Holiday Reviews > Med Beach Resorts > Cyprus > Protaras > Protaras Apartments > Alva Studios & Apartments > Read Reviews
Alva Studios & Apartments Reviews
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Oct 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
ThomsonTHOMSON/FIRST CHOICE |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs G Haslam |
| Overall
Rating: |
1/10 |
| Comments: |
Don’t stay at these apartments, you will get not rest at all. I will be writing to Thomson as regards to the comments the rep made and also the staff shortage at the apartments.
We went for a deserved rest and got not rest at all, we have come home knackered.
We paid £1,112.000 for a week self catering. The same holiday for next year would be £1,001.30. There’s a hotel further up called the silver sands for b & b it’s £1,096 believe me its worth the £95.00 difference, it’s a gorgeous hotel and lovely pool.. There’s no way the Alva is a three star.
We didn’t even go in the pool at the Alva, to be honest it was not filled up to the water mark and we only saw the pool being cleaned once…The grouting had turned black.
They way that these apartments are designed are all to cock. If you have already booked, don’t go in the pool view rooms, it’s an absolute nightmare, you will get no rest at all. The apartments are in two blocks which are opposite each other. Any noise no matter how slight stay contained within in this design.
You will be up between 7:15 and 8:30 believe me. The pool guy comes along at 7:30 in the morning to arrange the sun beds from the day before. Strange, any where that we have stayed before do the clearing is done on the day when everyone has moved away from the pool. It doesn’t help when all the sun beds are metal, they resembled hospital beds, and are scraped along the concrete pool area, screeching noise and if that doesn’t wake you up the maid will at 8:30, even if you put a do not disturb sign on the door, the apartments that she cleans up and below you, the noise will disturb you. The beds are placed next to each other so the maid comes along separates the beds makes them and then places the beds back together, screeching along the floor.
On Tuesday morning we were woken up by the bar girl playing music at 7:20 am it’s an absolute nightmare. If you’re a couple who want a well earned break don’t go here.
We purchased the air con which is £3.00 per day, 20 euros to hire the remote for it and 10 euros to hire the hair dryer, all refundable on the last day.
I went down to complain on the second day at 7:35 the young Cypriot receptionist who looks like she has sucked on a lemon must be used to people complaining.
The Thomson rep told me to buy some ear plugs from the chemist.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss S Shakespeare |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
The Alva Apartments are a set in an ideal place at Fig Tree Bay, your right in the heart of things, The Alva is nice and clean and the staff are always very helpful, The poolside bar is overpriced, but only used it once. I would recommend anybody to try the Alva, they wont get any better, its my first time at the Alva but would come back, I have been to Protaras 5 times now, and i love everything about it, I do recommend going to Cape Greco you will love it, and also a bus trip into Ayia Napa in the day, that as really changed, its a very nice place to visit now. Its quite expensive since it has changed to the Euro, most things have doubled in price, i think that is what people will be put off by, it was so much cheaper when it was the cypriot pound.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr Ted Bundy |
| Overall
Rating: |
7/10 |
| Comments: |
we satyed in the alva from the 29th of june 2008 untill the 7th of july, the apartments and pool were clean and well looked after, the lad behind the bar was helpful and generous regardless of it being happy hour or not. apart from the miserable cheaky hotel manager and the rest of the stuck up ignorant reception staff the alva was a nice place to stay. the cleaner was very good she worked hard and was always making sure the rooms were nice and clean, the poor lass must of been getting paid peanuts as she kept pinching all my loose change off the sideboards. i cant really say much more about the apartments but if you do decide on going to cyprus make sure you take plenty of spending money because its very expensive and a rip off for food and drinks. if you are male goto the cheers pub for breakfast and check out the gorgeous chicks woop woop
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Maxine88 |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
We stayed in the Alva Studio and Apartments in June 2008 on a self catering 10 night stay with Thomsons.
