We booked the Grecian Park, as a last minute holiday. We were just looking for somewhere warm with a nice beach, away from the busy noisy resorts, where we could spend most of the time sun bathing, swimming and generally doing nothing. We were not disappointed, the weather was perfect and the nearby beach reasonably quiet and provided excellent crystal clear water for swimming and snorkelling.
The hotel was situated on the cliff top, which involved a 5minute walk down the cliff path. There were two paths from the hotel, and the one from beside the tennis courts was certainly the easier and better maintained option. We would not have found this a problem with children over the age for 4years, but possibly with younger children needing to use push chairs, it might not be as easy, however the hotel pool and grounds was very 'young child friendly'. Many guests only ever used the pool, and in our opinion missed a lovely beach. The sand was suitable for sand castle building and shallow waters very safe for non swimmers, with lots of fish swimming in close to the water’s edge for children and parents alike to attempt to catch in nets!
The only drawback on the beach was that the sun beds and umbrellas were not free, as they are around the pool. The sun beds were the type that can be taken into the water 'floating sun beds', which apparently cost slightly more than on most beaches and not as comfortable as the standard type. However we compromised and hired one sun bed and then used towels on the sand. At the time of year we stayed (last two weeks in Oct) the beach was not crowded, and there was plenty of room to put your towels if not using the sun beds and umbrellas. However I suspect that at busier times of the year the beach would be more crowded, especially as it is very popular with the locals and ex-pats.
The hotel has ownership of the one and only beach bar, and therefore tended to a little more expensive than bars elsewhere. However it was cheaper than the pool bar in the hotel. Our daily coffee and frappe at the beach bar cost 6.50euros at the beach bar, but 8.00euros at the pool! So whether staying at the pool or down on the beach, I would recommend visiting the local supermarket opposite the hotel and stocking up on drinks. Although the hotel does not allow the consumption of drinks and food purchased elsewhere, we kept Water, Cokes and some Beers in our room, and providing you’re sensible you could easily take a water bottle to the pool, especially for the children.
Our hotel room was well appointed and kept spotlessly clean. The air conditioning could be left on all day so the room was always cool when returning from the beach. We booked an inland view room, and luckily had one which had a partial glimpse of the sea. However I was aware that some people who had inland views were slightly disappointed with the view. The partial sea view and full sea view rooms were identical to ours, but with better views!
We decided not to book a room upgrade, but spent the money on going half board, which we certainly felt was worth it! The food was excellent with plenty of choice, especially at the buffet breakfast. The 3 course evening meal, plus sweets, fresh fruit and biscuits and cheeses, consisted of a choice of two starters, 2 soups and 3 main courses. However vegetarians would struggle to find a suitable main course option. The hotel provided two themed buffet nights, which were extremely popular, and included in the half board option. You could literally stuff yourself silly!!!!
We visited the Japanese Umi restaurant, which you are given an 8euro p.p. allowance for, but it is expensive, but well worth the extra cost (allow about 50-60 Euros extra for two).
There were not many local tavernas (about 3) which limited the choices for B/B customers.
The hotel provided shuttles services to Ayia Napa, which was useful for those wishing to eat elsewhere, but you would have to be well planned as they ran only a limited number of times during the day and evening. We used the late afternoon bus at 3.45pm and came back on the 6.00pm, so we could do some souvenir shopping.
There was a local bus service to Protarus/Paralimi and Ayia Napa, which cost 1.50euros per journey, and that ran approximately every half hour during the day, but you had to walk to the main road (12mins), to ensure catching it. It gets very crowded and can be very hot, but can also be entertaining listening to the drivers ranting and raving at the passengers to move down the bus (we reckoned that the seating capacity was 30 going on 350!!!! and when the drivers think the bus is full they just don't stop to pick any more up).
The hotel had a well equipped fitness room, free to use, and if like us you eat too much each night, you could burn it off before breakfast each morning on the treadmills steppers or bikes! However you must have trainers.
The hotel provides towels, which could be used on the beach.
There were weddings taking place at very regular intervals during our two week stay, and from what I saw the hotel made every effort to make it a day to remember, and the setting were the ceremonies took place was very picturesque, overlooking Konnos Bay.
All in all we were very happy with our stay at the Grecian Park and would definitely return to the hotel; however we were not bowled over by Cyprus as an island. It was very English to say the least. If you have holidayed in Asia, then don't try to compare, as it not anything like the palm fringed beached and diversity of culture. If you like rugged and treeless coastlines,(reminded us of our some of coastline in West Cornwall without the surf) with a small sandy safe bathing beach, then Konnos Bay is ideal and the Grecian Park Hotel is highly recommended for high quality and comfort in all amenities and hospitality.