imolinar, I'm not sure where you're from but Cyprus is a popular package holiday destination from colder parts in Europe just like Tenerife, Crete or Majorca. They offer sunshine, beaches and decent priced restaurants.
They don't have the standards of the hotels in Dubai or beaches like in the Maldives, but it's an affordable place to go to. It might sound like I sell it short, but I quite like it a pint of beer for 10 Dhs :). It does depend on which part of Cyprus you go to if it will be cheap and cheerful or not, some parts are as expensive as here and the hotels are not as great, but the country it self is pretty charming.
I think Cyprus used to be much more popular when it was good value for money. Now, the prices are so inflated that I don't think it's worth it. But you are wrong about the beaches. Some of the most wonderful beaches in Europe are in Cyprus. The weather in May will definitely be warm enough for beach/pool by May.
I do agree with you that most of the "resorts" in Cyprus need a lot of work to catch up to the prices they charge! There are a couple of nice hotels, but I think they are all on the Limassol/Pafos side.
My husband is there now on vacation...and he says it's heavenly (coming from a guy who keeps telling me he'll never go back! ;)).
I havent been to Cyprus for over 11 years, but at the time I thought the beaches were lovely. Plenty of sight seeing to be had to. I stayed in protaras, Ayia Napa wasnt to far away, a bit to busy for my liking thou.
We are thinking of going for a holiday - babymoon for a week in May, and I will be 6 months pregnant, so we have decided Cyprus can be a good option, we want some sightseeing but also some relaxing with nice beaches (probably 1/2 time doing each). However, I have been looking at Cyprus sites and hotel resorts and the beaches don't look that great!! (they look better in the UAE), and the weather does not seem to be that warm for a beach. So I wonder why is Cyprus so popular????. I dont know now if it would be worth going now!.