Crystal Springs, a quiet four-star on Vrisoudia Bay

Protaras has a lively reputation, but its edges still hold quiet corners. One is Vrisoudia Bay, where Crystal Springs combines wide gardens with a sandy cove you can walk down to. I go through its entry, what the hotel publishes and the kind of guest I’d recommend it to. For the area as a whole, see Protaras hotels.

A small four-star

On the Paralimni register, dated 4 August, it’s listed as a four-star with 125 rooms and 250 beds at 95 Vrysoudion Street. The P beside it leaves the rating as a guide. With those numbers it’s well below neighbours such as Golden Coast or Anastasia Beach, both with around two hundred rooms.

Gardens, cove and spa

The website talks of 30,000 square metres of tropical gardens with shady corners, leading to a sandy cove on Vrisoudia Bay. The Executive suites and superior rooms have been renovated recently, and family rooms sleep four, with sea, pool or inland views, some without a balcony. The Aura Spa, a pool, water sports and indoor and outdoor children’s activities complete the picture.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Crystal Springs Beach Hotel Protaras on Expedia and filter by area before price.

All Inclusive Plus

The hotel sells a fairly complete All Inclusive Plus. Breakfast is from 07:00 to 10:00, lunch from 12:30 to 14:30 and dinner from 18:30 to 21:30 at the Salamina buffet. In between, the Yialos pool bar serves food and snacks from 10:00 to 20:00, and in the evening you can dine à la carte at Basilikos, from 18:30 to 22:00, booking at reception a day ahead.

Unlike some hotels in the area, drinks aren’t limited to local brands. The list takes in imported gins, whiskies, rums, liqueurs and beers, and Tefkros Bar serves until midnight, with snacks until 23:00. The package starts at 14:00 on arrival day and ends at 12:00 on departure day, works with a wristband and doesn’t allow food or drink to be taken to the rooms. Children under 14 must always order with an adult.

The gardens don’t just lead to the sea. According to the hotel, they also link up with a nature trail that winds through the area, a good excuse for an early walk before the heat sets in.

Location

It’s 2 km from Protaras, 5 from Paralimni and 10 from Ayia Napa, according to the hotel. Close by to the south is the Golden Coast hotel, facing Louma beach. Towards central Protaras is Sunrise Pearl, with its five pools, and further on, towards the cape, Cavo Maris.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Protaras and pick one that fits your day.

My take

I think it’s a very good choice for couples and families wanting calm, a garden and a cove to hand, without giving up the ease of all-inclusive. For anyone wanting to walk out for the evening, the distance to the centre counts against it. For a livelier beach day, Fig Tree Bay is in the middle of Protaras.

Where the bus does not go, a car does: compare car hire in Protaras before you arrive rather than at the desk.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Crystal Springs Beach Hotel Protaras on Booking.com and filter by area before price.