Our complete guide and review for the Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Hotel, Paphos

During our trip to Paphos, we decided to stay in two different hotels. We wanted to explore the different sides of the city – the more relaxing side on the beachfront and also the main town. Plus, we managed to find a fantastic deal on booking.com so it was hard to turn it down! 

We stayed at the Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Hotel for 4 nights, where we originally opted for bed and breakfast only. We were offered a discounted rate to upgrade for all-inclusive for only 20 euros per person, so we treated ourselves on our last day!

Read on for our complete guide and review to the Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Hotel. See if the hotel is for you and plan your stay with us! 😊

Location: 

The Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris is located approximately 20 minute’s drive from Paphos Airport and is easily accessible by bus or taxi. It’s a very modern and stylish 4-star resort located on the beachfront. 

The front of the hotel is located just off the main road towards Paphos town, but rest assured that the hotel is far away from the road for you not to be disturbed!

Top tip: There is a sister hotel just next door called the Leonardo Cypria Bay, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled when you arrive so you don’t’ go to the wrong hotel! 🙂 

Our first impressions

Upon arrival at the Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris, we were greeted by the front desk team, who warmly welcomed us to the resort. They checked our temperatures (as per Covid regulations) and seated us in the lobby to fill out pre-arrival forms. The staff brought us a glass of champagne whilst we filled out the forms. And who can turn down champagne after a full day of travelling!

Our first impression of the hotel on arrival was spectacular. We felt as though we had walked into a palace. From the high ceilings in the lobby, to the beautiful interior we were thrilled to be there! They also had complimentary soft drinks in the lobby area. We loved the lemonade so much that we had a glass every time we left the hotel.

The roomS: 

We stayed in a double room with a mountain view – and the views were truly amazing to wake up to. Sometimes, hotel rooms can feel quite cramped and not very spacious, but the room was far from that. There was enough space for you to relax after a long day of sightseeing or relaxing by the pool. 

The hotel provided all the basic amenities (hairdryer, iron, ironing board, gowns, slippers, safe, shower gel, shampoo). Nothing would ever be too much trouble for the Leonardo team. If you need anything in particular, you can easily call them from your room, or pop down to reception.  

Key room features/ highlights: Double room with mountain view 

• Breath-taking view of the mountains 
• Balcony 
• Mini fridge 
• Large rainfall shower 
• Queen sized bed 

Other room options at the Leonardo Plaza cypria maris:

There are over 15 different types of rooms available at the Leonardo Plaza, with varying prices depending on the size and whether or not it has a sea view. Be sure to check out their website for an overview of the room types available.

• Twin/ double sea view
• Bungalow garden view
• Swim up studio garden view
• Studio sea view
• Superior inland view
• Twin/ double inland view

Our top tips for booking a room at the Leonardo Plaza cypria maris: 

• Specify if you want a sea view room or a mountain view room. You may be able to change this on the day when you arrive if there are spare rooms available. Sea view rooms cost a little more.
• If you want to make your stay extra special, email in advance to let the reception team know that it’s your birthday, anniversary, etc.
• If you originally booked for bed and breakfast only, there is the chance that you can upgrade to all-inclusive when you arrive. Simply mention it to the reception team during your stay. We were able to upgrade from B&B to all-inclusive for 20 euro per person per day. This included a buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, snacks and a buffet dinner. Not bad value at all! 
• Have a browse around for the best deals online and book accommodation and flights separately to minimise cost. We found the best price on Booking.com.

The swimming pools: 

There are 4 outdoor pools at the Leonardo, which are all within close proximity to each other. Each pool offers something different and you truly are spoilt for choice!

Main swimming pool: 

The main pool is located at the back of the hotel, which overlooks the beach. The pool is extremely large with different areas for you to relax and several in pool sunbeds for you to enjoy. These are extremely popular, so be sure to get there quick! 

The hotel organises aqua-aerobics several times a week to join free of charge.

Small swimming pool: 

Just next door to the main swimming pool, there is a smaller swimming pool. This is great for those who just want to take a dip in the pool and have a break from the scorching Cypriot sun. The majority of the guests used the main pool, so if we wanted to have a bit more space, we’d switch between the two. 

Jacuzzi pool: 

The jacuzzi was extremely popular and was always busy, especially during late afternoon when the sun starts to go down. You’ll find it just next to the main pool and it can seat up to 10 people. 

Thetis Beachfront Swim up bar: 

The swim up bar was the most popular pool every day of the week. What’s better than sipping a cocktail in the swimming pool and not having to stand around on dry land waiting to be served? Like the jacuzzi pool, the swim up bar would also get very busy, especially after lunch times, so be sure to get there early!

*All drinks were served in plastic cups and you were allowed to take them into the pool.