The Hotel was in an excellent location - situated on the main strip, sitting back from the many restaurants, bars and shops and was within a stones throw of the beautifal Fig Tree bay. The facilities were simple but clean and well managed with a large swimming pool, friendly pool bar, pool table and computer area with internet acsess. The main reception was excellent both on arrival and through out our stay, they were very helpful and were able to provide information about the island. The rooms were of an exellent size with a full range of facilities you would expect for a self catering holiday - fridge/freezer, microwave, television, toaster and kettle. The maid's were very efficient and hard working and cleaned the rooms and provide fresh linen everyday or on request. The rooms were fully aircondition, which we really needed as it was so hot!!
Protaras proved to be an excellent holiday destination. The beaches were amazing, especially fig tree bay and there was plenty to do and see. The restaurants were great - especially the Mandarin chinease and The Only fools and horses themed pub. We went on 2 excursions - Famagusta, which was a jeep safari of northern cyprus (the Turkish side) which was very interesting and is a must see. We also went to the water park in Aiya Napa which was probably one of our best days!
We had a great holiday and would definately return but the only thing I would say is that Cyprus is quite expensive and you need a fair bit of spending money but it was well worth it!
Happy holidays!
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs L Rolph |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
My Family & I have just returned from a great holiday in Protaras. The Alva Hotel was great and situated in a great spot. Rooms were clean and maid service you could not fault. Pool was cleaned on a daily basis with plenty of sunbeds to relax and enjoy the hot sunshine. Staff at the Alva were always helpful. Pete behind the bar was great with the kids, very chatty and worked hard. Plenty of bars and restaurants to exprience. Lovely beach called Fig Tree bay with a restaurant called Zethkas, serves lovely food all day every day. This was our favourite of the holiday, nice meal in the evening over looking the bay, what more could you want. The only thing that let the holiday down was the cost, very expensive to eat/drink, however we did not let this spoil anything.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr J Hambleton |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
Just got back from Cyprus at the Alva apartments with family of 4 aged 34,33,10,3 with 2 adults and 2 children. The apartments were basic but good,had all things needed Fridge freezer,microwave,toaster,kettle and oven hob if u needed it.Its probably the best situated hotel/apartment in the resort had everthing u needed close by including Fig Tree Bay ,All the bars and restaurants ,supermarkets,taxirank,bus stop.You name its there.A lot of people who were there ,had been going back to the same apartment for yrs.
The facilities were good and Pool and babypool was good for small child,also had a childrens play area at side of pool which our kids were always in and out of.
Happy hr in hotel was 4-6pm and 10-1130pm and it was 2.50 a pint or 2.50 cocktails,roughly all the bars were 2.50-3 euros a pint,bottles were 3-4 euros.
There is a restaurant built on to the hotel called the Parko and we thought it was really nice there.Probably the best restaurant we went to tho was the Corner Flambe which was just quite superb and went back a few times.Meals are expensive in Cyprus roughly about 50-60 Euros for a basic meal .
Bars close by are Loveboat which has a cinema with all latest films at 7pm for the kids till 9pm then all the entertainment ie Kareoke,robbie williams,elvis,abba,hypnotist which was brilliant.Then u have Fools n horses,freinds bar and rockafellas and rivas.
The Ayia Napa water park was great family day out,we got on the bus outside hotel for 1.15 euros each took u straight there.20 mins away,taxi charges u 30 euros return.
All in all great place and great apartments.Cyprus was a Little expensive with the cross over to the euro but worth it.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs S Towle |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
Just returned from our first vist to Cyprus and very much enjoyed everything about it.
The Alva apartments have a perfect location for the beach and in our view was at the better end of the Strip. The other end has bars such as the Friends and Fools and Horses bars where people watch the telly!!! Rockafellas wasn't bad, there was some different sorts of entertainment in there if you just want a couple of drinks or a nightcap then go there.
The apartments were basic but clean and the staff were friendly and helpful.
we didn't use the pool once as it is not our thing, but it was clean and a good size.
the beach was beautiful and definately worth staying at the Alva apartments for.
we ate at the Parko restaurant once which was good but the best restaurant we found in the week we were there, was the Corner Flambe restaurant which was excellent, bit more expensive but worth it. this restaurant cost us about £80.00 for two but the average was £60.00.
