Riu Cypria Maris Paphos

Lovely hotel

We stayed at this hotel in August. When we arrived we were put in one of the little bungalows on the site. At first we were a little disappointed to find this but they turned out to be very charming set among a winery setting with grape vines, olive press etc. The housekeeping staff added little touches to your room by leaving little messages and arranging your towels into various sculptures.

We must have been there at the same time as one of your other reviewers who mentioned the "unruly children"!!! I know what you meant!!! Did not find this a problem however as this was only for a short time every day at mealtimes. Food was good, hotel, accommodation very clean and tidy. The staff were washing down and cleaning paths etc. every day early in the morning. The pool area was also cleaned regularly. We found the staff to be very friendly. Towels were put on sunbeds very early to get prime spots but did not find this a problem as generally found somewhere even though we did not venture down until 10'ish. The one downside was the noise from the entertainment next door. If you wanted to sit outside on your patio area relaxing in the evening there was quite loud music, voices etc from the hotel next door. as this was outside. One night there did seem to be a competition between them and the music at our hotel (which was more low key to see who was the loudest.) However, I dont really see what you could do about that unless they went inside.

Paphos Harbour is about a 25-30 minute walk from the hotel, but the buses are very frequent and inexpensive. Plenty of bars, etc on the walk down. There is a small bar opposite the hotel where the staff are very welcoming if you do not want to stay in the hotel or go down to the harbour area.

The World Heritage Site was well worth a visit. A trip to the Troodos Mountains is also well worth a visit, either on an escorted trip or if you hire a car. This was our first visit to Cyprus and we would definitely go again.

Not up to much

Just got back from my 1 week stay at the Cypria Maris hotel. Not very pleased with this hotel. It was very clean and only a few staff were friendly. The hotel is not very modern and is in need of updating. The rooms were clean but very out dated with dark Green furniture and walls. The only thing we found nice was the maids, they are very friendly and after cleaning your room they leave your towels in the shape of kissing swans on your bed (see pic) they also left love poems on our pillows everyday (as cyprus is the island of love!!).

We stayed half board and the food was ok, but basic.

The entertainment at the hotel (once a week) is certainly for the over 50's and as my partner and I are in our 20's we cerainly didn't enjoy Bingo every other night at the hotel.

There is also not much entertainment around the hotel either (just one VERY SMALL bar across the road with very friendly staff, we spent some nights there but its quiet). you need to walk towards the harbour area if you want to try some small pubs and resturants.

The sister hotel next door Cypria Bay looked like a very nice hotel, more modern than Cypria Maris and they also have a night club there that we could use but after visiting one night, where we found there to be mostly childrens clubs there so we didnt go back.

The area is very quiet, ten minute walk (maybe more) to a decent bit of night life. however the Cypria maris does have a good standard of entertainment around the pool in the day but only for very young children.

The hotel is right on the beach, but the beach area is small. There is water sports on the beach but we found them to be very expensive.

our overall veiw of this hotel is just ok, but i don't think i would go back there again.

