SENTIDO Cypria Bay by Leonardo Hotels

SENTIDO Cypria Bay is an upper-middle-range family-friendly resort hotel that attracts families on package vacations, primarily from the United Kingdom and Germany. It's housed in a four-story block with whitewashed walls and terra-cotta roofs. Outside, there are large grassy lawns and lots of palm trees, plus a huge pool area with lounge chairs facing the beach. Inside, the lobby is big and bright, with high ceilings and lots of plush gray and bright-blue sofas that reinforce a seaside vibe. There are lots of elevators throughout the hotel, making it good for those with accessibility concerns (or strollers). Note that this hotel normally closes from November through February, but may stay shut until May in 2018 due to renovations. 

This hotel is located right on the beach, with only a boardwalk separating it from the shoreline. Note that like all beaches in Cyprus, the beach here is public, any anyone can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas for a fee. This hotel is located about a 10-minute drive south of both the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tomb of the Kings and the Paphos Archaeological Park, home to crumbling ruins and ancient mosaics. Alternatively, the archaeological park can be accessed on foot via the boardwalk, but the journey takes a good 45 minutes. The Adonis Baths waterfalls are a 45-minute drive from the hotel. It takes about 90 minutes to reach Mount Olympos. Nicosia is also a two-hour drive away. Paphos International Airport is just under 20 minutes from the hotel. The larger Larnaca International Airport takes 90 minutes to reach. 

The hotel has a variety of room types, all with balconies, mini-fridges, kettles, and safes (for a fee). The majority fall into the standard Double Room category and measure 19 square meters (205 square feet). These units have either inland, side-sea, or sea views and all come with two single beds pushed together (though doubles mattresses can be arranged on request in some cases) with the option of adding one rollaway bed. Studios measure around 32 square meters (345 square feet) and can thus accommodate two additional rollaway beds but are otherwise similar to their Double Room counterparts. Twenty-six-square-meter (280 square-foot) Family Rooms feature two additional beds for kids in a curtained-off area between the main sleeping areas and the balconies. Junior and Loft Suites can sleep up to four adults. Decor is more or less the same across categories, with light walls paired with dark-gray and turquoise accents and polished stone floors. Bathrooms are compact, with granite countertops, small hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors. About half of the bathrooms have walk-in showers; the other half have shower/tub combos. 

Features were designed around family vacations. The star feature is arguably the large lagoon pool, with a sloping beach-style entry fountain feature, a set of double bridges, an elevated wade-up bar section, and an adjacent kids' pool. There are also tons of lounge chairs and parasols, with more available down on the beach. Other leisure features include two tennis courts, beach volleyball, mini-golf, and an outdoor kids' club with a playground. 

Inside, there's a fitness center with weights, cardio equipment, and a steam room, plus a heated indoor pool and a huge whirlpool hot tub. Regular fitness classes are included in rates. However, the fitness center has limited hours and closes for lunch. Animation for kids and adults is held throughout the day, and outside entertainers such as singers and dancers come six days a week to provide evening entertainment, though it can be a bit loud at times. There's no spa, but guests can access the facilities at the sister hotel next door (Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Beach Hotel & Spa), where there's a spa with fish pedicures and a salinity pool, among other treatments. 

This entire hotel is all-inclusive with meals served buffet-style in the main Semeli Restaurant, along with late night snacks at the Lobby Bar. The food is of good quality and the menus are varied, with regular themed nights and even a special kids' buffet with simple foods suitable for picky younger guests. Alcohol and fruit juice are included in the package, but bottled water is not. Room service and a la carte menus are available for a fee. There's also an "Ultra All-Inclusive Golden Ring Package" that includes a whole host of extras, including spa discounts, personal training, a free fish pedicure, and premium spirits, plus a free meal at the hotel's a la carte Thalassa Restaurant. 

Other facilities include a shaded area for playing boules, a game room with a pool table, air hockey, and arcade games, and a lobby gift shop with beachwear and snacks. Babysitting and laundry services are available on request. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There's plenty of free on-site parking.