Anastasia Beach Hotel, Protaras

Cyprus was'nt my 1st choice for a hoiday this year, but Ruth my partners sister telephoned us in August 2004 to say she was getting married abroad in July 2005, and would we like to attend. Of course we said yes and so the task of booking in to the same hotel on the same board status began. Cols sister was traveling with Thomas Cook, so I called them ''no room'' they said '' Oh no'' I said. So on to my trusted PC, entered the name of the hotel in too a search engine and walla - a few moments later we was booked all inclusive in to the Anastasia Beach Hotel.

After negotiating Larnaca airport, we located our taxis for the transfer and off we went through barren countryside along a stretch of road that was apparently a Motorway, two lanes and a speed restriction of 100km an hour. We turned off the motorway and past some appartments which was nearing completion. Down a small road with a pub with a truely english name - Only Fools and Horses bar mmmmm classy.

First impression count with me and I was not to be dissappointed - the short but sweeping drive and entrance to the hotel was very Grand. A pale peachy coloured building with automatic glass doors and the sigh ANASTASIA BEACH HOTEL ****. Part of the Tsokkos group, there are a number of sister hotels in the Protaras area. The hotel offers traditional hospitable service, combined with the peaceful atmosphere and an ideal location, this hotel provides an excellent combination for a relaxing holiday. The hotel is conveniently located between the Protaras and Pernera areas, with its 190 rooms spread over 4 floors.

The driver unloaded our bags and bid us a happy hoilday. In through the automatic doors, in to air conditioned reception area, WOW fantastic. The hotel is on 4 floors, each floor over looks the reception area, with lushious plants sweeping down and over hanging the balconies in to the reception. Plush two seater settees a sat in pairs facing each other with glass coffee tables in between. The colour scheme is marble floors and red and gold settees. with fresh flowers in huge vases on more glass occasion tables. To the left is the reception desk, we approached the desk and gave our booking reference, in return we was given a plastic key card and details of the inclusive terms and conditions. We was also given a silver band to wear to show we was all inclusive. The lady pointed to the lift across. Off we went to the lift. Small possably only able to carry 6 people at one go, there are two lifts in the reception area. We got out of the lift at the 3rd floor and found our room. Popping the key card in to the slot, we opened our door. Plush carpet wardrobe to the left and bathroom to the right. Straight forward and two huge beds. There was tea and coffee making facilities on a long set of drawers with a tv at the other end. A small table and two comfy chairs in front of the sliding patio doors. Double lined curtains kept the room dark. We opened the curtains and the door and stepped out on to the balcony, Our room over looked the pool area and the sea, it was a fantastic view. Back in the room I checked out the bathroom clean, with marble floors and sink surround. So far I was very impressed with the hotel. We changed in to our holiday gear and went off in search of the rest of the party.

In our party was Ruth and Mick the bridal couple their four kids Lauren 14, Jack 13, Jessica 8 and Emily 3, Micks mum and Dad, Paul(Ruths Brother) and Gaynor his wife, their daughter Hayley 20 and her boyfriend Steve 22, then Me and Colin (Ruths Brother my partner both 39. The reason I mention the ages and whos in the party will become apparent later in the review.

We found Ruth and her family by the pool, on arriving Ruth summonded a pool waiter and we ordered drinks. Later the same afternoon our party grew larger with the arrival of Paul and his family.

The pool area is very clean, it was also very busy, with loads of sunbeds and umbarellas, both fixed and ones which can be moved. Coming out of the hotel you step on to a shaded veranda running all the way round with steps down to the pool side. On the veranda is a bar area and tables.

The hotel provided entertainment throughout the day around the pool and also at night in the bar area. The entertainers were Stevie.p, Becky and Sam and what a team, their efforts and enthusiasam were outstanding. During the day there was Quizs, Table tennis, Speed Pool, Waterpolo for the more energetic and football (5 a side) for those with even more energy. Every winner was presented with a SUPERSTAR certificate or T-shirt at night. With man of the match and boy of the match too. The afternoon games created a friendly and relaxing atmosphere, it want long before we were chatting away to people, these people soon became holiday friends.