Lovely Gardens at the Riu Cypria Maris

The Cypria Maris is one of about 6 or 7 hotels along a stretch of coast south of Kato Paphos. It appears to have a slightly medieval theme but is clean and comfortable and the food is excellent, although the menu is somewhat limited from the snack bar by the pool. There is however a taverna which has a good menu at lunchtimes, if you didn't fill up from the extensive breakfast buffet. The garden areas at this hotel are beautifully kept and there is plenty of shade from the palm trees and plenty of sunbeds to go round. There is a small beach area with a sun deck and watersports available. There is also a pathway which runs along the beach along this stretch, which makes for a nice jog in the morning or a pleasant stroll in the evening after dinner. The Cypria Maris is next door to its sister hotel, the Riu Cypria Bay, and guests can use the facilities of both hotels. The animation team provide entertainment and activities for all ages to guests of both hotels but you are not hassled if you do not want to join in. Rooms are of a reasonable size and are comfortable. There were always sculptures made out of towels and a little poem left by the housekeeping staff each day when we returned to our room. The only thing I did not like about the hotel was the fact that there are two sittings for dinner - the first starts at 6.30 pm but if you were not in the dining room by 7.45 pm you had to wait until 8.30 pm before you could enter - I would have liked a little more flexibility. There is not a lot in the vicinity immediately outside the hotel - a bar, supermarket, bank and other hotels, but the bus stops regularly outside the next hotel along (Ledra Bay - 2 minute walk away) and only takes about 10 minutes to get into Kato Paphos. There is also a regular bus service to Paphos town where there is a good range of shops (including M & S and Next!). The hotel has ramps to all areas, including the beach, and is very wheelchair-friendly. Lastly, I would have to say that the staff at this hotel are exceptionally helpful and friendly. Would definitely recommend this hotel to all ages.

Fatastic

a great place to stay. food of excellent quality, pool great. the only downfall were the unruly children, but that was the parents fault, the hotel staff tried their best to keep the children in check, but to no avail. would we go back, most definately one of the best hotels i have stayed at.

Lovely hotel shame about the food

This was a last minute holiday and would normally avoid all inclusive hotels in Europe they are not as good as in the caribbean. Willing to give it a go as it was " 4 Star ". The hotel was quite impressive and I would give it 7 out of 10. Unfortunately the food was exceedingly average. The all inclusive local drinks were different to say the least. The local beer was like alcoholic soda water and the vodka had a rather unusual taste. The staff were very friendly, but in the lobby bar be prepared to queue for drinks as there is usually only 1 barman. At the evening meal there was a distinct lack of staff so the tables were not cleared very quickly. The food was cooked fresh in front of you but tended to be rather greasy, not good for people who enjoy a low fat diet! Had to get outside before 8.30 or you wouldnt get a sunbed towels had been laid as early as 6.30! Apart from this we did enjoy Paphos. A visit to the archeological site is a must and there are some very nice restaurants in and around the harbour if you dont like the hotel food. I would return to Cyprus but next time it will be a 5 star hotel and definitely not all inclusive!

Enjoyed our stay, could be better.

Just returned from a week in Cypria Maris (note photo at top of page is sister hotel Cypria Bay). Great relaxing week. Hotel very pleasant, lovely grounds with plenty of sunbeds. Great views and pleasant rooms.

Food generally good (typical buffet style) although dinner lacked variety and that little bit extra you would expect from a 4*. Not sure about the cocktails, they didn't seem to have much alchohol in them. House red wine is great value. Food and drink cost at least the same as the UK, a pint of lager is £2.60 (Sterling) in the hotel.

Can walk to harbour (about 40 minutes) along beach path or along not too busy a road (plenty of shops, hotels, restaurants and bars along the way).

Weather at this time was generally warm with a couple of overcast days, a couple of sunny and the rest a mix of sun and cloud. Wind could be cool. Never needed more than a thin jumper.

If you're looking for a relaxing break this is ideal. No rush to put towels out on the sunbeds, no pool music: just a civilised place. If they improved the dinner and paid attention to the details in the hotel, this would be an excellent place to stay, however I'd still recommend it as it's still pretty good.

P.S. flew with Thompsons and probably the worst flight I've been on: uncomfortable and the crew managed to show the film and serve the drinks and food all in the first two hours. Made the flight feel much longer. Definitely not recommended.

A different view on returning

Returned in October 2004, good rooms, very clean, breakfast fayre was average. Entertainment well below par and waiter service rather lacking in all areas.

Lovely Hotel good facilities but just lacks that something special.

