It's a long way... to Paphos (Paphian Bay Hotel)

Member Name: grahamt

Product:	Paphian Bay Hotel
Date:	31/12/03 (457 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comfortable, Quiet

Disadvantages: A long way from town

This was our first ever visit to Cyprus and our choice of resort - Paphos - was more a result of simply not wanting to be anywhere near Agia Napa than anything else. Actually, that isn't really true; Paphos did seem to offer something of interest other than sun sea and sand. I am writing a review of the resort but, first of all how about accommodation?

We had checked out the Thomson brochure and had found the Paphian Bay Hotel as meeting the sort of requirements we were seeking at a price that didn't seem unreasonable. The brochure described its features and, indeed, they were as accurate as these can be but, it didn't tell the whole story.

We were holidaying during the last week of October and the first week of November. Why so late in the year has much to do with the archaic view of my employer to the buying patterns of our customers. It means that four months of the year are banned for holidays; one of these, our preferred period if choice was free, is September.

Much development has taken place in Paphos in recent years and much still continues. Central Paphos has extended out in all directions and especially south along the coast. All along the sea front you find hotel after hotel, each with their own beach area of varying size and quality.

The final two hotels are both owned by the same hotel group - Constantinou Brothers. The Paphian Bay is the last but one; the final hotel is the Pioneer Beach. They also own another hotel closer to Paphos Town, the Athena Beach.

The Paphian Bay is a good twenty minute walk from the outskirts and half an hour from the port. Fortunately there is a regular bus service. Two buses stop at the hotel about every 15 minutes and will take you to the port or to the upper town (Kitma Paphos).

The Paphian Bay is a relatively new hotel. The first impression is of a clean and well-maintained hotel and that impression was maintained throughout.

It is b
uilt more or less in a V shape with the arms extending towards the sea and enclosing the grounds of the hotel. Each arm houses the guest rooms and the Reception is found on the ground floor where they join. Strangely, other than on the ground and lower floor, neither wing connects with the other.

I say Reception is on the ground floor; it is on the landward side but on the seaward side it is on the first floor. On the ground floor on the seaward side, below the Reception area, is the main restaurant.

Our room was on an upper floor, facing the sea and overlooking the pools and grounds. The room had a balcony, equipped with table and chairs although our balcony did not at any time receive any sun. Still, we weren't there to sit in our room!

The room was comfortable. A double bed actually consisted to two singles bolted together! TV and tea/coffee making facilities were provided although not supplies of tea/coffee/milk/sugar. You are expected to acquire these yourself. You can do this at the shop (mini-market) in the hotel or, do as we did, pilfer them (other than the milk of course) from the breakfast table each morning!

The only reservation we had was over the bathroom. This was a little on the small side and even trying to get in and out was an exercise. The door opened into the bathroom and so made where you stand to get around its edge a challenge!

There are several bars and also a lounge in which evening entertainment was presented. We found that not all of the bars were serving drinks according to how full the hotel was. One of the bars is set in the grounds close to the shore. Another is beside the pools. At both food may also be obtained at lunchtime.

The mini-market sells all sorts of things. You can buy from a large range of wines, including those served in the restaurant. I have to say that throughout Cyprus we did not find the wine to be of especially good value. The quality was most
ly acceptable and in a few cases excellent but equally, I have found as good if not better in the UK even at UK prices.

Amongst those I can definitely recommend are the Paphian Bay's own house wines, both red and white, and the Ayios Fotios Red, which was superb. I can also recommend the Domaine D'Ahera and the Rigas, both red and the Alkion White.

There is also a shop in the Foyer. Here they sell mostly clothes and souvenirs. Once again the prices were not especially favourable. The choice was reasonable but, unless you see something that you particularly like, you are likely to find greater choice in Paphos Town where competition is far greater.

The restaurant mostly serves a buffet although an A la Carte menu is available by request. Virtually everybody was on half board and so the incentive to pay extra for meals when they are already included in the package, is not high. Of course, this also means that you are less inclined to eat out in the evening at any of the local restaurants, although we did at least once.

The food is reasonable but by no means Cordon Bleu. Their idea of Chicken Teryaki, for instance, was the most strange I have ever tasted. Not that it was unpleasant, it was just that, if you had presented it to me and asked me what it was, Chicken Teryaki would not have come to mind!

The range of choices is quite good though tended to repetition. We were amused by the daily jelly of varying garish colours, much liked by the kids! I loved the pancakes at breakfast each morning and loaded up my plate.

The service is good and the Maitre D' was very friendly but firmly in charge. You waited to be seated or else!!!!! In the evening seating was only inside but mornings you could sit outside.

Lunch was served from the bars and not from the restaurant. The offerings consisted of salads and cold meats plus the inevitable burgers, fish and chips, soup and a couple of hot dishe
s of the day.

The grounds consist of a lawn almost covered with large palms. There are some places where the Sun does find the ground but, if you are a sun-worshipper you will have to be regularly on the move, chasing the rays. Sun-loungers, tables and sunshades are all provided. I have a tendency to burn so I was glad of the shade.

The hotel also has its own beach, enclosing a small bay with the entrance to the sea protected by breakwaters. It means that the water in the bay is mostly calm no matter the state of the sea. However, I'm guessing that the sand that makes up the beach has been imported as large rocks are very close beneath the surface. The beach at each side is quite extensive but reduces to a narrow steep strip closest to the grounds.

The are two pools, an adult's pool and, alongside, a child s paddling pool. We found the water clean but quite cold. It appears to be unheated even at the very ends of the season when air temperatures are more moderate. I resisted the temptation.

All in all a quite reasonable hotel. We were not disappointed with our stay. Having said that, we probably wouldn't go back again if we were to return to Paphos. The distance out of the town is a disadvantage despite the availability of transport. It does discourage an evening stroll.

We would probably go for a bit more luxury next time as well. Whilst walking to and from the town we did notice a couple of other hotels that looked very attractive.

The Alexander the Great Hotel looks excellent. We wandered through it and out into its grounds as we took a shortcut into town. It's also very close to the town.

Another that looked attractive, a little further out of town, is the Amathus Beach Hotel. Certainly worth consideration. There is also a holiday village under construction that should be ready next year. It's on the landward side of the coast road and so has no beach but looks a
s though it is not going to lack any other attractions.

Summary: