Hi
I have been to this hotel (Golden Coast) for my wedding vows, i also went back the next year to see if it had changed.
The rooms and sea view rooms as upgrades are beautiful, the hotel itself is very nice as is the food. They do all inclusive and a good array of food for kids. I cannot comment on A1 as i stayed B & B.
The beach is as private as it gets next to a jetty, and its lovely and shallow. Water sports are here as well. The gardens do need a tidy up, but this didnt really bother me. A lot of people get married at the golden coast because of its beautiful setting and views.
The hotel is a 10 minute walk from the main drag of Pernera where alot of good restaurants and pubs are, it is slightly quietly than Protaras. I am not a fan myself of protaras as it gets too crowded on the beaches and scooters are everywhere, but i do like to walk around it at least once. At night its like being in a sardine can. I do like pernera because most of the restaurants are family owned, and there are decent drinking places without being OTT with Elvis and Robbie impersonators
If you like a base where the beach is really nice and not too rowdy, great views, and near enough to get to the main parts, then this could be the hotel for you.
We have also been to the Pernera beach hotel and the LIVAS apartments in Pernera. Pernera beach is dead central in Pernera itself. From Pernera to protaras it takes 20 mins to walk, or 2 mins by cab, very cheap. Buses come from all hotels or outside the windmills very frequently.