We stayed at the Rising Star Apartments end July/start August. It was fab. Got very hot towards the end but we loved it. Rooms not massive but they serve a purpose. Not enough wardrobe space and the lighting in the bedroom isn't great. Thats about as bad as it gets. We were on the fourth floor - room 410. Magic views over the beach and pool. Didn't eat at the hotel very much just the odd lunch - but what we had was lovely. The entertainment - well what can I say - Andy is a legend in his own lunchtime!! The man is brilliant at what he does and is wasted. Hope Thomas Cook appreciate what they have. Sarah is magic too and she is learning from the master! They remember everyone's name, always have a word with you and always smile! They really made our holiday. There were always enough beds round the pool - even at 10am but it did start to get very busy on our last day - 3/8/08.

Just returned from Protaras after the 3rd time,stayed at the Rising Star for the second time.Hotel is very clean and rooms are very spacious.The one down side on rooms is that they could do with a set of drawers but you can get by.Air conditioning is now included free of charge and most of staff are very pleasant day and night.Entertainment was good but i didn't think it was as good as before as there are not so many activities for the under 10's,having said that they have just started doing a few more party tunes during the day.Overall it's hard to fault much about the hotel or location of it but it's not so cheap no more so you do expect a good stardard for the money you are paying.Had friends staying in the Vrissiana and i think the actual rooms are more spacious in the Rising Star and cheaper.

2nd time we have been here fantastic views great staff beautiful views. Very hot so please use high factor. We still got a lovely tan.

Andy the entertainer was fab.

If you have booked this hotel you will have a great time. I highly recommend it. Adults and kids struck up friendships immediately. All the holiday makers were friendly around the pool. Special mention to Danny the waiter and our fab cleaner

Hotel is new clean and location is good just dont stay in roomm 532 as it is noisey because there is a water pump for the whole block just above which pumps when needed i.e first thing in morning and last thing at night but when it starts there is rumble sound and just as it stops all the pipes vibrate avoid this room if you want to get to sleep in peace.

the rising star is a great family hotel.
there is plenty of stuff for the children to do andy and michelle the reps worked really hard and long hours to keep people entertained.
room service was great linen changed twice in a week and cleaned every other day but bins emptied every day.
on one occasion we were putting the baby down for a nap so asked that the room be left the maid was great and tapped lightly on the door to give us our fresh towels.
we had a side sea view and to our left had a gorgeous church on the hillside to look at.we would ask for a sea view room next time we go though.
can't really comment on night time entertainment as we were out every night but we did have a couple of drinks in the bar and the staff were friendly.the location was great for us as it was near enough to walk to the bars and restaurants but far enough away so that there was no noise.
pool was clean and there was plenty of sun lougers to go round even though people were reserving them.
we sunbathed on the grassy area as you could see the sea and the pool which
meant we could keep an eye on our daughter.i will say people wise this was the most friendliest hotel we have stayed in everyone we spoke to had been before and we would also book again but maybe for two weeks next time.

Returned on Sunday from a fantastic holiday at this hotel.
1.Hotel cleanliness/staff. Hotel was kept really clean.We had our room cleaned everyother day and towels were changed twice each week and we had three changes of bed linen. Service staff could be observed through out the 2weeks going about there duties, ie, windows, balconies, floors,cleaning lifts, pool area. Waiters/ress's were always pleasant and greeted you with a smile, in particular Alex ( head waiter)others I remember are Yana and Alexis. Hotel manager is a bit of a grump though, he always complained when the staff switched on the water features in the pool, so they got switched off, which was a shame as the kids loved them.The night receptionist was also miserable.

2, Hotel food. Our first week we had a choice of meals for breakfast and dinner a there wan't many people at the hotel. This was really good but the following week it was buffet service. Breakfast was the usual full english along with cold meats and fruit. Evening meals were not that good,soup, two choices of meat, one fish, then potato or chips and pasta with fruit for afters. Nothing for children.Afew people were complaining but nothing was done for the adults but the kids could pick off the childrens menu. Twice a week there was a barbecue and a carvery evening which was really good and you could eat as much as you wanted.

