Go everywhere, Do everything

If you need a sun, sea, relax type of holiday and want to do Aiya Napa without actually doing Aiya Napa, then this might be just the resort for you.

The Atlantica Mare Hotel is located 10-15 minutes drive along the coast from Aiya Napa so is in a quiet spot but within easy driving distance of all the activities.

We booked through TUI and travelled in August when Pip was 9. The average temperature when we were there was mid 30.

The Hotel

The hotel has a variety of different room options from basic to sea view balcony rooms to family bungalows and swim up bungalows. We were in one of the blocks at the top of the resort nearest the road with a fabulous view of the sea. Our room was perfect for us. A double bed and a pull out for Pip. Plenty of storage space and a small balcony.

The main hub of the resort is where the reception is. Here there is a coffee bar, TV room, bar, the buffet restaurant and 2 of the other restaurants. There is also a games room and a small shop which sells snacks and all the things that you might need but forgot to pack. The main pool is also here with shallow entry and areas for little ones as well as a deeper area where Aqua aerobics is held and volleyball. This area is right next to the beach so was the perfect place to spend the day with the option of the pool or beach.

There is also a second pool with a pool bar. The pool here is one depth and was slightly too deep for P to stand up in (she’s an average sized 9 year old). It was great for jumping in but not as good for ball games for the kids. This pool has the Italian restaurant and the snack bar.

The top pool is the kids pool which is a splash pool with slides and water canons. It is shallow and one depth so great for younger children. There is also a ice cream and waffle bar here.

There is also an adults only pool and a spa and gym.

There is a small shop on site selling snack and drinks, souvenirs and sun cream. Pool towels are available daily and there is also a handy point to inflate pool toys.

Entertainment

We usually don’t choose a hotel for the entertainment as it’s not a priority for us but the entertainments team worked so hard. There was morning yoga and stretching, aqua aerobics in the pool, games for the kids and an evening disco. Due to Covid there was a reduced team and reduced timetable but it was still a good selection of activities.

All Inclusive

The resort is all inclusive. Breakfast is served in the buffet restaurant and there was a huge selection of hot and cold food. You have the option of eating outside or inside in the air-conditioning.

The buffet restaurant also serves lunch and dinner with a different theme in the evening every night.

The snack bar is open during the day and had a fantastic selection, everything from salads and fruit pots to burgers and fries. Ice creams are available from the pool bar as part of the all-inclusive (they were tiny magnum style ice creams though) or you can buy ice creams from the ice cream bar.

On top of the buffet we were also able to book for the specialist restaurants, once per each week we were there. We ate in the Italian twice (Buffet starter and deserts and a menu for the mains) and the Greek restaurant once which was amazing. There was also a BBQ and Sushi restaurant and a Steakhouse. Not everything was open when we were there.

The Spa

The Spa has a Sauna, Steam room and indoor pool. There is a wide variety of treatments available and the staff are so friendly and helpful. We had a back massage and the kids had a chocolate massage which they loved. The staff were great with the kids. There is also a gym which has stunning view from the treadmill.

What we got up to

Aiya Napa was about 15 minutes away by taxi. We took a taxi in to explore a couple of times and other times pick up was included with the activity we were doing.

The Black Pearl Pirate Boat

This is a boat trip starting and ending in Aiya Napa, it can be booked directly with or without transport or through TUI with transport. The trip lasts approximately 4 hours and includes lunch and swimming stops.

Pip really enjoyed this especially the crew who were dressed as pirates and stayed in character throughout the day. There was opportunities to dance with the pirates, find treasure, battle invading pirates and have your photo taken. Lunch was a good selection of chicken, rice, potatoes and salad and there was a vegetarian burger choice as well. There was a really good variety of drinks available at the bar throughout the journey.

We had two swimming stops as well as commentary about what we could see on the coast as we went past. There is the option to jump from the side of the boat.

Top tips: It was very hot the day we went and there wasn’t much shade on the boat, make sure you take sun screen. The area at the back of the boat, where you got in and out of the water, was very crowded during the swim stops. Make sue you take buoyancy aids for any non confident swimmers.

Daktari Jeep Safari

Again we booked this through TUI but could have booked directly. We were picked up from our hotel in a 10 seat Land Rover. The trip takes you off road and up in to the mountains, to visit villages, to see lace and silver ware being made and to taste wine and Cypriot Coffee. We were also able to swim in a waterfall and had a fabulous lunch.

The day included visits to a Our guide was amazing, very knowledgeable and we had a great time.

Aiya Napa

There’s lots of things to do in nearby Aiya Napa from souvenir shopping to eating in some of the millions of restaurants to sitting down by the harbour and watching the boats. There is also a fabulous sculpture park on the road between the hotel and Aiya Napa.

Things we didn’t get time to do……….

Yellow Submarine Boat Tour – A boat trip with underwater viewing area, a slide and they stop so you can swim in the sea caves. We ran out of time but would have loved to have done this.

Waterworld – A themed water park which looks a lot of fun.