Cyprus isn't cheap!!
we hired a car for two days which in our opinion was enough in a weeks stay. this cost about £80.00 for the two days, we did this privately and not through the rep as it was a lot more expensive and in our opinion, what we got for our money was more than adequate. All in all a nice week, weather was hot and some days very windy!
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Half Board |
| Date of
Holiday: |
May 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
schumi |
| Overall
Rating: |
6/10 |
| Comments: |
We have just returned from a weeks holiday in Protaras Cyprus. My husband and I travelled with our nine month old daughter. So many people we knew had been to Protaras before therefore we took their recommendations of how lovely it was without doing our usual amount of research in to the holiday.
Eating Out
We went half board in the hotel for an extra £60 each. Don't bother. The food was ok but nothing special. We only ate at the restaurant 2 nights out of the seven. THere is a fantastic restaurant called Nicolas along the strip who do a lovely meat meze. We ate here a number of times. This was the best restaurant we ate at. All of the other restaurants were very mediocre. SInce the Euro has been introduced to Cyprus everything is so expensive. The average cost of eating out for myself and my husband was between £50 and £60. Don't get me wrong, you don't mind paying it if the food is quality however most of the restaurants didn't specialise in anything they just had a full menu of everything and a lot of the food was frozen. In The Parko bar and restaurant where we had a drink one afternoon which was the hotel bar for the Alva my husband ordered a bottle of Leon which is a local beer. He tasted the beer and said it had a funny taste. He checked the sell by date and the beer had actually gone off a few months prior. He took the beer back to the bar and the guy behind the bar was very apologetic and said he had lived in Cyprus for seven years and the breweries often sell out of date alcohol at a reduced price. He said most of the cheaper places who did 2 for one happy hours use the cheaper out of date alcohol. Also the day before we had a drink at the same bar and when my husband took his out of date beer back the guy was obviously very embarassed and asked my husband if he'd noticed that he gave him a beer with a very large head on it hte day before. My husband said he had noticed and we were informede that he is told to do this by his boss to save more beer and make more money.
The Beach
The beach was beautiful and just a few minutes walk from the Alva Apartments. We didn't spend too much time at the beach as our daughter preferred the swimming pool.
The Alva Apartments
The Alva apartments were clean but very basic. The shower was lovely. The pillows on the beds looked and felt like they had seen better days. They were either as flat as a pancake or so so lumpy where they were so old. Glad we were only here for a week. However saying this the staff could not have been more helpful. They were very helpful .
Protaras Strip
When booking the holiday we did not realise that we were in a strip of cheesy bars and naff restaurants. The evening entertainment in most of the bars was some kind of impersonater. Most nights we walked the strip to get our daughter off to sleep before going to eat. In one night no joke there must have been about 6 places who had elvis impersonaters and two which had Robbie Williams ONe had a Freddie Mercury impersonater. OK if this is your thing but it's not mine. In protaras they must think Elvis is still alive! I'm only thankful we went just before the season had really started because aparently all the bars are heaving in the height of the season. Just wasn't the right location for us. We took a trip to Pafos and that would have suited us better. There are also some lovely hotels in Penera Bay Pafos just away from the strip. Next time we shall do more research before taking the recommendation of others.
