bed and-breakfast basis.
For couples, families and friends who would prefer to swap hotel facilities for seclusion and self catering, Villa Buffavento occupies a dramatic spot in wooded foothills above Pomos beach, near Polis.
With a private pool, the property sleeps six, from £875 per person through Sunvil, including car hire and flights.
Splurge: Something special
Limassol’s landmark five-star Four Seasons offers a lot of bang for its buck, with tennis facilities, dance lessons, cocktail-mixing classes and live shows.
Set in tropical gardens with a lagoon pool and a private beach, it has a Shiseido spa and four restaurants. Part of Travel 2’s Simply Luxury Short Haul range, bed and breakfast starts at £1,169.
Also in the Travel 2 collection is the sophisticated 189-room Almyra in Paphos, with half-board from £1,029. Couples can relax in romantic waterfront wave suites that showcase harbour views from candlelit rooftop terraces.
Families are also extremely well-catered for both here and at sister property Annabelle (pictured above) next door (from £979 half-board) – with kids’ and teens’ clubs, and Baby Concierge and Baby Go Lightly services so parents can order their children’s essentials online in advance rather than take it all with them.
The former Amathus Paphos has undergone a full refurbishment and reopens in June as the 276 room Olympic Lagoon Resort. Facilities for families include kids’ pools with water slides, kids’ and teens’ clubs, mini-disco, early dining parties and baby packs.
However, its adult-only pools and bars, plus adult-only daily activities and a spa, cater to couples with and without children equally well. Thomas Cook’s all-inclusive lead-in starts at £1,185.
After a decade under the flag of InterContinental, the newly branded Sensatori Aphrodite Hills Resort Hotel reopens in May as part of Thomson’s luxury collection.
New facilities at the 290-room hotel include swim-up rooms, family rooms and an adult only pool area. There are tennis and volleyball courts, an archery range, a dance studio and golf course, plus a spa, kids’ club and evening entertainment.
As well as four restaurants on the property, more in the nearby square offer residents discounts. All-inclusive stays start at £1,021.
Tucked away from the larger hotels is Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri Bay, a five-star, all-suite hideaway that has welcomed celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Piers Morgan.
The 95 suites are in low, terracotta-roofed buildings, and restaurants include Apollo, a stylish take on a typical Cypriot taverna with live music. There’s a spacious spa and a wedding chapel with a beautifully painted interior. Classic Collection offers full-board stays from £2,858.
Play three ways
Save: Watch the sun set over Aphrodite’s Rock, a beautiful spot where the legendary goddess of love is said to have risen from the waves.
Price: £0
Spend: With exciting slides and a relaxing lazy river, it’s easy to spend a day at Ayia Napa’s WaterWorld Park, Europe’s largest water theme park.
Price: £36 for adults and £21 for children with Attraction World
Splurge: Sail away on an all-inclusive luxury catamaran cruise from Limassol. The adult-only excursion includes hotel transfers, lunch, unlimited drinks and stops for swimming and snorkelling.
Price: £70.75 through Travelcube
