It’s time for another hotel review! This one is extra special, because it’s where I spent my birthday this year. In this Grecian Sands Hotel review, I’m taking you inside the beachfront hotel in the stunning Ayia Napa, Cyprus. As you guys know, it was my birthday on 6 September (read my birthday post here) and in my usual fashion, I took myself out of the country in search of warmer waters.

I’m such a water baby. Being in warm water and celebrating my life beside one of God’s most magnificent creations just feels right. The ocean, the sand, everything about it makes me feel like me, in my most natural element and I’m grateful to be able to celebrate myself in this way. I also love a solo trip, I don’t know if it’s being an only child or something but time spent with myself is the best time for me! I love a girls trip as well, don’t get me wrong, my girls are everything! But taking a trip on your own and being able to decide what you want to do, at whatever time, wherever and however you want without having to take anyone else’s feelings into consideration is EXACTLY the kind of self-indulgence my birthday deserves!

I tried spending my birthday at home in UK but after so many years of it raining on 6 September during my school years, I made a vow to myself that as soon as I could afford it, I would make sure I was out of the country every year. And as someone who got my first job at 12 years old and never stopped working since (I was a paper girl throughout school and got a waitress job as soon as I turned 16), I’m so happy and proud of myself to have made that dream come true every year for the past few years by God’s grace.

Last year I was in Jamaica, the best birthday of my life! The year before that I was in Milton Keynes attending my first ever prayer conference (2024 was my BIG healing year where I shared my story) and then Jamaica again. I’m sure you can guess my favourite by now.

This year I had so many time constraints and commitments that Jamaica wasn’t possible. I needed somewhere closer that would still give me the vibes: luxury, restoration, sea and spa, great food and great weather. Not only did the temperature have to be soaring (I love being hot and feeling the sunshine on my face), I needed the water to be warm and the beach to be sandy. That immediately ruled out several of my favourite Euro destinations. Faro was out, Naples was out, mainland Spain was out. I realised I needed somewhere further into the Mediterranean, where September still gives proper summer vibes.

So after looking and researching like a maniac (mind you I’m not even good at geography until its time to book a holiday lol), I settled on the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus in particular, because it was hot, had warm water, sandy beaches and was a relatively easy journey from the UK. Now all that that was left was deciding WHERE to stay in Cyprus.

I wanted to be on the beachfront and take long walks on the golden sand, wake up to a view overlooking the beautiful blue water, and have access to restorative treatments like a spa with gym, sauna, massage services etc. while also having options at the hotel for dining and entertainment without constantly needing to leave the property . Grecian sands ticked everything on paper because it was described as bringing together the luxury, wellness and fun restorative experience I wanted.

GRECIAN SANDS HOTEL REVIEW – MY VERDICT

My Verdict: 8/10.

Grecian Sands is a beachfront hotel on the quieter, more restorative side of Ayia Napa, still within walking distance of the centre. It gave me exactly what I wanted for my birthday: sea views, restoration, good food, fun and the calm to slow down and celebrate myself on my own terms. The staff were very kind and my birthday experience was wonderful . It’s best for families and girls trips, and it works well for a restful solo trip if you’re happy to be visible on a public beach. It’s less suited to couples looking for a romantic, adults-only escape.

Let’s get into why and elaborate on my score.

*Disclaimer: I paid for my hotel myself, the hotel kindly upgraded my room to a bigger room. As always, all opinions are my own.

1. ARRIVAL AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS

I arrived at Larnaca Airport late at night around 10:30pm and I had a car booked to take me to the hotel. The drive was around 40minutes to get to the hotel but because it was late at night I wasn’t able to see much of the drive there although it was smooth and safe. Check in was great, the hotel staff helped me with my bags (Shout out to Talha who was incredible). I mentioned again (left a special request upon booking) that it was my birthday trip and they actually upgraded my room from a Standard Room with Sea view to a Studio room with Sea view. They made me feel welcome and safe.

I asked whether any food was available but unfortunately all the restaurants had finished serving food for the day. Talha showed me a local food app (Wolt) which was really helpful. I also found two red apples waiting for me in my room. The entrance was well lit, grand and modern but I was caught off-guard by the carpet in the halls. This might be a nit-pick, but I wasn’t expecting bright striped carpeted halls based on the imagery of the hotel. Rust, orange-brown and red stripes, the hard-wearing sort you’d find in a conference hotel, so it caught me off guard and made me quite nervous about what my room would be like.More on that in a moment.