Euro to Sterling Conversion
Cyprus changed their currency from the Cypriot Pound to the Euro in January 2008 so most places have a two prices quoted on their menus and price tickets a £ figure for the Cypriot Pound and a Euro figure for the Euro price. Don't be fooled in to thinking that the £ sign is Sterling. My husband and I on our first day were very confused wondering what conversion rate was being used as the Euro is currently 1.2 to the British Pound and all the prices seemed to be working it out on a 1 to 2 basis therefore saying you got 2 pounds for every one Euro. It was only after the forst day we realised it was the Cypriot pound. However I think this might have fooled a lot of people as in the airport people were loading their baskets with goods but when we worked it out all aftershave and make up and chocolate was cheaper to buy in the UK.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Oct 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs S Boulton |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
First time in Cyprus the Alva was in a very good location we had a studio which was quite spacious, rooms were spotless basic but adequate. The staff were very helpful and friendly and the Thomson rep Maria was excellent. Pool area looked ok but we used the fab beach which is just across the road. Had a couple of breakfasts at the pool bar which was nice. We enjoyed the holiday that much we are going back next year and will stay at the Alva.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Select |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss D Baker |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
We travelled to the Alva Apartments in summer 07' and after booking an allocation on arrival package, were a little dubious as to what we would find..
Upon arrival, the front appearance of the hotel is basic and does not do the inside justice. The reception area had extremely friendly staff that were always happy to help at any hour. Our room had a beautiful view of the sea and coastline and we during out stay can honestly say we heard no noise and slept soundly at night. The hotel is literally a 2 minute walk from fig tree bay, a stunning beach with jet-skis, banana boats, pedlos all for hire.. and was the same distance from a bus stop which would take you to Ayia Napa for a small fare and a 10 minute ride if you fancy a change of scenery..
The hotel itself is set on the main road with the entertainment bars and restaurants, but slightly set back meaning you are within the thick of the entertainment yet do not have the downfall of hearing lots of noise and people around. i could not have picked the location better myself, fantastic.
The main road has some lovely bars, a fantastic elevated chinese restaurant to the left of the hotels location and further right an array of friendly bars, the love boat is highly recommended. another nice touch is the themed bars you find here; from the egyption 'sphinx' bar to the flintstones restaurant. As for activities, the water show provides a fantastic display of entertainment just down the road 10 minutes walk, and there is never a shortage of things to do, especially if you go to the welcome morning, the sunset cruise is amazing and a real eye opener.
Overall the hotel and location is fantastic! Would definately recommend! If visiting protaras would certainly be the first to book here :)
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
May 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs J Davies |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
Hotel nice and modern - lovely restaurant - recommend having at least one meal there as the food is all freshly made and portions very big.
Towels could have been changed more frequently. Reception staff very helpful. Maria - the Thomson rep was great. Definitely recommend hiring a car with europcar as they were really good and efficient.
Make sure you go to Famagusta (on a organised excursion) worth seeing to understand the history.
Great location - 5 min walk from beach and near to Cape Greco. Located on the main strip towards the end so many bars and restaurants only a few minutes’ walk away.
Recommend the Sfinx bar - 3 double vodkas and 3 cans red bull for £10CY.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2005 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr M Godden |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
This was our first trip abroad with our 2 boys aged 5 and 3. We thought the Alva apartments were excellent. Rooms basic but clean and the hotel was very clean.
Staff were always friendly. The location is excellent with bars and restaurants close by and the beach only a 2 minute walk. Our boys regularly stayed up til the early hours as they had such fun!
After booking to go top Alcudia this year we keep wondering why we just didn't go back to Protaras.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2005 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Button |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
My husband and I went to the Alva Apartments in July 05. Lovely accommodation in a perfect location. The beach is just across the road and their are a good selection of bars and restaurants really close by. You can have a lovely romantic meal or a quick bite to eat and plenty to drink!
A great pool area, with plenty of sun beds and space, drinks and snacks are available all day around the pool.
The rooms are basic, but have everything you need. We discovered air conditioning wasn’t included and had to pay extra which is worth checking out.
A brilliant holiday!
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2004 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr M Pinnington |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
The Alva is in a superb location, with the famous Fig Tree Bay just across the road.
The staff are very helpful and the cleaners are first class. There is plenty of entertainment within a 1-minute walk; you can have a lively night or a quieter more relaxed evening.
The Alva is situated in the quieter part of the strip, and all the music is toned done after midnight, but you can still have a drink into the small hours. The food is also excellent, there is something to suit every pallet, and I don’t think you will be disappointed.
Try Georges bar just along the road from the Alva he’s a character and really looks after you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
