In actual fact we came back a couple of weeks ago, but there is a reason why i have only just got the energy to type this. We went on holiday with first choice to the pernera beach hotel, this is our third visit to the hotel and it is just as good as last year. The date we went was the 19th June to the 3rd July, and believe me it was very very hot, the hottest day was 107 degrees.

If you want a hotel literally on the sea/beach, very quiet at night in a cul-de-sac but not far from all the loud bars and restaurants then i would recommend this hotel. Why it is a 3 star plus is beyond me as it has everything including an indoor pool if anyone wishes to go into it.

We had a free upgrade to full sea view and it overlooked the pool and sea. We were based on half board, the food was really nice and plentiful. The staff in all areas from the restaurants to the house keepers to reception were really nice.

The only thing i could see that really needed updating were the TVs if you liked to relax and watch on holiday, they are antique and to be honest only had bbc news and nothing else for English people.

We were told that after this years season they are updating areas in the hotel, so that would be nice for future visitors.

We did notice a lot more russians at the hotel and as usual were very rude and not forth coming at all. A lot of foreign kids were in the pool really rowdy and the parents were not watching them. Somersaults and back flips are not allowed but they couldn't care less. I hasten to add that the English kids were very well behaved as were the parents looking after them.

There was never a problem with sunbeds in the morning. Around the pool and on the grass there were always loads available.

On the beach it costs 7-50 euros for 2x loungers and brolly per day. Although we went in the sea every day numerous times, we jumped off a little step just down from the hotel then came back to our free loungers. The sea is very good for kids as hardly very deep or any waves.

There are a lot of shops and restaurants and bars around this area. I can recommend eating at the cultura del gusto, very nice smart restaurant, good prices, and it always tops the list on trip advisor. Another good cheap eating place is the fresh house just up from the windmills. We have been going here for years. It is a bar as well as a restaurant and open all day into the morning if customers still in there.

You can get 2-1 drinks on shorts at Kokos, and always a good atmosphere and shows in the windmills.

We were half board as i already said, but ate out a lot.

I thought prices were fairly reasonable, beer the cheapest we found in Protaras was 1.70 a pink (keo) in Pernera it was around the 2.80 euro mark. There were a lot of good set meals for under 10 euro. Supermarkets are expensive i thought for self catering. So understandably if you are s/c with kiddies it could cost you a lot.

We walked into Protaras around lunchtime each day and the beaches were packed, they are doing work on the boardwalk, but never really bothered us. I just felt it was a lot better but a lot more commercialised now. Villas and hotels popping up everywhere and getting really built up.

We did the red bus tour whilst here, doing the beach of varosha is a must, the best beach on the island so they say, but eery looking at the bombed hotels behind you. Armed guards watching you as well so no pics allowed.

We did the water park at 32 euros each adult, but got 4 euro off so well worth it.

Travelling for a euro a day on the bus saves such a lot, poor cabs hardly moved all day.

All in all we had a great holiday, we will be back next september in a villa, it is 3 bedrooms a large pool and private so no peeping toms. At only £450 per week per villa divided by 6 persons is a snip. Only got to get flights. We have seen it, and know the owners so cannot wait.

On the way back to the airport we had a burger king, at present i should think it will be now inspected by the men in white coats. I got food poisoning and still off sick from work. I was very very ill and only drinking water as couldn't keep anything in me. Tests resulted in food poisoning. I had the chicken fillet and my husband who was ok had a burger. The place was very very clean, but never ate anything else so knew it was that. So please be careful guys, its been nearly 3 weeks and i am still not 100 percent hence the late review.

On a good note - we had a great time and met some lovely people. Any questions please ask, we have been on most trips over the years so did not bother this time.

Michelle