A note on service: I’d contacted the hotel before my trip and everyone was extremely kind and friendly to me but I do think they are just some lovely people based on our conversations and I don’t believe it changed how I was treated. I paid full price for my stay and I’ve described the service as any guest would experience it.

Arrival and check-in: 9/10 ( I had put a note on my booking that it was my birthday and emailed prior to say it was my birthday so it would have been nice if this was acknowledged and maybe a drink upon arrival too).

2. THE ROOM

I stayed in a Studio Room Sea View on the second floor. My first reaction when I opened the door was honestly disappointment 🙁 I knowwww but I want to be honest with you guys. I’m a recovering perfectionist and I’ve travelled so much and stayed in so many hotels across several countries so when it comes to my birthday, I research the highest standard possible for me to not just be comfortable but to feel luxurious, pampered and cared for. I want the space to feel like a designer comfort blanket – pristine, elegant and modern and inviting me to my higher self. But that isn’t what I saw when I walked in.

Now, I had just come off a full day of travelling, it was late at night, plus I was hungry, so maybe that contributed to my first impression. But what I felt was that I’d walked into a budget 3 star hotel room than modern 4 star+ luxury-feel room. I paid over a thousand pounds for this 6 night stay (bed and breakfast) so I was naturally comparing it at that price point to places I had stayed before, like the Mondrian in Miami, or Epic Sana in Portugal and our own Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate, UK. Although that’s a normal rate for beachfront Ayia Napa in early September, so I’m not saying I was overcharged. But at that price point I’ve stayed somewhere that felt far more modern and considered, so my expectations were high. And even though the room was spacious, the decor and dowdy fabric sofa in the corner made it feel dated and took away from the overall impression. Truthfully, I was let down.

Moreover, the bed was huge and nicely firm and comfortable. The room had so much space and when I took a walk to the balcony I was shocked to find it was the size of an outdoor garden in London! I mean the balcony was so huge that it had a dining table with 2 two-seaters on either side of the table and still plenty of room to dance, stretch jump, heck even host an after-party! Its the largest balcony I’ve had in a hotel room, but what got me was the VIEW!

I was literally looking straight at the Mediterranean Sea, and I could actually hear the waves crashing on the beach even at that time of night. It was dark but I realised right there and then that with this hotel, you are paying for the view. And sure enough, the next morning when the sun arose I looked over the balcony and gasped! The view was glorious! The sea shone like a crown jewel as the sun’s hot rays danced on its surface like lapis lazuli, that gorgeous blue smiling at me, making all my earlier apprehensions pale in comparison.

There was ample storage as well, the wardrobe was a good size and contained two dressing robes (which looked slightly rough to the touch) ready to use, although one was stained but the other was fine, nothing fancy, and two pairs of branded slippers were included in the room too.

The bathroom was small and basic, a glass screen over a low bathtub and a handheld shower head. Nothing fancy to look at, but the water pressure was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed my hot showers every day. There was no way I was getting in that bath though. Cleaning standards were good with a sanitised seal on the toilet upon arrival and there was a bidet too which I love. I actually wish every hotel would make this standard. The bathroom was stocked with The White Company miniatures in the Lime & Bay range (conditioner, shampoo, body wash and lotion), plus soaps, a vanity set and a boxed shower cap.

One niggle: the telephone in my room didn’t work for my entire stay, despite my telling reception twice that it was out of service.

Room score = 6.5/10

3. THE LOCATION

This is what you’re really paying for. Grecian Sands sits on a cliff directly above the beach, with steps down to the sand, so you wake up to the Mediterranean and fall asleep to the sound of it. It’s literally the best spot around for iconic sunset beach photos. You will definitely take some stunning photos here that you’ll want to frame in your house and it’s one of the best sunsets I have ever seen. The centre of Ayia Napa is about a 10-15 minute walk away, so you can dip into the buzz and come straight back to the quiet. Larnaca Airport is around 40 minutes by car.