Gorgeous

me and my sister stayed here in september 2004 on a bed and breakfast basis and loved every minute. the hotel is lovely, the staff friendly and helpful and the choice at the buffet breakfast amazing! We stay in the riu chain often and this definitely didnt disappoint.

on arrival we were offered the choice of upgrading to half board at a relatively small cost - an option we wish we had now taken.

just over the road from the hotel is a lovely - and cheap- wine bar and we would recommend the short walk to the nearby 'rib shack' in the evening - try the chicken and steak fajitas - heaven!! There isnt much of a nightlife that we saw but we made the best of what was available.

pahos itself is nice - lots of little shops along the prom and whilst here definitely visit the paphos mosaics - whilst we were her it was free entry for europeans on sundays!

we hired a car for the two weeks which is well worth it as there is so much to see and the road system is easy to follow - if we did it anyone can!! our highlights were:

Paphos Mosaics,

Tombs of the Kings,

Nicossia - shopping! plus divided centre - go up to the top of hermes (we think its their woolworths) where you can see both halves of the city. Nicossia can be hell to try to park / find at all if you are driving yourselves!!

The Kourion

Aphrodites Rock and so much more.

All historical sites are so cheap to get in and you wont be disappointed once you're in there. The more tourist-based ones however can be pricey, paphos bird park is advertised a lot by flyers but cost around £20 - from what i can remember- to get in. Not dear in itself but compared to other things we thought it to be quite pricey. It was fun though and provided shade from the scorching heat (36 degrees some days!)

All in all we would recommend this hotel and cyprus in general and cannot wait to go back ourselves!!! Happy Holidaying everyone XX

First time but not the last

We have just returned after two weeks at the Cypria Bay Hotel. We had originally booked at the sister hotel, Cypria Maris Hotel next door, but we discovered friends were staying at the Bay. We asked the night we arrived if it was possible to move next door and they couldn't have been nicer. We moved over straight after breakfast.

We loved this hotel, the food was fantastic !! and what a choice. I agree with the earlier review, the entertainment was a bit hit and miss but still enjoyable. The resident trio 'Sparkle' were good. The rooms very comfortable, two 3' beds. and everything you need. Beach towels provided, and the room cleaners were excellent, even down to arranging fresh towels into shapes like kissing swans on your bed, and flowers or sweets. The outdoor pool was great and even though the weather was great, we still enjoyed the indoor pool for serious swimming. There is a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, gym. There are plenty of activities too, stretch exercises in the morning, volleyball, boulles, water polo etc. etc.

You never have to search for a sun bed, there are lots of them and if you fancy a bit of shade, there are plenty at the sister hotel under the trees. The small beach is fine and swimming in the sea is safe. There is a water sports centre too, with speed boats, pedaloes, parascending etc.

I would recommend this hotel to anyone, we were half board, and we heard that this hotel is going to be fully inclusive which will not suit everyone. True, it is a bit of a walk to the harbour but not too bad if you enjoy a walk. The bus service is excellent, especially to the daily market which is uphill.

Great for Bed and Breakfast

We have just returned from two weeks at the Cypria Maris, Paphos. This was approximately our seventh visit to Paphos - we have always stayed at the Ledra previously but as this has changed to an all inclusive basis, we opted for the hotel next door, the Cypria Maris so that we could continue to frequent the many good nearby restaurants. The hotel was fine with good service. The only downside was that the decor (despite apparent refurbishment a couple of years ago) is still a bit dated ie bottle green bedroom furniture! The plus side is that the hotel is part of the Riu Group which has recently opened a brand new hotel next door and you can use the facilities of both hotels eg pool, bars etc. We particularly liked a late afternoon Brandy Sour sitting in the Cypria Bay's jacuzzi bar!! Plenty of sunbeds and space in sun or shade and a great deck over the sea where you get a nice breeze. Several good restaurants at "the triangle" 10 mins walk away - do not miss Cavalini (Italian) Gabor (fab French) and Xiang Gong if you like Chinese. We had a really relaxing time, only really venturing out on the bus to Coral Bay (every 15 mins and only 50cents from almost outside the hotel) - try the fish meze at the beach restaurant there for lunch - but only if you're absolutely starving!!!