Natalie from Abbotts Travel flew with Jet2holidays from London Stansted for a familiarisation trip to learn first hand about the location and hotels.
"I couldn’t have wished for a better first trip and experience! It is easy to see why Cyprus is such a popular destination: beautiful sandy beaches, fascinating history and culture, Mediterranean cuisine, glorious mountains and lush countryside. Cyprus's beaches are recognised as the cleanest in Europe making it perfect for swimming and water sports. It has a sub-tropical climate enjoying 320 days of sunshine a year and at least 6 hours of bright sunshine every day - giving visitors a truly pleasant climate all year round.
Things to do in Paphos: fortresses, ruins of tombs, theatres, an archaeological park, luxury hotels, shopping, fascinating history, and magnificent scenery. The lower part of the city has beachfront restaurants, cafés, and nightlife. Paphos is a great destination for couples and families to stay. Tomb of the Kings is an ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 4th century. Nearby is the Blue Lagoon, a sandy sheltered lagoon with the brightest blue water of the Mediterranean - a popular day trip on a boat.
During my four day trip I visited different hotels, staying overnight in two beautiful resorts: Aphrodite Hills and St. George Beach Hotel & Spa Resort. Plus a stunning day room at Asimina Suites for our final afternoon to refresh before our late flight.
Our first stop was the beautiful resort of Aphrodite Hills where we were greeted by fabulous hosts and a delicious Cypriot feast and we discussed Cyprus and the resort.
After an incredible breakfast we were shown the different types of beautiful villas in the resort. Aphrodite Hills Resort has attained top honours and the highest standard of recognition in golf; the 'PGA National Cyprus' for their 18-hole Championship golf course. That's us taking a swing at golf with a lesson on the driving range!
We then made our way to the Olympic Lagoon for a tour and incredible lunch.
This Lux Collection 5* hotel takes the All-Inclusive Plus concept to another level of luxury with stylish, spacious accommodation, a fantastic range of dining options and extensive leisure facilities tailored to both families and adults.
Families will be entertained with the themed pools, kids’ clubs and entertainment programme. They also have a dedicated adults-only section complete with rooms, spa, bar and restaurant.
Our final stop of the day was St. George Beach Hotel & Spa Resort for a guided tour, evening meal and two-night stay. An adult-only hotel amongst seven acres of land, landscaped gardens, with rolling hills on one side and Mediterranean Sea on the other.
The property boasts spacious outdoor and indoor pools, a hydrotherapy wellness spa centre and a great range of bars and restaurants. Rooms are tastefully decorated and provide a very comfortable area to refresh after a day exploring Paphos. There is also a lovely seaside path that takes you all the way to Paphos Marina.
On day two we had a full itinerary visiting hotel’s as well as a tour of the archaeological site and harbour. My personal highlights were:
Alexander the Great - a favourite among our client’s and I can see why! An award-winning hotel renowned for its impeccable service and outstanding cuisine in a beachfront location overlooking the picturesque harbour and old castle. With a great variety of facilities and option to upgrade to half board or full board that includes five restaurants. This hotel is a lovely choice for a luxury holiday for couples or families.
Our final stop of the day was the stunning Elysium Hotel. Like its name originating from Greek mythology, it's a blissful place with private beach, unparalleled views, and an array of amenities. This luxury hotel is now a landmark in Paphos with its artisan design and spectacular gardens. The hotel is a 10-minute stroll along the seafront from Paphos Harbour and right next door to the Unesco Tombs of the Kings.
The enormous split-level pool in the centre of the resort is a highlight, as is the adult-only sunken pool for Royal Studio guests’ exclusive use. The resort’s Opium Spa has an excellent reputation, and there’s also a complimentary kids’ club.
Lemonia Piazza is the main restaurant, and it feels like a village square. Rooms are Mediterranean in style, and the recently renovated Deluxe Bedrooms have inland or sea views. Family Cyprian Maisonettes have a living room on the lower floor and a master bedroom on the mezzanine. We enjoyed a fantastic evening buffet in a stunning outdoor setting with live music.
On our final day we went to the Constantinou Bros Hotels which consists of three different hotels:
Athena Royal Beach, an adult-only hotel - the perfect setting for couples to enjoy a luxurious holiday in stylish accommodation. There's the option to upgrade to a superior suite to receive Elie Class service luxury extras including: VIP check-in, late breakfast in an exclusive restaurant and complimentary use of the sauna.
Athena Beach is a family hotel and is also suitable for couples in a beautiful beachfront location. With a variety of leisure facilities, amazing service and high standards of comfort and style. There are 6 outdoor pools including 2 children’s freshwater pools and Splash park. I would recommend half board due to the quality of restaurants available, or the All-Inclusive option offers à la carte every night.
Asimina Suites is an Indulgent Escapes hotel with a boutique style hotel experience, with stunning views. The hotel’s spacious gardens and blissful pools offer ways to unwind, while the luxurious Elixir Spa has many treatments to indulge.
In the evening sit at a candlelit table on a pier overlooking the shimmering sea and palm-tree lined beach. A lovely way to end any holiday"
Written by Natalie Fox
To book your Cyprus holiday, call Natalie at Abbotts Travel 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA, 020 8989 9445 / info@abbottstravel.com