Cavo Maris Beach Hotel & Suites

The website is available in English and German, while the hotel itself places you directly on Protaras Beach, among palms and landscaped gardens. Cavo Maris Beach Hotel & Suites is built for a proper resort stay: you can move from the beach to the pool, from the pool to a bar, and from dinner to live entertainment without turning the evening into a logistical exercise.

The feel is broad and sociable rather than boutique or quietly minimalist. Families have their own facilities, but couples are not forgotten, with sea views, several restaurants, a spa and a beach that begins at the property. For you as a diver, the useful bit is simple: once the day is over, food, shade, a drink and somewhere to stretch out are all close at hand.

You are in Protaras, Cyprus, on the seafront with direct access to a public Blue Flag beach of fine golden sand. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available on the beach, with rental managed by the municipality. Two smaller sandy beaches are within a two-minute walk, giving you alternatives when you fancy a change of bay rather than a change of hotel.

Shops, bars and restaurants are within 100 metres, while the centre of Protaras is about 1.5 km away. Fig Tree Bay is roughly 1 mile from the hotel, and Cape Greco National Forest Park is about 2.3 miles away. A local bus serves Protaras, Paralimni and Agia Napa, so you can leave the car behind when the plan is simply to go out for dinner or a wander.

The room choice is mainly about how much space you want and what you want to see when you step outside. Superior rooms keep things straightforward, with inland, side-sea or full sea views, while the family rooms give you more room to organise a couple of people without everyone climbing over the same suitcase. The Elite Family Suite works better when separate sleeping arrangements and two bathrooms matter; the Executive Elite Suite is the one to consider when you want more space for a longer stay or a little more breathing room between occupants.

Balconies face the Mediterranean, the pool or the mountains, and every room has air conditioning, a seating area and a work desk. There is also a minibar, an electric kettle, satellite television and a radio. After a long day in warm water, the air conditioning is the practical luxury; the seating area means you do not have to spend the evening perched on the edge of the bed.

Soundproof rooms and soundproofing are part of the room facilities, which will interest anyone who prefers sleep to a full replay of the evening entertainment. Daily housekeeping keeps the room on the right side of usable, and free Wi-Fi covers the hotel. For families, cots are available on request, but extra beds are not available, so choose the room layout carefully rather than hoping furniture will perform miracles.

The all-inclusive package covers breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Alkion Buffet Restaurant, along with selected drinks and snacks between meals. Breakfast is a buffet with Full English and American options, beginning at 07:15, which is early enough for a morning departure without requiring an heroic relationship with the alarm clock. Packed lunches are also available for days when you are heading out.

Alkion adds a live-cooking corner and themed dinner nights, with international and Cypriot dishes changing through the week. The choice is wider than a single buffet routine: H Taverna serves Cypriot and Greek food, including a local meze in the evening; Stonegrill cooks your meal on a heated stone at the table; and Abalone Trattoria Italiana covers pasta, pizza and Italian dishes. Seaweed Sushi brings Japanese and fusion food to the line-up, while Argo Burger Bistro handles lighter meals and snacks in the garden.

There are three named bars. Coral Lounge Bar runs from morning into the early hours, with cocktails, drinks, coffee, cakes and light snacks through the day. Sirena is a swim-up cocktail bar, so the route from pool to drink is pleasingly short. Medusa Pool Bar & Gelateria adds waffles, crêpes and gelato. Gluten-free, vegetarian and lactose-free options are available, with special meals for babies prepared on request.

Four pools divide the hotel’s non-diving hours neatly: a heated outdoor pool, a heated indoor pool with Jacuzzi, a children’s pool and a separate infant pool. The main pool has the Sirena swim-up bar beside it, while the outdoor area sits among palms and gardens. The indoor pool belongs to the Vitality Spa and is useful when the weather turns or when your body would prefer a gentle swim to another round of competitive holiday activity.

The Vitality Spa & Wellness Centre offers massages, facials, body treatments, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, manicures, pedicures and beauty treatments using Decléor products. The spa, steam room and sauna run from 10:00 to 19:00. The gym and indoor pool with hot tub are available from 08:00 to 19:00, with yoga, Pilates, stretching, aerobics, dancing lessons and water gym for anyone who still has energy in reserve.

Away from the water, you have two tennis courts, table tennis, billiards, darts, archery, mini-golf, basketball, boccia and cycling. The hotel also arranges boat and fishing trips, horse riding and excursions. Evening entertainment includes live music, magic shows, folklore and international dance performances, quizzes and bingo. If you are travelling with family, the Turtle Kids Club welcomes children aged 4 to 12, with supervised indoor and outdoor play, dedicated pools and a children’s menu.

Larnaca International Airport is about 32 miles away by road, with a driving time of roughly 45 minutes. Airport transfers can be arranged privately or as a shared service through the hotel, on request. Car hire is available, and free private parking is provided on site without requiring a reservation. The hotel can also help with excursions and local arrangements through its tour desk.

Check-in runs from 14:00 and check-out is by 12:00. The front desk is open around the clock, with express check-in and check-out, luggage storage and currency exchange. If you arrive early or leave late, courtesy rooms may be available on request, subject to availability. That is useful when your flight times refuse to cooperate with hotel timings, as flights occasionally do.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available, and a mini-market and souvenir shop cover the small items you forgot to pack. The hotel has lifts, ramps, adapted rooms, accessible toilets, accessible parking and easier access to the beach and pools, with pool lifts available on request. A doctor can also be called when needed.