The bar area is to the left side of the reception and consists of a gaming area for children with various aracade games and two internet PC (50cent for 15 mins) A large screen TV and pool table. there is a small stage for the entertainers, a bar to the rear of the room. With a variety of different size of tables you could sit in twos or in a huge group like we did.

Dinner is served from 7pm in the resturant, which is to the right of the reception area, on arrival you are greated and escorted to your table. We had a very long one and it never changed throughout our holiday. In the centre of the room are bainmaries with hot food and a good selection too, always veg, meat, fish and potatoes. Childrens selection usually consisted of fish fingers, sausage, beans and chips. There was a huge salad bar area where you could make your own salad, a sweet area with various forms of delightful puds. Cheese biscuits and fresh fruit. There was always a table laid with canapes too. Cold meats and pasta dishes was also served every day. There is usually a carvery with the meat changing every night. The waiters move around the room either bringing drinks or removing empty plates. The tables were kept clear of dirty plates and cutlery.

At 7.30pm sharp the childrens entertaiment started with the Dynamite Disco, followed by More T vicar and challange Stevie P, were one child was picked the night before to set 20 questions for the great Stevie.P to answer. There was bingo every evening at 9.30, then a show where the entertainers would sing and dance, there was also a game show where hotel guest took part. A disco followed up until about 12.30am. The waiter service in the dining room and bar was second to none, always attentive and over the week one waiteress didnt even need to be given a drinks list she knew what we wanted. A sandwich selection was also available if you felt peckish later.

Breakfast was served from 8.30 - 10.00am and was hot english, cold continental or toast, cereals, boiled eggs with an variety of jams, croissants and breads. tea and coffee with fresh fruit juice and of course fresh fruit.

Lunch was served from 12.30 and consisted of pizza, salad, chips and everyday the main course changed always a meat choice. fish, vegetarian, veg and Potatoes. with a pudding bar, fresh fruit and breads.

The hotel in general was of a high standard and very clean. The staff mainly Polish, were friendly and very helpful and always ready to serve with a smile. The entertainers, made all the children feel special and help take the pressure of the parents for an hour a day at least. Even if you were a couple with no kiddies in tow, the hotel offered a good evenings entertainment. The chance to chat to other guests or catch up with those from friends from the poolside. The atmosphere in the bar area was like one big party, with ''in'' competions between families for who had won the most certificates and t-shirts. The children was quite safe to run off in their gangs and groups. There was too many people around for any thing to happen to them. The older children of course hung out by the aracade games or sat on the veranda chatting.

The thing which really made me decide to write a review and rate this hotel was what happened on the BIG DAY. I dont think a hotel in England would have bent over backwards like the management and staff at the Anastasia did.

On Ruth and Micks big day the hotel really excelled, our party swelled to 22 with the arrival of Micks brother and 2 kids and Pauls son, girlfriend and three mates, all of which was stayin in various other accomadation around Protaras and Ayia Napia. These guests were made all inclusive for the day and night. The hotel arranged the taxis and on arriving back played the wedding march as the happy couple entered the hotel recetion. The other hotel guests had all gathered to welcome them back, with cheering and clapping, it was like a huge party.

The hotel arranged a table in the resturant, set the table excatley how Mick and Ruth had choosen and served food and drink, including champagne. In the evening the entertainers congratulated and welcomed Mick and his new bride on to the stage for their first dance as husband and wife.

Nothing was too much trouble. There was a disco after the entertainment, were all the hotel guests joined in to ensure Mick and Ruth had a fantastic night and one to remember.

I would recommend this hotel to anyone purely because of the great service, staff and management. For one week we were treated like Kings and Queens and the management carried out Micks arrangements for his big day superbly, the resturant does not open in the day time only for the evening meals. They had to arrange for more staff to be working to serve. The management arranged a cake. It was a wonderful day.

The only blott for the hotel was we had ants in the bathroom, but we managed to live side by side for a week, it was no great hardship.