What’s the difference between a hotel and a holiday? It’s a question I’d never really thought much about until we stayed at the Athena Beach Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus. Our stay followed our 4 nights at The superb Asimina Suites Hotel just down the beach!
From the moment you walk through the front door of The Constantinou Bros Athena Beach Hotel, you’re made to feel so welcome. They really are pleased to see you and they make that very clear.
It’s a big place, the Athena Beach Hotel, with around 500 rooms, five restaurants and a beach bar. It’s only a 15 minute taxi ride to the airport too, so no endless journey in a stuffy shuttle bus. There are numerous places to grab a drink, from the beautifully manicured lawns between the hotel and the beach to the late night cabaret rooms as well as the gorgeous rooftop bar. The choice is amazing and nothing disappoints.
Amazing Management and Staff
We were welcomed on our arrival by Odile, one of the assistant managers. She was charming and lovely and made everything so clear, from our check-in to the layout of the hotel. She described the various eateries and drinkeries as well as the forthcoming events that we may be interested in during our stay. After a refreshing welcome drink in the Elite Class Lounge, we were shown to our room via the various outdoor areas. This is a big, imposing and impressive place which seems to run like clockwork. It’s a well-oiled machine but with a reassuring sense of calm about it. It is so unusual, in our experience of big hotels, to have that subliminal efficiency yet with such a personal and friendly approach to guests.
Room with Private Pool
Our room was idyllic! It was roomy, with a huge comfy bed, a sliding patio door that looked out over the sea and our own private pool to keep us cool on those warm Cyprus days. The bathroom had a big rainfall shower and a whirlpool bath big enough for both of us and more.
In addition to our own little pool there was a choice of other swimming pools too. The adults-only pool had its own swim-up bar and seating areas. Some of the other pools offered huge amounts of space, without the dreaded sunbed-wars that seem to be more and more prevalent these days. I don’t think there was ever a shortage of sunbeds or parasols during our entire stay, either poolside or beachside.
Meet the Team
On our second night we were invited, along with other new guests, for drinks with the management team on the lawn. This really was a great hour or so with plenty of Champagne flowing.. Putting faces to names and vice versa, together with a chance to chat informally to all the management team was a great idea. Thereafter it was a case of greetings on first name terms with the team. A couple of nights later there was the ‘Cyprus Night’, with a fantastic buffet of local foods, great Cypriot entertainers and good fun for all.
Though The Athena Beach is not quite in the main town of Paphos, there are frequent buses. They stop right outside the hotel to go up to the harbour area and connections from there to other places in the area. There are some fantastic things to see and do in Paphos. I’d thoroughly recommended a guided sightseeing tour to take in all Paphos has to offer.
Click on the image and you can read about My Day Sightseeing in Paphos!
Staying Close
For those who prefer not to venture far, there’s a little snack bar and supermarket across the road, for picking up those last-minute necessities. The coastal path also goes alongside the beach from the hotel all the way up to the old harbour. It’s a scenic and easy walk, particularly in the morning before the sun gets too strong.
So, going back to my opening question… Definitely a holiday. It’s one of those rare places that seems to offer everything to everyone – without compromise.
More Information, take a look here – The Athena Beach Hotel
