Cyprus end-May - recommendations?

[fromheretomaternity]

We are looking to book a holiday somewhere warm in late May and are thinking about Cyprus. Have never been before, but attracted by the guaranteed sun, beaches and historical interest.

Anyone have any good travel tips they can share? We are thinking about a two week break (one week in the South, one in the North) - is there enough to keep us busy that long? Any good accommodation tips? And which locations are good? - we want to avoid big resorts, our ideal would be a small coastal town with beach and a few restaurants.

We have one DS (who will be 2) so will need to think about toddler friendliness eg no unguarded pools for him to tumble into.

Thanks!

Lots of the pools at hotels in the smaller villages don't have guards at pool side you only really get them at the big complex style hotels.

If you like a beach then the village of Episkopi is lovely always use the 2nd beach bar, Chris's its where all the bases and the ex-pats go...

Episkopiana (Sp) hotel is pretty basic and has a shuttle bus to the beach, however if you want to explore Cyprus you really need a car as the buses out of the main "touristy" areas are very poor!

The pool is pretty basic no guard though. Rooms are sufficient loads of self catering accomodation. The nearest beach Kouiran is sandy. The village is full of restuarants that are local and authentic along with the two nearby villages of Ermi and Kolossi.

If you want Pafos area then Coral Bay Beach is the nicest, the Coral Bay Beach Hotel is lovely, can't remember if there is a guard on the pool, but private sandy beach (Pafos has loads of sea weed and pebbly bits). But Coral Bay is definately smaller than the main resort Pafos, and you can get a bus and about from there fairly easy. The restuarants are more "touristy" and "commercial" iykwim?

If you go the other end of the island Potaras is lovely its got some of the nicest beaches (apart form Aiya Napa) the big hotels there are all lovely can't say I've stayed in a bad one, the food is a bit like Coral Bay Beach Hotel more "commericalised" and more general like anywhere in Spain/Med....

For the north I only really know Kyerina Bay which doesn't really have beaches but has lovely restuarants and bars....

I used to live in Cyprus hence the knowledge! If you have somewhere in particular in mind I might be able to help you! I would avoid Pissouri village as the beach is pebbly and the Pissouri Village Hotel is very overpriced for what it is imho.

Cyprus is an island rich in culture and history so plenty to keep you busy!

We stayed in a lovely resort in Gran Caneria, no guards on the pool but the resort itself was wonderful;- Meloneras away from the tacky tourist bits and really very friendly plenty of places to eat and walkable to Maspalonas (sp) if your wanting a bit more tacky touristy things.

HTH

Thanks butterscotch! Undecided after your post, perhaps Coral Bay sounds closest to what we want but it does sound like it may be busy.

Perhaps Greek islands would be a bit quieter, maybe Crete??

Coral Bay can be quieter its a posher bit iykwim? The Coral Bay Beach hotel is lush! The spa facilities etc.. and you are a short stroll from places to eat and drink! and a bus to Pafos for more touristy/main stream! Its a beautiful island!