Leonardo Crystal Cove Hotel & Spa by the sea

The sea right across from the hotel is clear and calm, though getting to it can be awkward. There’s a paved boardwalk with steps down into the water, but the way to the boardwalk is quite rocky, so bring firm swimming shoes if you plan to swim there. Around the hotel, everything was clean, tidy and well kept. The staff were warm, seemed happy to help, and went out of their way to make things comfortable. There were plenty of loungers, so no need to rush out early to claim one.

The helpful staff made us feel looked after, and the rooms were cleaned every day with fresh towels. The room jacuzzi was amazing, though it costs extra. The outdoor bar was okay, but it wasn’t a swim-up bar, and there was no alcohol in the fridge. Sitting in the jacuzzi gave us a nice sea view and we could watch the boats, but there was also grass and villas in the view, not a sandy beach. The nearby coast is rocky, so bring decent shoes if you’re going for a walk. The location is a bit out of the way, and you’ll need a bus or taxi. Food was nice, but it was buffet style and I’d rather choose from a menu. Little Italy had an extra charge even though the stay was all inclusive. In fact, there’s just one restaurant included, and you have to pay for the upstairs one. Drinks weren’t great for an all-inclusive package either. Premium drinks cost extra, including Smirnoff vodka and fresh beer. The gold ring option added another 200 euros. Cocktails were okay, but it felt like a poor deal. On past all-inclusive holidays, everything was included rather than sold as add-ons. The indoor pool was broken and wasn’t warm. The indoor jacuzzi beside it looked old and dated, and the spa wasn’t much to write home about, with expensive treatments. There was one outdoor pool area and one indoor pool. The lobby TV didn’t have Sky Sports unless you asked, and the room TVs had no Wi-Fi. The pool table was broken and the balls kept getting stuck. Entertainment was okay, just singers every night.

I’d pick this hotel again if I came back to that part of Cyprus. The supermarket and bus stop are both close, and frequent bus connections make nearby cities easy to reach. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the rooms were clean, tidied daily, and had air conditioning and the basics for making coffee or tea. Beds were reasonably comfortable, though I thought the pillows could be better. I had no complaints about the stay, and was very satisfied. Good food and a relaxing time made it a good choice for me.

It’s a quiet, relaxing adults-only break with very good value for money on the all-inclusive plan. The hotel is a few kilometres from the centre of protaras, and a taxi costs around 10-11 euro. There’s also a lovely walking route into the centre, about 4 km each way. Half is fully paved and the other half is in good shape. Service was great.