Hotel Faros

The resort's trendiest bars, the fishing port and its host of fish restaurants, the shops, and the historic town of Ayia Napa are all within walking distance. The Faros is located at the heart of the island's party capital, its location being its main asset. Larnaca airport is 25 mi away, with a transfer time of 40 minutes.

The Faros is particularly popular among British, German and Russian tourists. It is well located for those who want to party but is nevertheless a relatively quiet hotel that attracts both young people and families.

The hotel's 96 Standard guest rooms are housed in a single solid three storey building. Inside, everything is centred around a large central patio topped with a glass ceiling, making it brighter and more pleasant than you might think from the outside. The hotel opened in 1995 and was expanded in 2001 when an extension of 34 more luxurious guest rooms, christened the 'Garden Suites', with direct pool access and was opened. The pool itself is huge, to the extent that it takes up all of the outdoor space here, but then it does incorporate a paddling pool, a whirlpool bath, hydromassage jets and a pool bar so you can relax with a drink as the water laps around you. A good number of deck chairs and parasols are also provided at the poolside. Once you're happy with the day's tanning efforts, you might fancy checking out the gym and massage room, complete with sauna and hammam, though you wouldn't really want to spend hours here. For those who like to keep active, gym, aqua aerobics, step aerobics and aerobics classes are provided by an instructor who speaks both English and German. If all that sounds too strenuous though, why not pop along to the outdoor playground with the children or enjoy a game of pool or ping-pong?

The hotel's 96 Standard guest rooms are housed in the main building, and 'Standard' couldn't be more appropriate. With functional furniture, minimalist decor, carpeted floors, a patterned bedspread, a balcony, an empty mini bar, a free safe, a television broadcasting many channels, and a bathroom complete with a bathtub, the only thing lacking from what you would traditionally expect to find is the hair dryer, which can be borrowed from reception, and the hospitality products in the bathroom, so don't forget your shampoo! With regards to the view, despite the fact that this is not a beachfront hotel, some of the guest rooms do offer good views of the pool and the sea (for a supplement). Otherwise, you'll find yourself overlooking the car park or the street.

With just one restaurant for 130 guest rooms, the Faros isn't particularly well-equipped when it comes to dining. Having said that, the dining room is large and has a terrace running most off the way along it for those who wish to dine outdoors under the pergola at the poolside. The hotel serves a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a rather limited choice of dishes on offer at each meal. The theme changes every night of the week, ranging from perhaps a Cypriot buffet to a barbecue, from Tex-Mex to Mediterranean, etc. An à la carte menu is also available. In terms of decor, the room is rather neutral and light, though the small tables designed for 4 people mean that it is possible to have a little privacy. You'll also find real carpet on the floor, which is rather original.

The closest beach to the Faros is 200m away and like all those in this resort town, it is a public beach, where a deck chair and parasol set can be hired for just over 2 pounds a day. Be aware, though, that just like Nissi Beach a little further along, this one also gets very busy and attracts hordes of young party animals on holiday in Ayia Napa. The waters are clear, the sand pleasant and the bars just a stone's throw away....and within hearing distance!