Bathed in year-round sunshine and steeped in mythology, Cyprus is where ancient history meets laid-back Mediterranean living. From its golden beaches and rugged coastlines to mountain villages and lively tavernas, this beautiful island has a way of drawing in every type of traveller. Whether you’re here for the culture; think Byzantine churches and Roman mosaics, or simply to unwind with mezze by the sea, Cyprus offers a rich, soulful escape just a short flight from the UK. Add to that its warm hospitality and glorious climate, and it’s easy to see why Cyprus deserves a spot on every traveller’s wish list.
Nowhere captures this spirit better than the Mare Resorts collection. Their two standout properties, Mare Paphos and Mare Ayia Napa, are a perfect showcase of modern Mediterranean style, thoughtfully tailored to two very different moods and locations. On a recent visit to Cyprus, I decide to check out both, figuring it’s a good way to see two well-known areas in one holiday.
Mare Paphos: History, Elegance, Serenity
Set just moments from Paphos’s ancient archaeological treasures and buzzy marina, Mare Paphos offers a calm, serene base for those seeking a home away from home. The hotel’s clean-lined architecture and pared-back interiors invite relaxation, with soft neutral interiors mirroring the Cypriot landscape. Guests can spend the morning exploring nearby UNESCO sites before retreating to the spa or indulging in dinner on the terrace, where local ingredients take centre-stage. The atmosphere here feels intimate and grown-up, a perfect match for culture seekers and those looking for understated elegance and proximity to one of Cyprus’s most historic towns. I begin my break here, staying in a beautiful (and newly renovated) suite with a shared pool. It’s huge; first up is a sitting room with stylish curved grey sofa and armchair and curved coffee table. It’s the perfect setting for reading a magazine or watching tv when the sun gets too hot, and the bedroom is home to an enormous, comfortable bed. We arrive at night, so it’s a joy to wake up early in the morning to realise that our view is of the bright blue Mediterranean Sea. To take a dip in there, in our own pool, or in the main resort pool? Decisions, decisions…
We have other tough choices to make though, and that’s all to do with our stomachs. The hotel’s array of restaurants is impressive. Breakfast is served buffet-style in the main restaurant. Lunch and dinner can also be taken here, with a wide selection of healthy dishes, allergy conscious items and local specialties, all complemented by a wide variety of theme nights from around the world for dinner. There are also four à la carte restaurants such as Italian Nico and Cypriot Estia, as well as more casual pool-side options. Families are well catered for in terms of food and entertainment, and the After Dark lounge hosts fun nights of music, magic and more.
We are here to explore though, and luckily for us the hotel can organise all sorts of trips and tours. We are keen to try some of the local wine and head out to visit some local makers. First up is a taste of Cyprus’s modern wine scene; Fikardos Winery. Family-owned and located just outside Paphos, the winery blends tradition with innovation, producing expressive wines that celebrate indigenous Cypriot grapes like Xynisteri and Maratheftiko alongside international varieties.
We have a tour and enjoy generous tastings, learning from the owner’s son how the island’s unique terroir, sun-soaked hillsides and cooling coastal breezes, shape every bottle. We buy a bottle of our favourite along with some olive oil and jump back into our car (driver waiting, so we don’t need to spit out our wine!) Located near the village of Stroumpi, just a short drive from Paphos, Kamanterena Winery, our next stop, is one of Cyprus’s most established wine producers and part of the island’s largest winemaking cooperative. Known for its beautiful vineyard views, it’s an ideal place to sample a wide range of Cypriot wines. With fun chairs carved out of wine barrels and a lively and knowledgeable host who has us trying not just wine but spirits too, it’s a fun experience.
By now we are in need of some sustenance other than wine, bearing in mind all this imbuing has taken place pre-lunch. Tucked away in the quiet hilltop village of Amargeti, the charmingly named Spring of Life Forever is a rustic taverna where long, lazy lunches are almost compulsory. Beneath a canopy of vines, we are treated to authentic Cypriot cooking: tender kleftiko, bright Greek salads and grilled halloumi. On the way back we divert to12th Century Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery, one of Cyprus’s hidden gems. Surrounded by vineyards and offering sweeping views of the Troodos Mountains, it’s a peaceful escape and we admire beautifully preserved frescoes and taste locally produced wines from the monastery’s own cellar.
Back at the hotel there is plenty of fun to be had at the huge waterpark; kids can be water babies for hours at end, and there is plenty of dry land entertainment for all ages too. We’re happy at the pool-side bar though, enjoying cocktails and the remaining hours of sunshine.
Mare Ayia Napa: Sun, Sand and Style
Over on Cyprus’s southeastern coast, Mare Ayia Napa embraces a more vibrant energy, and after our time relaxing in Paphos, we are ready to pick up the pace. Steps from one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, this sleek contemporary hotel combines barefoot luxury with beach club glamour. The design here is bold and playful: modernist pool terraces, statement lighting and sea views from almost every room.
By day, it’s all about lounging by the pool or sea with a cocktail in hand; by night, Ayia Napa’s legendary nightlife is on the doorstep if you want it. On our first evening we stay put for a sunset supper at the hotel’s buzzy terrace restaurant and head up to the Sky Lounge for cocktails and DJ set. The hotel is bringing the area’s party vibe straight to us, and it’s perfect. We wake in another stunning suite, also decorated in neutral, stylish tones, with its own kitchenette, so perfect for those days when you want to relax on your own pool-side terrace. We do venture out of the resort on one day though, when the hotel offers us a luxury yacht experience. Pretty difficult to turn this down, we have a blissful afternoon dipping in and out of the sea and sipping on sparkling wine in the sunshine.
Dining options are again, superb. From pizza deliveries to your room, or even pizza-making workshops, through smash burgers, Asian cuisine, a beach barbeque… even the buffet offering has the most impressive array of salad choices I’ve ever seen. It’s just as well the hotel has a gym and exercise classes, as well as a spa, otherwise it would be very easy to spend every waking hour eating and drinking.
For travellers who want it all, these two Mare properties offer the perfect twin-centre Cyprus break: start your trip immersed in the history and romance of Paphos, then head east for sun-soaked days and glamorous nights in Ayia Napa.
TUI:
July, 7 nights flying from London Gatwick
From £1190 per person, based on 2 adults & 1 child sharing
easyJet Holidays:
October, 7 nights flying from London Gatwick,
From £1390 per person, based on 2 adults sharing