The only thing to know is that the beach is public, so even though the hotel is up the stairs from the beach – it’s not guarded or fenced to the public so that’s an important consideration for solo travellers or those seeking more privacy to consider. The great thing is that there are so many fun places to explore nearby, you can literally walk to Love’s Bridge which is about ten minutes away and there is even a bar/lounge called KAVIO next to the property which has the most lively day party on a Sunday that you can easily stop by for a dance or a meal. I think it’s the perfect location to meet people, enjoy the weather and take in the sea views.

Location score: 9/10

3. THE AMENITIES – SPA, GYM AND POOLS

The gym: I was so pleased to see a well stocked gym (y’all know the gym girlies workout even on holiday okay! haha 🙂 The gym is small but can comfortably fit 3 people at a time – more than that and I’ll feel like I’m in sweaty mosh pit. They have a good range of equipment from free weights, to cardio machines including a treadmill, bike and weight machines including lat pull down, hip abductor and my favourite the cable machine! There are plenty of mats, balls and towels, and a water machine. It was quiet every time I went (afternoons and evenings), and it’s open 7am to 7pm daily.

Yoga and fitness classes: There are classes here too, which is great if you want to be active and meet people. I didn’t attend any, but I’ve photographed the timetable for you below.

The spa: The spa had an indoor pool and what looked like a hot pool beside it, though I didn’t try either. There’s a range of treatments, and they had a deal on: three 30-minute massages across three days for €150, which I was going to book. But because the beach is public, I found a massage company right on the sand overlooking the ocean and had my treatments there instead. They were very good, so let me know if you’d like the details. The spa menu is below for anyone who wants to use the hotel’s.

The pools, garden and beach: The pool was right below my balcony but it was not loud at all, I don’t even think they had any music playing which was great. Sunbeds surrounded the pool but they didn’t get majorly occupied until after breakfast around 10am, I didn’t notice much demand for these poolside sunbeds perhaps because I never stay by the pool on holiday as I prefer natural water. The sunbeds overlooking the ocean get claimed very early, before breakfast. Even so, there was always space on the cliff, or you could stretch out on the big sofas by the pool bar and take in the view from a distance. The other option is to take the stairs down to the sea and pay €6.50 for a sunbed for the day from the local municipal officers or you could just take your towel and chitenge and lie on the sand for free, like me 🙂

Amenties score 8/10

4. MY BIRTHDAY EXPERIENCE

One thing that Grecian Sands hotel did NOT play about was my birthday! I truly think this boils down to the beautiful and kind people that work there. It started from my housekeeper, who noticed that my birthday breakfast had not been delivered and personally ran downstairs to call the catering manager Sally who then came up to apologise in person for missing my note about breakfast in bed.

She explained the mishap and asked if it was okay for her to fix me something now which was perfectly fine. The next thing I know, I’m hearing a knock on the door and theres like 4 women on the other side singing happy birthday to me and Sally there holding a slice of cake with a birthday candle on it and pushing a massive trolley of food! I was elated! The ladies wheeled the trolley in, waited for me to make a wish and blow out my candle, gave me all the birthday blessings and set up a beautiful arrangement on my enormous balcony with all the goodies from breakfast including a plate of fresh fruit and some grapefruit juice and hot tea. It was ‘beauriful’.

I went down to the sea for a swim, and on the way the guys at the bar heard it was my birthday and made me a fresh juice on the house. It’s like even the sea knew it was my birthday and God turned up the temperature of the water and told the waves to dance around me because it was so joyous in the water that day. When I came back up to change for dinner, there was another surprise waiting: a bottle of wine and glasses with a note full of birthday wishes. I don’t drink, but the thought meant so much to me.

For dinner, I’d found out that Grecian Sands’ sister hotel, Grecian Bay, has restaurants I was entitled to dine at too. One of the restaurants called ‘Fisherman’s hut’ was right on the beach and looked so simple and romantic – perfect for a reflective and intimate birthday dinner. So I told the reception host that’s where I wanted to be.  And God bless … because she took it so seriously,.She arranged everything: my ride, the timing around sunset for photos, the dinner itself, speaking to the other hotel and the restaurant and everyone involved so it would be seamless, and it surely was.

