Malama Beach Holiday Village

The Malama Holiday Village has an almost cruise-like atmosphere, with plenty of family-friendly activities, sports facilities, and two large outdoor pools. Lounge areas encircling the pool are lined with sand, so even guests at the pool can maintain a beachy vibe. The grotto-style swimming pool is a real highlight, surrounded by stone and faux stalagmites. Indoors, the lobby is simple and stylish with bare wood, white walls, and clean lines. Brown leather furniture provides a spot to rest.

The hotel’s restaurants, La Piazza and the Seaview poolside restaurant have a cafeteria feel, but provide a convenient option for those who want to stay close to home.

Being off the beaten path gives the Malama a quieter feel, and might make it more appealing to business travelers trying to avoid the tourist hustle of town. The hotel has professional meeting space, though overall the feel of the place is family-oriented.

The Malama manages to feel like a village on the beach -- enclosed and all encompassing -- but the “village” is actually only a few minutes walk to central Protaras, where there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars. That’s where guests will find larger beaches as well. Expect a 40-minute drive from Larnaca Airport. Parking at the hotel is free.

The 166 one-or two-bedroom suites at the Malama are large and sparse. Bedding and furniture is chain-like in decor and fairly dated. There’s little aesthetic, though details like colorful light fixtures, blue floral bed coverlets, and curtains could be seen as an effort for some sense of style. That said, the suites are spacious and come with fully-equipped kitchens, including a two-burner stove (at least), oven, microwave, toaster, and electric kettle. Bathrooms have been recently renovated and are generally a step above the rooms. Each includes a bathtub/shower combination, square sink, and long counter. One oddity, the hairdryer is mounted to the wall in the bedroom. All rooms have private balconies; some overlook the ocean. Technology features are a flat-screen TV and charge for Wi-Fi.

The Malama has a lot to offer. It’s gym is looking worse for wear—old equipment, and almost no cardio machines—but the rest of the spa is modern and well designed. Outdoor cabanas provide beach massages. Its main attraction would be the Cava Amorosa, an indoor pool and relaxation area that is designed to look and feel like a cave, right down to chipped Greek murals on the walls. For those looking for a more active experience, there are tennis courts, squash courts, and water sport rentals at the hotel’s beach. The beach is nothing more than a thin strip of sand, but the blue ocean against the rocky shore remains a beautiful and popular site. The Malama animation team organizes sport and entertainment activities throughout the day, from in-pool exercise classes to musical performances, and the kids' club runs six days a week for kids up to age twelve. Guests can choose a half-board option at La Piazza and the Seaview poolside restaurant with their reservation, or pay by the meal. There's also a small grocery store on-site for those who want to cook in their suites.