first thing to do is send an e-mail to the [informationcto@btconnect.com] Cyprus Tourism Organisation tell them you are visiting Protaras for the first time and would like some information on the island, they usually send a pack including a local map and several booklets

wizard

Hi Jon and welcome to HT!

We have reviews of the Paptonia HERE

luci

Thank you Wizard and luci.

Hi, we went there last year and had a great time, the food was OK in the restarant, but the snacks where really nice, the entertainment team that were there were good fun, but a couple were moving this year, we walking into Protaras along the front, its a bit bumpy, there is another town if you are facing the sea to the left is the only way I can discribe it, theres a path behind the childrens play area for that one and for Protaras go past the kids club and at the road (lane) turn left then at the sea turn right.
We also drank in the Station pub, which puts on entertainment and the drinks are not over expensive, it is on the road just before the Hotel.

Thanks for that, kaytony.

hi bluebridge we have been to protares 5 out of the last 6 years. the place has got bigger and better i believe. it is saver with the one way traffic round town.there is loads of bars and eating places if you need anymore info give me ashout.

Hi Tam, thanks for your reply, can you tell me, has the resort gone very British or is there still a Cypriot feel to it. Most people I have spoken to say it has gone like Blackpool, please tell me this isn't true. I don't mind the odd "British pub" as long as they don't outnumber the tavernas . Thanks, Jon.

I was there last year as we stayed in a friends villa................and I have to say I found it all a bit too British, there's a few authentic restaurants but bar wise it's very geared towards UK holidaymakers, if you get the picture No doubt the Protaras Stalwarts will disagree but it was just my opinion.

I suppose it depends what people are looking for. I found Pernera less commercialised as it's smaller, I think if you get out of Protaras off the beaten track a little there are authentic eateries and bars if that's what your looking for.

See post from last year :
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=107791&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=blackpool

It makes interesting reading with lots of reference to that North West resort with the tower

hi bluebridge protares is very british i have to say but i would not say it is like blackpool at all. there is a lot of british style pubs and eateries but there is also quite a few cypriot restuarants as well. dont panic you will love protares. if you go out of town to pernera 5mins along the road it does have a more cypriot feel about it. there is a great restuarant there across the road from the windmills hotel. i think it called something like le gustro ? we had a couple of great meals there. i will be back to protares at the end of june staying at the vrissiana hotel in the middle of town. if you need anymore info drop me a line

You will notice a big difference if you've not been for 10 years. Expanded greatly, is very clean and although still very nice it has all become very British. A nicer area is Pernera approximately 10 minute walk out of Protaras toward Paralimni.

Most of the islands in the med are geared towards the brits, i have been to Protaras 8 times, but have also been to Tenerife and Benidorm in the last few years and that was a million miles away from Protaras. Unless you get a resort in the middle of nowhere you will always get english bars and restaurants. Protaras as got too cheesy, but it has a good mix, i have been to many places and the beaches are still some of the best.

Thanks for your replies.

Jon

Hi first time in protaras last year we loved it beaches are fab nice safe friendly place lovely places to eat good atmosphere the bars are geared for brits but there are others as well it just had something more than spain can't wait to go back and we do not normally go back to same place

Well said, i had my 8th visit to Protaras last year and the beaches are better than some in the Caribeaan

Have they built a new "Papantonia" in Protaras or is everyone forgetting to mention its actually in Pernera ? - I rather liked that hotel for the pool and bar areas. My brother stopped there back in 2004 and we've visited it on later visits. No idea about the hotel food personally as we didn't eat there but my brother said it wasn't too bad.

Its located well for all the bars, cafés, restaurants and the beach is only a few minutes walk away.

Steve

You are correct Steve! The Papantonia is in Pernera. It's in a good location, a stones throw from the beach and 5 mins walk from the middle of Pernera. Protaras can be reached on foot either along the coastal path (nice kiosk to stop at along the way for some refreshments) or along the main road. You have a great place to eat that opened last year Mojito Bar & Grill just around the corner + the normal English Pubs.
Blue Spice has just re opened and looks fab although I hear it's a little pricey....also just around the corner from you. You have a small water park just up the road (not meant to be too inspirational!) although the one in Napa is great. Everything is to hand from rentals to watersports. You have 2 small tour offices just up from the Niata Pub, 'Christina Travel & Tours' and 'Platons' further into the centre

You will not recognise much Jon if you haven't been back for 10 years! I have trouble keeping up with the development each day at the moment!!!

Have a look at http://www.kapparis.info for some interesting info.

Cheers

Jon,don't know what board basis you are on but if you turn out of the complex down towards the sea and follow the coastal path to the right towards Protaras,you'll come to a great little outdoor eating place called Zafeiros Kiosk.It's a lovely place to sit and have a meal,snack or just a drink looking out over the Med.They do great breakfasts and lunches and have a small playground to keep the kids amused.I have a photo somewhere,I'll need to dig it out.

Thanks Dav, look forward to the photo if you manage to find it, cheers.
Also thanks Nemo for the link
Jon

PS. for Dav, we are self catering, but we eat out rather than cater for ourselves. I believe you can upgrade to All inclusive for 3 day periods, so we might have a couple of 3 dayers. See how much it is, it might be worth doing just for the brekkies and a few beers.

Jon,sorry but I haven't actually stayed there.I've been in Fig Tree Gardens across the road and several others in Pernera and Protaras but not the Papantonia.There are lots of great eating places in the area and many more if you venture into Protaras so IMO all inclusive "might" not be worth it.I know what you're saying though,there might be a few days where you just want to hang about the hotel and can't be bothered going out anywhere at night so having food and drink whenever you want,on tap,would be good.I still bet that you'll find a restaurant that you just want to go to every night but feel you have to try others!!
On a different note,as you have 2 young boys,there is a good little playpark on the top road into Protaras.If you head up passed the Paschallia you'll come to the road which goes into Pernera.Go onto this but head up the hill and you'll come to the main road from Paralimni to Protaras.Take a left here and walk along(it's straight and flat) for a few hundred yards and you'll come to the park down to your left.It's very young child orientated and I'm sure it'll keep them amused for a couple of hours.