At 7pm I was collected in a limousine by a driver who drove me ten minutes to Grecian Bay where I was escorted upon arrival to the Fisherman’s hut restaurant right over the beach. The lovely doorman even stopped to capture photos of me on the way and I was delighted to find fresh food, the chef and waiter awaiting me at the restaurant.

It was really an exclusive experience, the restaurant was pretty much empty apart from one other table. The food was extremely delicious – seasoned to absolute perfection and the salad bar had the freshest selection of local greens and the tastiest olives and juiciest tomatoes. They gave me a small traditional-looking cake and sang me happy birthday whilst I made my wish, and then my driver took me back to my hotel to end what was the most perfect birthday night with praise and thanksgiving to God my father.

Special thanks to Sally, who took care of me with that breakfast; to Tommy, who made sure I got my birthday shot and even lent me one of his team – (thank you Rambo) to photograph me at sunset; and to Delina, who took amazing photos of me every time I went up to the rooftop restaurant. May God bless you richly.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS A BLACK WOMAN

I do have to talk about being the only Black person at the resort.

I was going to Cyprus so I was mentally prepared for some lack of diversity but I did not experience ANY racism during my time there. I did however experience the white gaze overwhelmingly so, that feeling of being watched and assessed as the only Black person in a space.

Of course this could be because I was dressing up every night to go to dinner and take photos, so naturally people will look regardless of their colour or location lol. But I also felt people staring while I was simply being myself in the water, on the beach, on the sunbeds, particularly the older crowd.

I can’t say for certain that I was stared at because I’m Black or because of some other reasons because nobody said anything. Well, except for the Cypriot man I met on the beach who asked if I had a boyfriend and said my genes would give him the most perfect children, because he’s a footballer and he thought I was fit. LOL, whew chile.

I did see one Black couple in the water during my stay which was nice. And I met some of the coolest girls who were so gorgeous and friendly from all over Europe, Israel and India. We took photos of each other and exchanged instagrams and complimented each other’s style. I love girlhood because we’re all just girls at the end of the day 🙂

So go, enjoy it, and just be aware of it before you travel.

SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL AT GRECIAN SANDS: HOW SAFE DID I FEEL?

Honestly, mostly safe, with one caveat. The hotel is built above a public beach, which means people on the sand can see you, and at times that made me feel more visible and less private than I’d like.

I was out at night on my own and got back perfectly safely, because there’s always someone around. But I take several precautions when I travel alone, and I’d tell any woman staying here to do the same and stay aware, especially on the beach. Do not tell anyone that you are travelling alone – you never know who’s watching or hearing that, and always keep your location on.

5. FOOD AND DRINK

The hotel has three restaurants Café Calypso, a relaxed all-day dining venue serving breakfast and lunch; Ithaka Restaurant, the more elegant evening restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean; and Roof Burger Bar, a rooftop restaurant offering gourmet burgers and salads alongside panoramic sea views. There are also two bars Ulysses Bar, a sophisticated cocktail and evening bar with a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, and Sunset Deck & Pool Bar, a laid-back poolside spot serving drinks, snacks and ice cream. In addition, the hotel has a Grill Bar situated between the pool and beach, offering casual lunches, snacks and grilled dishes.

Breakfast at Café Calypso: Honestly writing about the breakfast makes me want to have it right now! I might be biased because breakfast is my favourite meal of the day but this is the best food offering that this hotel has to offer. They had a brilliant selection of pastries, fruit, hot food and sweets. If you are veggie like me be aware that there was no vegetarian meat alternatives so no veggie sausages or tofu but they did have baked beans which as a British gal is always gonna be a staple for me. Gorgeous mushrooms, hash browns and gosh I just LOVE that they season their food. Unlike a certain kind of english breakfast, you can expect real flavour and freshness here.

The absolute HIGHLIGHT of breakfast for me was the halloumi cheese. My goodness me! That thanggggg had it going on. Absolutely beautiful – cooked to perfection – no rubbery blandness over here just tasty. I looked forward to it with glee and anticipation and would it be wrong to say I want to go back just for the halloumi? There’s an omelette station too, but I don’t eat eggs so I can’t report on it. I never rush breakfast, so I went at the absolute last minute every day, 9:45 to 10am when it closes, and by then it was winding down and I could sit at my favourite spot overlooking the sea.