3, Hotel location. Right by the beach, although it was rather rocky, you didn't have to walk very far to find a sandy point. I invested in some crocs for this. It's away from all the bars in the main resort so you don't hear any thing on an evening. Rising Sun Pub is within easy reach and has some good acts on ie, Elvis, Robbie, Beatles, Kylie, Blues Bros, Freddie Mercury, Motown etc. The bloke who does the Kareoke (Lance) is a nice bloke but tends to hog the mike!!!! and he reminds me on Dennis Pennis.Had some fantastic evenings there.

4, Entertainment. Andy and Michelle were the reps in charge of keeping everyone amused. They were really friendly and helpful.They don't badger you into joining, if you say no that's okay with them. Activities started at 10am and finished around 4ish which included pool boogie, quizzes, polo, boules etc. Can't comment on the evening as we never stayed but they did games, quizzes and mini discos.

5, Rooms. We had a studio for three and found it big enough for us but it lacked storage space ie no drawers so we had clothes lying around all,over the place. I don't think the bigger rooms are much better.We had a fridge, mini oven/grill, toaster, fridge and a kettle. There is a safe in the wardrobe which you cann hire for 20 euros plus 5 deposit. Are conditioning is free but you must ring reception to ask to have it switched on. Dial "0" The corridors are carpeted so you don't hear people walking up and down which is a godsend in the early hours. Hate high hells on marble!

6, Pool. Lovelly area however by the end of our two weeks it was looking rather cloudy!!!!When we arrived there didn't seem to be many sunbeds but still managed to get two everyday. By the end of our first week they brought out quite a few more as it was approaching half term, then the reservation by 8am started!! I was up early one morning taking some sunrise photo's and observed quite a few people putting towels on at 5.30 and these same people didn't come down to the pool till 2ish. It shouldn't be allowed. The best place to sunbathe is looking out to see on the grassy area as there is always plenty beds there and it gets the sun all day, unlike the pool which is completely in the shade by 6pm. The pool gently shelves and at it's deepest point is abouyt 5ft, there is also a small pool for the toddlers and a jaccuzi but the hotel manager doesn't like the water features switched on for some reason.

I have booked up to go back here next year but have opted to go self catering into a 1 bedded apt.

We had two lovely week in May, large clean room, fantastic sea view, no charge for air con, plenty of sun beds, dusk to dawn sun, etc etc.

We read a number of reviews on this and other sites and were impressed, having been I can see why people enthuse about this place so much. Its everything a 3 star hotel should be and more.

Cyprus itself is lovely, the people are friendly although the dreaded Euro has ensured its nowhere near as good value as it used to be but don't let that put you off.

Would recommend the Indian restaurant upstairs - two doors down from the downstairs one (which is mediocre to say the least) Red Indian Diner (very good) and the Love Boat bar - you'll see it.

Without doubt we'll go back to this place and I've already recommended it to friends.

Enjoy.

Arrived Wednesday 6 people found the desk staff Very grumpy especially the old boy everything was a bother asked him did our rooms have a pool view as we had requested this as one of our couples was celebration a special occasion he grunted all rooms have a sea view (when we got to the rooms the sea view was there if you leaned out and looked to the right.

The 3 rooms had a view of a ploughed field we asked to be change at least one room but there was always an excuse after this sour start we did not use the hotels facilities much the location was good near the beach and close to supermarkets ect the cleaners were very nice as were SOME of the bar staff.


(By the way we were told that the management take 80% of tips so if you are tipping give it to the waiter not old grumpy at the front desk.

Our time at this hotel was excellent the weather at this time of year was superb,the apartments were clean and tidy the only day maids didn't come was Sunday. The food for lunch time was adequate but glad we did not go half board-not much choice portions were decent though. There were plenty of local eating places Erato being one of them and the italian near to mcdonalds excellent. Hotel staff were pleasant, we were not around for eve entertainment as went out, throughout the day the entertainment boys were good. We would certainly visit this hotel again.

Brilliant hotel on beach. Clean and friendly. Pool area lovely and clean pleasent to look at. Food round pool really good.

Can't wait to go back its a must for all ages.