OUR Top tips: 

• There’s lots of sunbeds around the main pool and beach front so you shouldn’t have any problems securing a bed. However, it can get quite busy and many guests tend to head down to find a lounger after breakfast, around 9:30am. If you want to go after lunch, you may struggle to find sunbeds in a good spot. 
• Sunbed towels are provided for free, but you’ll need to pay a 10 euro deposit, which is refundable when you leave. You can collect the towels from the fitness centre and swap for a fresh towel at the end of the day. 

Spa and fitness center: 

The spa is located at the front of the hotel, next to the lobby and reception area. There’s a heated indoor pool (which was sadly closed due to Covid) and a spa and steam room. Spa treatments; such as a fish spa, massage and manicures, were available on a pre-booked basis. 

The Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Hotel also has a decent sized fitness centre, which you’ll find beneath the outdoor pool area. The gym is fully equipped with a squat rack, free weights and cardio machines. We were thoroughly impressed by it, considering it was a hotel gym! Be sure to check the opening and closing times so you can fit a quick workout into your day. 

Other sports activities on offer at the Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris include: 

• Tennis court *a deposit is required for the balls and rackets 
• Beach volleyball
• Squash court *a deposit is required for the balls and rackets 
• Table tennis
• Pool table *additional charge
• A giant chess board

THE MAIN BEACH

One of the best things about the Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Hotel is that it’s right on the beach! This peaceful corner of Paphos has a long promenade and the Leonardo is just one of the hotels that sits on this long blue flag beach strip. The sun loungers at the hotel spread out onto the beach and you can walk there in less than 2 minutes from the hotel swimming pool.

Enjoy water sports such as jet ski’s, windsurfing and parasailing or have fun on a banana boat ride. The water sports operator is affordable and fully certified for safety. Alternatively, simply relax on the beach or go for a sunset stroll down the rocky promenade.

Bars and restaurants: 

The Blue Horizon Restaurant:

The Blue Horizon is the main restaurant where buffet breakfast and dinner are served. It’s located on the ground floor, next to reception. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating and often has live entertainment on an evening. The balcony outdoor seating provides an upbeat atmosphere, whilst the inside of the restaurant is much quieter.

When entering Blue Horizon, the staff checked our temperatures and asked us to sanitise our hands before serving. There were disposable gloves to use around the buffet.

The serving times at The Blue Horizon are:

Breakfast: 7am – 10am 

Dinner: 7pm – 9:30pm 

Mare Restaurant: 

Situated on the ground floor, just next door to the outdoor pool area, is the light and casual Mare Restaurant. This is where lunch and snacks are served throughout the day (for all-inclusive guests). Seating is available both indoors and outdoors.

There was a variety of different options during lunch, with hot meals (pizza, burgers, pasta, rice, chicken, fish) and different sides (salad, coleslaw, potatoes). They also had a huge variety of desserts! The chefs were always working hard to top up the food when they were running low and the dishes was incredibly fresh and tasty!

Snacks were also served for guests that were all inclusive. There was a small selection of all-day treats such as fruit, ice cream and pizza. 

The restaurant served lunch from 12:30pm – 2:30pm whilst snacks were available all day. 

Mourayio Greek Taverna: 

The Mourayio Greek Taverna is an al fresco recreation of a traditional taverna restaurant. The menu serves typical Greek cuisine and a reservation is required and guests who are staying all inclusive are able to dine at the taverna once when staying at least 3 nights stay. Alternatively, if you’re staying bed & breakfast, you can still dine here but will need to secure your reservation with reception and pay for the set menu. This is a cost per person with 3 courses and a drink included. 

The Mourayio Greek Taverna dining hours are 7pm – 10pm.

Egao Asian Restaurant: 

You’ll find the stylish Egao Asian Restaurant right next door to the Greek Taverna, with a superb panoramic view of the pool and the beachfront. It makes for a truly romantic setting! If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine, then this is the place to be! Be sure to pre-book at reception ahead of time. Guests who are staying all inclusive are able to dine here with a minimum of a 3 night stay. Alternatively, if you’re staying bed & breakfast, you can still dine here but will need to secure your reservation with and pay for the set menu, as with the Greek Taverna.

Egao Asian Restaurant’s dining hours are from 7pm – 10pm.

ADRIAne Lounge Bar: 

Located next door to reception, the Ariadne Lounge Bar is open from 10am – midnight, serving drinks, snacks and lunch. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating available, which is perfect if you want a break from the daytime sun. The view of the pool and beach in the distance is excellent!

The bar gets busy during the evenings after dinner, where you can sip on a cocktail (or champagne if you’re celebrating a special occasion 😉 ). 

Erato club bar: 

Located on the ground floor, the Erato club bar is an indoor hotel bar, with an art deco feel to it. It features a dance floor and seating areas with romantic lighting. 

It’s the ideal place to for an after-dinner drink, and then dancing late into the evening.

