Riverside Villas

Travelling from Larnaca to our accommodation according to Cyprus Paradise should have been 90 minutes, 4 hours later we arrived.
From Larnaca airport to the green line took 1 hour in a very small mini bus, very hot and cramped. At the green line there was a long queue waiting to have their visa stamped. The driver took our passports, which seemed to take forever.
When he returned to the mini bus, we crossed the green line then into a car park and changed mini buses. The next mini bus was no better. There were 6 of us in total. The rep., who wasn’t English, gave us a drink and told us it would take 40 minutes. That was it, she never spoke again.
After dropping everyone else off at different destinations on the island we were then taken to our destination, we arrived at 7pm, having landed in Larnaca Airport at 2.30pm. Half an hour at the airport, which was good going. Then one hour to the green line, then a further 3 hours to our destination, is not really acceptable, having been up since 4.30am.
Riverside is lovely; the villas are surrounded with Lemon, Lime, and pomegranate trees. The smells in the evening were lovely.
There are 3 swimming pools, one of which is in doors, which was empty. The other 2 one with slides, which was very popular, the other a normal swimming pool. All of which were very clean. The surrounding areas were cleaned each morning.
The Villa which we stayed in was on 2 levels, stairs which could have been a problem for the elderly or children.
The bedroom was very large, a huge bed. Sheets changed every day.
Bathroom - Bath, shower, and toilet. The shower pressure was useless, the water dribbled out. We did mention this and they changed the shower head the following day. The result was the same. Towels changed daily. Toilet wasn’t cleaned daily.
On the ground floor, lounge come dining room come kitchen, the kitchen sink gave off an awful smell. Not much of a problem as we kept the windows open at all times.
Between us and our neighbours were a connecting door, which was locked, but we could hear everything they said.
Also beware the maid doesn’t ring the bell when coming into the apartment.
The paths around the complex were quite dangerous, very slippery, so we had to be very careful.
The restaurant was very good, food excellent and plenty of it, very hot. The waiters were very friendly and helpful.
The downside was we had to use the bus to go to the beach, and also to the town of Kyrenia.
The beach was free, if you told them you were from Riverside.
Kyrenia has plenty of shops to browse around, plenty of places to eat, we only had a snack in a small shop, can't remember the name.
One day we did get a taxi back from Kyrenia as the bus didn’t leave until 3pm. The taxi cost us £20.
Riverside run a courtesy bus leaving at 10.30am coming back from Kyrenia 3pm and 3.15pm from the beach. Which doesn’t give you much time on the beach.
In reception you can hire a safe, this costs 50p per day with a deposit of £10 this is refunded on departure day.
Riverside had a Cypriot night and a BBQ, the BBQ was round the pool, both of which were enjoyable.
We only drank water with our evening meal, for 2 small bottles of water £6. Which we thought was a bit steep.
They will accept sterling, Cyprus pound, or Turkish Lira.
On the day of our departure we booked a taxi through the reception back to the airport which cost £45 worth every penny. From Riverside to Larnaca airport 90 mins.
I really don't think we shall return to the North, they are very friendly. But I didn’t enjoy it.