How do you choose a hotel in Cyprus?

Choosing the right hotel is one of the key elements of a good holiday. It’s no secret that a hotel’s advertised category does not always live up to guests’ expectations in practice. This often results in tourists leaving dissatisfied, which reflects badly on the island as a whole. To help guests navigate this issue, let’s highlight a few key factors. So, what should you look out for when choosing a hotel in Cyprus?

1. Entertainment or peace and comfort?

To begin with, it’s worth deciding what sort of holiday you’re planning – for example, whether you’re looking for lively bars, clubs and restaurants, or whether you’re seeking a more secluded stay. Young, active people may find even the most comfortable hotel with a high standard of service rather dull. For example, hotels such as the 5* Elisium, the 5* Aphrodite Hills, and the Columbia Hotel Resort 5*, whilst appealing to those who appreciate a sophisticated holiday, are unlikely to appeal to those seeking entertainment, as they are situated a considerable distance from Cyprus’s city centres (around 20–30 km from Paphos and Limassol).

2. Meals at the hotel and elsewhere

Consider which meal plan you prefer. Most hotels in Cyprus operating on an ‘all-inclusive’ basis also offer other options (‘breakfast only’, half-board or full-board). If there are a significant number of bars and restaurants near the hotel, it makes sense to opt for ‘breakfast only’, as even the most varied hotel meals can, for example, two weeks, will start to get monotonous, and guests often complain that the menu isn’t changed often enough. And if, on top of that, you want to experience traditional Cypriot cuisine rather than the hotel version, it’s better to head to the local tavernas in the city centre or, better still, take a trip into the mountains, which will not only provide you with a true gastronomic delight but also introduce you to the way of life and traditions of modern Cypriots. If necessary, you can pay extra for full board directly at the hotel.

3. The grey and golden sands of Cyprus’s beaches

You should carefully check the information about the beaches near your hotel. If you’re specifically looking for a beach holiday and you’re a fan of fine, golden sand, then a detailed description of the hotel’s beach will be useful to you. For example, in Limassol, most hotels are situated near sandy and pebbly beaches with sand of volcanic origin. Emerald-blue waters and golden sand can only be found on the beaches of Protaras or Ayia Napa. It is here that Cyprus’s most famous beaches are located – Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa and Fig Tree Bay in Protaras, which are something of a calling card for Cyprus.

In the centre of Paphos, even the beaches at four- and five-star hotels are small and rather stony, and in many hotels the sun loungers are not situated directly on the beach, but on green lawns, which may disappoint those who like to sit on the sand by the water, and can also cause some difficulties for families with young children. The locals themselves often prefer beaches outside the city (Kurion Beach, Governor’s Beach, Lady’s Mile near Limassol, Coral Bay, Lara Beach near Paphos). As a rule, city beaches – with the exception of those in Ayia Napa and Protaras – are not particularly popular with Cypriots.

4. Staying connected!

If it’s absolutely essential for you to stay connected at all times, do take note of holidaymakers’ reviews regarding internet access, as not all hotels in Cyprus offer Wi-Fi throughout the premises and in the rooms. Of course, large 4*–5* hotels do provide internet access, but the connection speed may seem slow compared to what Russians are used to.

In some hotels (particularly 3* hotels), internet access may only be available in the reception area, bars and restaurants, as well as other ‘hubs of hotel life’. Some hotels charge an additional fee for Wi-Fi (around 2–3 euros for 12 hours or 15–20 euros per week).

5. Children need entertainment and company

For families with children, it is important to check whether the hotel has a kids’ club. It is also advisable to read reviews from guests who have previously stayed there. In many hotels in Cyprus, not enough attention is paid to entertainment. This applies not only to children’s activities but also to programmes for adults. The ‘Turkish-style’ entertainment is offered in very few hotels here.

For example, among the hotels in Limassol that stand out for their high-quality entertainment programmes, the St. Raphael 5* and the Mediterranean Beach 4* are worth mentioning, as they organise a varied programme for both children and adults throughout the day.

Among the hotels in Paphos, the Aphrodite Hills 5* and Elisium 5* offer good entertainment programmes. It’s also worth making sure that the hotel you’ve chosen is popular with other couples with children. Otherwise, your child may get bored if they can’t find anyone to play with, and you’ll end up having to organise your own entertainment programme, which is unlikely to allow you to relax properly yourself.

6. The specifics of the off-season

Take note of the season in which you’re planning your holiday. For example, from November to the end of April, many hotels close for refurbishment, and popular summer resorts such as Protaras or Ayia Napa are virtually deserted during the winter months.

If you’re planning to let your hair down in lively clubs and at night-time discos, you might end up disappointed if you take advantage of special low-price offers during the winter months. The main tourist season in Cyprus runs from 1 May to 31 October, so before and after this period, many restaurants and beach bars may simply be closed. At the same time, in Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca, even in winter, holidaymakers can find plenty of entertainment and interesting activities both during the day and at night. Therefore, when planning a trip in the off-season, it’s best to focus on these resorts.

7. Heated swimming pools

Guests wishing to use a heated swimming pool during their holiday should bear in mind that only a few Cypriot hotels offer this facility. For example, in Limassol, heated pools are only available at the Grand Resort 5*, Appolonia Beach 5* and Kanika 3*. Although most 4–5-star hotels have indoor swimming pools, even in the largest of them these pools are quite small.

8. Conclusion

So, when choosing a hotel in Cyprus, decide on your priorities – specifically, what matters most to you: proximity to the centre, a heated swimming pool, a sandy beach, a high standard of service, a varied entertainment programme, peace and quiet, high-quality catering and a certain variety of fruit on the restaurant menu… Then carefully study the descriptions and reviews of the hotels, making your choice based on the most important factors. After all, if you don’t feel comfortable, you won’t be able to fully appreciate the island’s charms.