First timers to Cyprus and to a Thompson gold hotel. When we arrived we was greeted by a lovely man on reception. There was tea/coffee and cake and sandwiches provided for us even though it was 1.30 in the morning. Our bags were taken to our room while we had our tea and had a little look around. The first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. The bar was closed and most of the place was in darkness.
Our room was on the 3rd floor and we had a fantastic view of the pool area and the beach and sea. There was plenty of room and ample storage space, take a few hangers with you if you are going for 2 weeks. Spare pillows and blankets ? also provided. Nice little balcony where you could watch the entertainment in ...
the evening if you can\'t drag yourselves downstairs haha.
Nice clean bathroom, towels changed if you leave them in the bath. TV, but only one english channel, BBC news, and you have to pay if you want the remote control ????. You also have to pay for the fridge in the room, which I found very strange. You really do need it for water etc. There is a safe, something else you have to pay for, and they will provide tea/coffee making items for, yes, you guessed it, a small charge.
We both found the food to be top class. Plenty of choice for breakfast and evening meal. heard a few moans about the food being the same ?, not quite sure what some people expect. Never had the same thing twice while we was there. OK, it was beef, lamb, pork and chicken but cooked differently each time. There was also pancakes and omelettes cooked while you waited in the mornings. You do have to pay for any drinks you have with your meals, and I don\'t think they save them till the next night as I saw people leave the restaurant with thier bottle of wine.
The staff are fantastic, from the cleaners to Tassos the manager. I was told that the people in Cyprus are the most friendly and I cannot dissagree. They also work really hard. George the restaurant manager was there serving breakfast and still there serving dinner in the evening. There is a lunch menu, and you can swap an evening meal for a lunch time one if you want.
The entertainment was really good. Tamera must be the hardest working person I have ever met. She was there doing water areobics at 11am and still there at midnight. Daytime entertainment is the usual, boules, darts, table tennis etc, and absolutley no pressure to join in from anyone. My husband and I did the quiz everyday (never won once ?). Evening entertainment was good. We saw a couple of good double acts and a really good comedian. The reps put on a show and also Tamera and Helen and the regular duet, Twos Company, also do various shows. Don\'t expect a Broadway production and you won\'t be dissapointed. Cannot fault how hard everyone works and after all it\'s only a bit of fun.
The location of the hotel is fantastic. There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby,with entertainment, so there is no need to stay in the hotel every night. Its about a 20 min walk to the center of Ayia Napa, and there are the usual souvenir shops along the way.
We only went into town once, I must be really honest and say I hated it. It got louder and louder as you got towards the square. There are people going up and down on peds and quad bikes, and the place was packed.
I must have a big moan to end with.............sorry !,
something has to be done about the sunbed situation. We was there for 4 days before we got a sunbed near the pool. Thank God, we love the beach, and it is literally 2 minutes from the back of the hotel. You have a chance of a bed on Sundays and Wednesdays as these are the change over days. I had to have a moan to the management, and the reps and they both said that it is a problem but they don\'t know what to do about it. While we was there a note was given to guests about reserving beds and that towels would be removed if the beds were not used, although I never saw it happen. I was siting on the balcony just after 6 one morning and lost count of how many people put thier towels down. It really does drive me mad. I think it is so selfish.
Finally a big thank you to the wonderful Andy and Clive, the Thompson reps. We had booked to go on the VIP catamaran trip (thoroughly recommended, expensive , but worth every penny)and I was unable to go as I was not well (too much sun)they changed the day with no questions asked, and even phoned us in our room to confirm the new date.
I would recommed the Tasia Maris, nice not having any children there, lovely location, great staff, great food, spotlessly clean.
Read MoreTour Operator: Thompson
Recommended: Yes