This might be my 4th or 5th time of staying at the Frangiorgio Hotel Apartments. I happened to be in the round area of Larnaca those days and thought to drop by for a night stop here as well. Being a family-run business you will immediately feel the Cypriot hospitality.

Reception: I find the people behind the reception desk warm, polite and very friendly. The owner comes and goes but you will surely see him popping in at different times of the day. The day I was there Evi Maria was in charge of the reception but when somebody else was behind the desk she was supervising the kiosk. I found her polite and attentive.

Kiosk: The hotel’s mini market remains open throughout the day and night. What a relief to find everything you need to buy just a floor below where you stay! I always drop by before going up to the apartment to buy some milk and water, some crackers or a magazine. The collection of products sold here is rich and besides groceries you can buy magazines, newspapers or telephone cards. It is of great help to the guests and surely it is highly appreciated.

Room: My apartment was on the first floor this time and it was # 109. Luckily it was at the back of the hotel overlooking a huge white wall but it was much quieter than having a room overlooking the street. You see, there are times when some stupid guys want to show off and speed out in the street making much noise. This is a problem that all city hotels face though. The apartments have a good size, with kitchen and all necessary facilities for long term rental the year round.

The apartment I had this time was spacious with a huge fridge in the kitchen. There were one or two things missing from the cupboards I can admit and I let the management know about it so that they would be replaced.
It is advisable to let the management know if something is missing or if there is something wrong because otherwise this can spoil your holidays. The management will see to the matter immediately.
The flat as always was spotlessly clean and comfortable. I did not mind it at all that I had to spend the whole day indoors, as it was freezing cold outside. I checked emails in the lobby and watched TV in the comfortable sitting room of my apartment that day.

Bedroom: The bedroom had two singles. The one I slept on was quite comfortable. Of course I did not take clothes out of the luggage this time since I was moving somewhere else the following day, but the wardrobes are huge for somebody who wishes to stay long. In reality there are tourists who stay here to avoid the heavy winters in their countries and return home again in spring. I have met one such couple at the lobby who were telling me that they consider their stay here as their second home.

The satellite TV set in the apartment is a bit peculiar to use and as always I asked for some help, but as soon as the lady showed me what to do in minutes I remembered and it was indeed quite simple to use. I was informed that this complicated system will soon be replaced with a new simpler one shortly. At this point you have to use two remote controls to switch on a channel.

Lobby/ Internet: The lobby is not that big but it is neat, clean and nicely decorated. I believe it has recently been renovated and looks brighter now. Internet access is free out here so it is the only place you will come across other guests mostly those with laptops. You might spot one or two by the bar as well. Of course if somebody wants to have internet up in the room then he has to pay a small fee. The pieces of furniture in the lounge are comfortable and there is plenty of space to place your things on the central table and work from out there.

One or two negatives concerning this specific spot is that there are times when somebody might smoke a cigarette out here and the room smells badly. Smoking should be prohibited.
The second negative is that the lobby is not that warm in winter because guests pass through the main entrance all the time and sometimes they forget the door wide open when they leave the premises letting the cold come in. Luckily winter does not last long!
It was one of the coldest days Larnaca had for years when I were there so I remained at the premises till late afternoon. I spent much time at the lobby working and Evi Maria was kind enough to offer me a cup of tea with honey when I told her that I had a sore throat.

Continental Breakfast is upon request and you will be charged some extras if you wish to have one. It is served at the mezzanine but I don’t think people who stay here are interested to have their breakfasts there. You can have a superb breakfast just the way you like it in your apartment. I have never been out there either and I always prepare my breakfast myself.

Bathroom: Although small, it was as always spotlessly clean. There was soap for the hands and shower gel for the body. Mind you there was no plastic cap though so if you come here have one with you. Towels were bright white and had a pleasant scent. Everything was so bright and clean in the bathroom and the new facilities indeed make the difference.

Ambience: I would say it has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. They care for their guests and the management will do everything possible for you to have relaxing holidays.
The hotel is not that new but renovations have been made some years back. There is a free parking lot for those who come here by car but you might have to pay some extras if you want the air conditioning in summer. Have this cleared before booking to avoid possible misunderstandings because it is true that summers are really hot and you really need the air condition to be on.

Location: Situated in the heart of Larnaca you have all the main attractions at your feet. There are lots of museums in the area, and it is only a 3 minute walk to get to the main seafront with the shallow waters, ideal for children. The beautiful marina with the yachts will give you the chance to get a boat and have a tour around the coast or you can do some scuba diving if you wish.

Public Transport: Local buses can be considered the most cost effective way of exploring all aspects of the region including local villages and tourist locations in town. This is an ideal way to discover small residential villages, scenic locations, talk with the locals maybe stop off for a traditional coffee in one of the village cafes (kafenio). Believe me it does not get much more authentic than that….this is what I do when I get to Cyprus…mixing up with locals in villages.

Climate: The coldest months of the year are January and February. You see, Cyprus’ intense Mediterranean climate consists of hot dry summers commencing in mid-May running through to mid-September with milder temperatures throughout Spring and Autumn. The island offers clear skies and sunshine for most of the year.

Free Half-Day Excursions: A bonus for guests staying in Larnaca’s hotels & Apartments from November till March. This journey will take you through authentic village life giving the guest the chance to visit Lefkara and Tochni, take part in traditional cooking sessions, have a stroll in the stone-paved narrow alleys and feel the Cypriot authentic hospitality. Surely not to be missed!

Tip: As soon as you get to Larnaca, get to the Tourist Information office and get the latest leaflets, do some studying and plan your holidays accordingly.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this specific hotel apartment for all the above reasons I have given.