Grecian Sands Hotel

Grecian Sands is an upscale, all-inclusive optional resort hotel housed in a six-floor whitewashed building with a sleek white-marble lobby complete with a lovely rectangular fountain feature flanking one end. Just outside the lobby, near the parking lot, is a large smoking area with white sofas, plus a small fountain with lily pads and tropical foliage. However, most of the property's activity takes place around the pool, in the multiple restaurants, or down by the hotel's private elevated beach area, a man-made cliff of sorts with sand and lounge chairs, created as a guests-only alternative to the free-to-the-public beach below (as all beaches in Cyprus are public). This property caters primarily to Germans and Brits, most of whom come here through tour operators. While the summer months are dominated by families and young clubbers, the shoulder season tends to favor older couples. Note that this hotel closes every winter, usually around the end of November, and doesn't open again until early April.

Grecian Sands Hotel is located right on Glyki Nero Beach, on a strip it shares with a few other hotels, just a few minutes' walk from the town's outdoor sculpture park. It's just a short drive from the main strip that runs through the heart of Ayia Napa and a 20-minute walk to the Ayia Napa Monument and the nightlife at The Castle Club (there's also a bus that runs well into the night from the hotel to the strip). Nissi Beach is a 10-minute drive west of the hotel. The scenic Cape Greco National Forest Park takes about the same amount of time to reach, but in the opposite direction. The town of Larnaca -- where the closest international airport is located -- is about 45 minutes away by car. The capital city of Nicosia takes an hour or so to reach.

This resort property has a good variety of room types, from 23-square-meter (248-square-foot) Standard Rooms (with inland, side sea, or full sea views) up to Suites with separate sitting areas and whirlpool hot tubs. Though there are a few older rooms with dark, chocolatey decor, most follow a brighter, more modern decor scheme, with light-wood floors, white walls, and beige accents such as bed runners and marble tabletops. They also feature faux-leather padded white headboards, which tend to show their age with peeling and cracking. All room types come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Most have either two twin beds or one double bed. The 35-square-meter (377-square-foot) Executive Studios add sofa beds and are large enough to accommodate two rollaway beds, making them a good option for families with kids. Bathrooms are consistent across room types, with either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos (it's about a 50/50 split), and some of the older rooms have bidets. 

Grecian Sands Hotel has a whole host of excellent amenities, including a large L-shaped outdoor pool, a small outdoor kids' pool, and a quiet indoor pool in the spa, complete with recessed blue accent lighting. Just next to the indoor pool is a modern fitness center with a decent selection of treadmills and weight-training equipment. There's also a spa with health and skincare treatments, sauna and steam facilities, and a beauty salon for hair and nails. 

Dining options are plentiful, and packages run the gamut from bed-and-breakfast to all-inclusive. The main Cafeteria Calypso restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating, with breakfast buffets and either buffet or a la carte options at lunch. The food is fine, but nothing special, and while there are a few nice Cypriot specials, many of the options tend to be on the fast food/pub fare side of the spectrum. Other dining options include the more formal Ithacka Restaurant, with dinners most nights (a la carte or buffet) plus huge floor-to-ceiling windows with views straight out onto the coast. Alternatively, guests can head up to the top-floor Roof Burger Bar, with gorgeous blue-and-white decor reminiscent of a Moroccan souk. Drinking options include the Sunset Deck/Pool Bar, with a few shaded sea-facing chairs and poolside service of cocktails and snacks. There's also the Ulysses Bar, decorated with lots of glass and marble, and a terrace for hookah. Room service is available, for a fee. 

For families, there's a kids' club open in July and August, but it often stays open later when there's high demand -- it was still open when we visited the property in mid-October. It features both an indoor area with arts-and-crafts and a sandy outdoor playground, complete with an old boat thats been turned into a child-safe play structure. Wedding packages are available, and there's a lovely outdoor pavilion or a chapel for those wanting something religious. Other amenities include a pool table, a grass tennis court, bike rentals, free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, and ample free on-site parking.