Our Cyprus Hotel Diaries, Part 2: Seven Nights at Mare Ayia Napa

After four nights in Paphos, Mike and I set off in our hire car for a week at Mare Ayia Napa. We stopped along the way at Aphrodite’s Rock, also known as Petra tou Romiou. According to legend, this is where Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, emerged from the sea foam. It’s a beautiful stretch of coastline, and I’m glad we took the time to see it.

We then stopped for a drink at Petra tou Romiou Restaurant, up on the hillside overlooking the rock. It was getting towards the end of the season, so it was quiet when we visited. We could sit and enjoy that lovely view before carrying on to Ayia Napa.

We found the drive straightforward: Cyprus drives on the left, the roads were good, the signs were clear and the traffic wasn’t too busy.

Mare Ayia Napa sits on the coast between Ayia Napa and Cape Greco. It has direct access to a sandy beach, while Ayia Napa centre is a short taxi ride away. We liked being able to enjoy the resort and beach, then head out to explore when we fancied a change of scene.

With its low-rise buildings, gardens and pathways, the hotel felt almost like a little village. There were lots of places to spend the day, whether we wanted to be in the middle of things or find somewhere quieter.

We stayed All Inclusive in a one bedroom suite with a shared swim-up pool. The lounge and bedroom were spacious, giving us plenty of room to spread out. The bathroom was slightly smaller than the one we’d had at Mare Paphos, but it was still lovely, and the shower was excellent.

We used the swim-up pool regularly. It had a good-sized area to swim in, once I’d gone through my usual routine of dangling my legs in to get used to the temperature before getting straight in!

We spent several days at the hotel’s beach. It has darker sand, shallow water and plenty of parasols. We saw families with younger children enjoying the water, and it was a lovely place to settle in for a few hours.

There are water sports available separately at an additional charge. Mike went kayaking while I watched from a comfortable distance and read my book. Better still, I finally finished it after taking the same book on about four holidays!

We also enjoyed the quieter pool with its swim-up bar. Around the resort, there’s a Splash Park that was well used by the children, along with an indoor pool and spa. For guests who prefer a more active day, the hotel has a changing programme of sports and activities. We saw families with children of different ages during our stay, but there were quieter spaces for adults to enjoy too.

We stayed All Inclusive, and there was plenty of choice around the resort. The Buffet Restaurant served breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a wide variety of dishes in a casual setting. It could feel busy when we went at our usual time, so we started eating a little later. That worked much better for us, especially once we found a quieter indoor seating area.

The All Inclusive dining options also included Nico Italian Restaurant, Estia Local Creative Cuisine for Greek-Cypriot dishes, the beachfront BBBQ, The Burger Club and the adults only Arȯma Mediterranean Cuisine. For something more casual during the day, there was Street Lab Snack Bar, Scoops Gelateria and Grab & Go Snack Bar.

The resort also has Kayō Asian Restaurant and Meat & Salt Steak House. I’d check the current charges and reservation arrangements for these, as well as any limits on the All Inclusive restaurants, before booking. We didn’t eat at every venue, but having so many different options was a real plus.

There was a different feel around the resort as the day turned into evening. We heard singers, a saxophonist and a jazz trio in the bars during our stay, alongside activities for children. The entertainment programme varies, so it’s worth seeing what’s on when you arrive.

Our favourite place to finish the evening was the adults only Sky Lounge. With subdued lighting, a DJ and a chilled, intimate atmosphere, it was a lovely spot to unwind. The staff were wonderful, my espresso martini was excellent and Mike really enjoyed his alcohol-free mojito.

One morning, we headed to Ayia Napa’s harbour and had a delicious breakfast at Molos Seaside Restaurant before wandering around town. The party area was like a ghost town during the day, although I imagine it has a very different feel at night — especially in the height of the summer season!

Another day, we drove out to the Blue Lagoon for some photos, then visited Turtle Bay before stopping for lunch at Nissia Bar & Grill, beside Green Bay Beach. The food was gorgeous, and we loved the setting and atmosphere.

Having the car made it easy to explore beyond the hotel while still leaving plenty of time to relax.

What we enjoyed most about Mare Ayia Napa was the choice. We could spend the day at the beach, have a swim nearer our room, find a quieter pool or join in with whatever was happening around the resort. The Sky Lounge gave us a favourite place to end the evening.

It struck us as a lovely option for families with children of different ages, including multigenerational groups and single parents travelling with children. Couples can also find places to slow down and enjoy time together.

If you’re considering Ayia Napa and would like to know more about the hotel or the area, I’d be happy to share what we experienced and help you decide whether it’s right for your holiday.

Next stop: Protaras. Read part three of our Cyprus hotel diaries here