The bar is open from 9pm – 1am but whilst we were there, it closed at midnight due to Covid-19. 

Our top tips: 

• Tables for the A La Carte restaurants need to be booked in advance at reception. Be sure to book well in advance during peak holiday times. Even during Covid times in September, they got booked up really quickly. 
• As with most all-inclusive resorts, it can get quite busy and crowded, so we recommend eating out a little earlier. The majority of guests come down an hour before closing, so try to get there early if you can. You’ll avoid waiting around and queuing. 

Other useful details: 

• Wi-Fi is available inside and outside the hotel. The connection was really good and had no issues, even when streaming videos. The Wifi password will be given to you at check in.
• 24/7 concierge is available, so if you have any queries, someone is always available to help. 
• Towels are changed on a daily basis.
• The hotel is adult- only, which is fantastic for those who seek a more relaxing and quieter atmosphere. Saying that, the hotel also has a lively vibe too. A poolside DJ and busy bar area are part of the Leonardo experience.
• You can rent a bike to explore the nearby area. Simply enquire at reception and book a bike for X amount of time.
• There’s a car park outside the front of the hotel, which is free of charge for guests at the Leonardo.

Nearby attractions and amenities:

• The closest supermarket to the hotel is just across the road, called Aliathon supermarket. It’s about a 5-minute walk away and they sell all the essentials that you may need. There are also a few other convenience stores that sell water, snacks, alcohol and souvenirs. You’ll find them all on the main road just outside the hotel.
• Whilst we were in Paphos, we noticed that there weren’t many ATM’s around, but luckily for us, there was one right opposite the hotel. The ATM is outside though, so take extra care.
• One of the best things about the hotel is its location. It overlooks an amazing promenade. Follow the path for a scenic walk by the beach-front.
• If you don’t mind a bit of walking, you can reach Paphos town by foot in 35 minutes. The walk is extremely peaceful and there is a footpath along the promenade that you follow to the marina. We would advise walking one way and catching a cab or bus back. It can get really hot and uncomfortable, especially in the summer months!

Overall thoughts: 

Overall, we really enjoyed our time at The Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris and shared some wonderful memories during our stay. As with all hotels, there’s always pro’s and con’s and we wanted to share our own review of the Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Hotel with you. These are our own opinions and may be different from others. 

Positives: 

• The rooms are beautifully decorated and you could see that the hotel prides itself on its appearance. The Leonardo Plaza is an incredibly modern hotel, with chic decor and all the amenities you could ever need!
• The main swimming pool is huge! Even though the hotel was quite busy, it didn’t seem overly packed as the pool was so spacious. 
• It can be quite stressful trying to locate a sunbed when you are on holiday. People often reserve them by leaving their towels on before going to breakfast. There were lots of sunbeds available and you were always guaranteed to get one. 
• The hotel had a nice, upbeat atmosphere and there was always something going on. A live DJ playing at the weekend and music played in the background during the week. It’s definitely the resort to be in if you’re in your 20’s and early 30’s!
• The hotel is in a fabulous location, right on the beachfront. You could be on the beach within a 2-minute walk from the hotel. The location was simply perfect for post-meal strolls along the harbour! And did we mention the watersports!?

Areas for improvement: 

• The evenings would get slightly rowdy with guests drinking until midnight and as we went to sleep before twelve, we often heard people returning to their rooms. It wasn’t anything major and didn’t happen every night, but as the walls were thin, we could hear everything. 
• On the last day we upgraded to all-inclusive and wanted to make the most of the cocktails on offer. The quality of these drinks wasn’t that great and we found them a bit too concentrated with juices.
• Whilst the hotel did take into consideration Covid health and safety measures, we feel that they could have reinforced these even more. For example: 
  • The usage of face coverings and compulsory use of disposable gloves at the buffet. They weren’t compulsory and were only there if guests wanted to use them. 
  • The swim-up pool bar got very busy towards the late afternoons and it wasn’t very Covid safe. We felt like the Leonardo could have set up stricter rules, e.g. a maximum of X people in the pool bar at one time and prompts for social distancing.

Our overall REVIEW score: 7/10

We had a really pleasant stay at Leonardo and would recommend this hotel for those who prefer a lively atmosphere. We deducted a few points due to the quality of food and drink, as well as a few other points we’ve mentioned above. It was also easier for us to be a bit pickier, as we stayed at another hotel during our stay, which we rated higher. Check out our review of the King Jason Paphos here.

We hope you found our full review of the Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris hotel useful and can use our guide to help plan your stay. Please leave any comments down below, or drop us a message. Until the next time! 🙂

BY SUSIE

Author bio:

I’m is a passionate traveller that loves a sunny beach holiday, but also appreciate the cultural side to a trip and checking out undiscovered destinations. I’m the go-to Toucan Traveller for great holiday stories, cool photos and foodie recommendations.

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