Cosmos Maris

Cosmos Maris details

With its peaceful setting and friendly vibe, the family-run Cosmos Maris is great for a relaxed beach holiday.

This hotel draws guests back year after year for several reasons. It’s family-run, friendly and a five-time winner of our Gold award. And its location is great. Set against rugged hills and fields outside the village of Lothiarika, near Lardos, it’s in a peaceful spot, with a shingle beach five minutes’ walk away.

Days here pretty much focus on the pool. Good-sized and sunk into sunny terraces, it’s great for kicking back and has a corner cordoned off for toddlers. There are more than enough sunbeds and parasols to go round, too.

When it comes to food, the poolside is the place. Overlooking the water is a semi-circular, open-sided bar that doubles as the restaurant. It serves breakfasts and a full menu of Greek, Italian and English-style choices all day.

As far as looks go, the Cosmos Maris is designed to blend into its surroundings – it’s low-key and painted in pretty white and yellow. And in terms of accommodation, we’re talking light, modern and well-maintained self-catering apartments. Most are studios sleeping two or three with a kitchenette and balcony or terrace. The apartments, meanwhile, are more spacious, with four single beds.

Last but not least, there’s the location. There’s a supermarket and restaurants and bars in the village. And if you want to spread your wings further, Lardos’ tavernas are a 20-minute walk away. Plus local buses will run you to Pefkos, with its sandy beaches, and picture-postcard Lindos, ten minutes down the road.