Alion Beach

At noon there was no chance of a rest, with a dance bar next door throwing especially loud parties. Even in the stifling late-August heat, the hotel didn’t provide mineral water, and a small bottle cost 4.5 euros. Poolside tables and chairs were reserved for restaurant guests with advance bookings, so we couldn’t just sit there. We also chose full board, but found it didn’t really cover the food: most items at the restaurants and pool bar came with a big extra charge. Breakfast was basic and nowhere near what I’d expect from a five-star hotel. We booked because of the good rating, but as someone who knows Cyprus, I and my family were very disappointed. It’s expensive, and I wouldn’t recommend it for families. For the same price, you can treat yourself without all the extra costs.

I’ve stayed at some very good hotels, and this is one of the best. Everything was perfect, and the staff were professional, friendly, kind, welcoming, warm, and helpful. We’ll definitely come back.

The beach is sandy and fairly quiet, with assigned seating so you can choose where to sit. Breakfast was great too. I originally booked four nights at Alion, but loved it enough to extend my stay to six. The staff were wonderful, attentive and helpful without hovering. The rooms are smaller and less luxurious than at similar European hotels, but they’re functional, and you spend most of your time outside at the beach anyway.

We made good use of the pool, especially on windy days when it gave us a bit of shelter. We also had lunch by the pool each day. In the evenings, there was live music on the terrace after dinner. We chose half board, with breakfast and dinner buffets, and both impressed us. Each evening had a different theme and plenty of variety. The staff were lovely, quick, and welcoming to our toddler, always going the extra mile. They even made a whole cake for my husband’s birthday. Before we arrived, they answered my questions quickly about travelling with our 2,5 year old. On arrival, we had a room overlooking the sea and palm trees. Fresh beach towels were provided daily, and every room had an umbrella and two beach chairs allocated on the grass in front of the hotel. You could also walk to the beach and rent an umbrella and chairs there at a very reasonable rate. We had a fantastic stay at Alion in May.