Cyprus travel review: Lusting for life

So it's no wonder millions of tourists also lust after this pearl of the Mediterranean as a holiday destination.

Lesser known than the usual tourist playgrounds is Larnaca, an ancient capital of the island and an area steeped in history and tradition.

The town and the surrounding areas are having something of a boom at the moment with a multi-million pound seafront promenade development that features dozens of bars, restaurants and blue flag beaches. Just about a mile up the coast is the chic McKenzie Beach, with its bars and nightspots.

• Bill stayed at the renovated and refurbished, popular Palm Beach Hotel & Bungalows (www.palmbeachotel.com) on the outskirts of charming Larnaca (www.larnakaregion.com) Cyprus’ southern coastal resort town, a firm favourite with the locals themselves.

• Room rates from 97 euros per night based on 2 adults sharing a room on bed and breakfast basis.

• Monarch, the scheduled leisure airline, operates year-round flights to Larnaca from Birmingham, London Luton, London Gatwick and Leeds Bradford airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £99 one way (£166 return)

Our holiday could be described as a winter break and we dropped lucky with the March weather, with almost unbroken sunshine.

We flew in to Larnaca airport with Monarch airlines from Birmingham and had a pleasant surprise with having only a 20-minute drive to our four-star luxury hotel, the Palm Beach Hotel and Bungalows.

It has an imposing presence with four floors of rooms facing the well-tended gardens to the front and the same at the rear of the hotel, with rooms overlooking the sea.

As the name implies there is also a mini complex of bungalows in the garden area, which can offer B&B, half-board or self catering deals.

It is approached via a palm tree laden driveway. The hotel is well into a six million euro refit, which became immediately apparent as we entered the reception. It has a light and airy feel with three bars, restaurant and outdoor bars and eating areas.

The bungalows too, have their own separate bar area. The rear of the hotel is just yards from the sea front and boasts a large pool and any number of sunbeds.

Other facilities include a gym, indoor pool, spa area conference facilities.

But the piece de resistance was our sea-facing room.

All the rooms on that floor have been expensively re-fitted with comfortable beds and classy furniture, while the bathroom has the highest quality fixtures and fittings and even an electric blind so you can admire it from the balcony.

Don't forget to close it though, if using the bathroom!

Wi-fi is free throughout the hotel and there are now tea and coffee making facilities to all rooms. Even if March you can laze around by the pool, take a dip in the sea, or join the joggers and cyclists up and the down the path between hotel and beach.

Alternatively, you can join one of the many free excursions offered by a syndicate of hotels, the local tourist board and attractions.

The programme runs from November 1- April 30, and offers a packed timetable with something different every day of the week, from birdwatching to visiting a nearby camel park. Our choice was an excursion to the picturesque villages of Lefkara, which specialises in lacemaking. The local women can be seen sitting the streets practising their art.

When you consider the cost of excursions and activities this is quite an offer and a huge saving on your holiday budget.

At the hotel we stayed B&B, but snacks can be bought at the hotel throughout the day and the evening meal is certainly worth a try.

Alternatively there are many fine restaurants in Larnaca itself, just a 10-minute drive away or with a group of shops, bars and restaurants opposite the hotel.

If you just fancy a drink, try Cozzis Bar across the road, where the owner Coz offers a warm Cypriot welcome and delivers plenty of local knowledge with a distinctive north London twang.

The town of Larnaca has a swish beachfront and plush marina while shoppers can find many well known stores on the two main shopping streets.

For a snack, try Alasia a small cafe bar on the seafront, which serves excellent Cypriot food.

Also worth visiting is the medieval fort, built by the Ottomans and used as a prison by the British and the spectacular ninth century St Lazarus Church, right in the heart of the town, which houses the tomb of the saint.

It may have been the back end of winter, but in Cyprus the sun nearly always shines and a warm welcome is guaranteed.