Dinner at Ithaka: I ended up dining at Ithaka by accident and I’m so glad I did! I’d wanted a gyros by the beach for lunch, but I was too full from breakfast, so I decided to order around sunset, which coincided with my beach photoshoot. By the time I got back from the photoshoot, it was well into dinner service and the entertainment had arrived.

Guys, it was hilarious. The magician-audience awkwardness and his dad tricks were perfect and had me cracking up. I got my gyros in the end, which I was grateful for because it isn’t on the evening menu, and I didn’t want the buffet. The portion was HUGE and it was delicious, and I even got up at the end to dance to a brilliant live band playing everything from ABBA to the Bee Gees, with some Cypriot tunes in between. One thing about me I LOVE 70’s music so I fitted right in with the crowd. A great night. That said, if I’d had to pay €30 per person for the buffet, I might have gone to the local restaurants down the road instead.

Rooftop and bars: There’s a rooftop burger bar with beautiful views, though I never caught the sunset up there. I ate there once and really appreciated how they accommodated me: I didn’t want a burger, I wanted a salad with the veggie soya patty, and they made it happen. It was delicious. You do need a reservation, and there’s a smart-casual dress code (no beachwear), as there is in most of the restaurants, so it’s perfect for photos before a night out. Also shout out to Delina who took some amazing photos of me every time I went up there, thank you girl.

I also have to mention the poolside bar, my favourite spot for post-beach snacks and the MOST delicious fresh juices. Oh my goodness. I highly recommend fresh juice in the Mediterranean, because their fruit just tastes different to what I get in the UK and the US, refreshing and sweet and honestly its like they have life in them! Mmmm beautiful memories.

FOOD AND DRINK 8/10 (Breakfast was a joy. Dinner is where it wobbles, because if you’re not in the mood for a buffet or a burger, your options run out fast.)

What could be better – Grecian Sands Hotel Review

The rooms could be upgraded to feel more modern and luxurious. Simple things like updating the sofa for something that looks fresher and can be cleaned easily, adding softer robes and lighter, softer throws, and refreshing the bathroom with different tiling and a longer glass screen. It worked perfectly well, it just didn’t look the part.

The dinner offering needs more range for people who want more than a burger but less than a full buffet. It seems like a waste of a beautiful rooftop to serve only burgers, and a mix of served Cypriot dishes alongside them would be wonderful.

Longer breakfast hours, at least at weekends, would be amazing, and I’d love the spa and gym to stay open later.

My final verdict: Who Should book Grecian Sands?

Would I go back to Grecian Sands? Yes, but not at full price and not solo.

Book it if you’re planning a girls trip. I think it would be EXCELLENT for one. There’s enough room and enough options to do things together and still have solo time to recharge, plus boat cruises, day parties and the most picturesque sunsets for our Instagrams. Girls, GET READY. Ayia Napa 2027 is on the cards for us!

Book it if you’re a family. It’s a perfect European family spot. There were lots of families with children, activities covering a range of ages, and it’s quiet and safe enough to relax and enjoy each other.

Book it for a restful solo trip, if you want to recharge and explore Ayia Napa from a comfortable base, and you’re happy being visible on a public beach. Just be cautious, as I would anywhere. [Want a post dedicated to my solo travel safety tips for women? Tell me in the comments.]

Maybe skip it if you’re a couple looking for romance, because it isn’t adults-only and it’s busy with families. If you just want to relax together and aren’t especially romantically inclined, it could still work.

OVERALL: 7/10

Check prices and book Grecian Sands here

Thank you once again to the entire team at Grecian Sands, who made my stay so enjoyable and memorable. I appreciate every act of kindness, and wish you God’s blessings.

(PS: I forgot my white jacket at the hotel. If you’re reading this, please can you send it? 😅)

BEFORE YOU GO ❤️

That’s my honest Grecian Sands hotel review. I hope you enjoyed it, my darlings, and I’ll keep sharing my travels with you.

More hotel reviews from me: Rudding Park · Mondrian Miami · Epic Sana Portugal 

Tell me in the comments: what’s the one thing that makes or breaks a hotel for you?

Love and Light

MC xx