Reviews of Athena Beach Hotel, Paphos

My husband and I visited the Athen Beach Hotel for the second time in September this year for our 1st Wedding Anniversary. We were married at the hotel on the beach in September 2007 it was beautiful and so we thought it would be nice to visit again. We were not dissapointed. Although the iood is nice at the hotel we enjoyed eating out alot more. There is a fantastic cafe opposite the hotel which which took shade at every day at lunchtime and indulged in a doughnut and a pint of Keo. Also opposite the hotel there are some really nice restaurants our favourite was the Indian. Just as we were going home a new Chinese restaurant was due to open. In our experience it is best to book B & B as the restauants in and around Kato paphos/PaAphos are too nice to miss. You must visit Chloes and Goumet Taverna in Paphos harbour the food is the best we have ever tasted. Both the staff at the hotel and the locals couldn't be friendlier. We found it best to book the holiday with a tour operator but to upgrade the room with the hotel by e-mail yourself. Also it is cheaper to book half board at the hotel instead of booking it with the tour operator. We will definitely be booking again for September 2009. If you plan to get married at the hotel you will not be dissapointed we would not change a thing if we were to get married again. Linda, the wedding coordinator at the hotel is wonderful she even remembered us from last year. It is worth every penny to get married outside the surroundings are breathtaking, our photos were amazing.

Where do I start!! Me and my new Husband went to Cyprus for our Honeymoon this year and it was AMAZING!!!!

We couldn't have wished for a better hotel or location. On arrival we were shattered as we didn't get to the hotel until 2am but when we arrived at the hotel the staff were really friendly and full of congratulations for us being newly weds.

They had even put balloons and a poster on our door displaying "Congratulations on your Honeymoon" which was a lovely touch!

We had a seaview room which was comfortable and the views were beautiful! The room, bathroom and balcony were always very clean and tidy.

We stayed on a bed and breakfast basis, the selection of food varies from fruit, cold meats and cheese, cereal, fresh bread for your toast, freshly made pancakes and of course your good old cooked breakfast... your completely spoilt for choice! Some mornings the hotel even laid on a champagne breakfast!!

Every afternoon you can indulge on fresh strawberries and cream/ice cream by the pool side, which the hotel lays on.

The pool area is always clean, with many sunbeds either by the pool or on the beach. But I would say if you prefer to be by the pool then you do need to be an early bird as other guests like to claim their sunbeds before breakfast.

I didn't go in the sea as it was very rocky but my husband did and he found that it was fine once you got past the jetty but be careful if the sea is rough - again the beach it very well kept... completely litter free!!

You are totally spoilt for choice with restaurants to visit in the evenings, paphos caters for everyones tastes however there are ALOT of Italian restaurants! If you don't want to walk very far (or have hair that doesn't agree with humidty and would like it in a reasonable state for photos) then just outside the hotel is a strip of restaurants which consist of Chinese, Mexican, Italian and a Greek Taverna. We ate at Poco Loco (Mexican), Mare e Monti (Italian) and the Taverna, they were all superb eateries!

As a couple eating out in these restaurants we spent between 45 -60 euros and that was for a starter, main and a bottle of wine!

We found an excellent chinese which was a 15 minute walk from our hotel which was called PAGODA, the staff were extremely friendly!

Paphos harbour is a good 30 minute walk or in a taxi you can pay 8 euros but many eating places can be found there.

While we were in paphos we did a few trips which incuded the Half Day Heaven on the Ocean Flyer which was brilliant! They took us to Coral Bay and stopped off to do snokelling, swimming, kyaking and water games. They also provided food and as much alcohol as you can consume this cost 48 euros each, in this cost we got the Sunset Cruise free but we gave this a miss as the trip made me feel a bit green!

We also went para gliding at 'Jim's Watersports' which was fab - however I did nearly chicken out but I was so pleased for being brave as the views from the sky are breathtaking!

Aphrodite Waterpark is good fun and costs 56 euros for 2 adults but was very busy! You can easily walk there and takes about 15 minutes. I would recommend anyone to go to one of the tour operators in paphos to book any trips (its much cheaper) your holiday rep will put a few extra euros on their price so as they get a cut!!

The only complaint we had was that the hotel supermarket was a little over priced and the staff aren't very friendly but on the whole how this hotel isn't a 5 star is beyond me! You definately get what you pay for and more, it was truely the best holiday we have been on as a couple! This hotel caters for everyones wants and needs, all the staff are very helpful and nothing is ever too much trouble for them!!

We go back in May for my Sister in Laws wedding and is very excited about going back already... if you are getting married at this hotel you will have a truely magical experience you couldn't have picked a better hotel to exchange your vows!!

While we were there we saw 19 weddings which were all lovely but I have to say my favourites were on the beach - stunning!

Where to start on this review..



We went to the Athena Beach in August 2008 to get married..



First impressions stick and the hotel is fantastic. The grounds were very well kept and everywhere is spotless. You always see people cleaning.



We were upgraded to the superior room, and we had our own sunbeds and only around 20 - 30 yards to the beach.. A stunning view to wake up to.



Also the staff could not be friendlier. Everyone has a smile for you, a cheerful hello, good morning and good evening... Anyone experiencing rudeness must be giving it out! Reception staff are particullarly helpful and will always give out advice and directions.



The beach is a little rocky, but the jetty's take you out from the worst of it. The waves are great fun, especially when it's a bit rough. I went jetskiing one day and the waves made it great fun. Especially with the spray and jumps.



Pools are clean and there are always sunbeds around, no need for towels being down early, (Ps hotel was fully booked as well)



The wedding co-ordinator for the Athena is Linda, and Lisa for First Choice. Both of them were an excellent help! Never too busy to stand and chat to you. They helped us in every way and even kept us calm on the big day.



The shop in the hotel is a little expensive, but the supermarket across the road is better priced. The cafe is also worth a visit, with croissants and the pies a good choice!



As for food, the Hotel is not great outside breakfast. But there are so many good eateries around. Especially around the Triangle area. Two of my personal favourites were Ficardos and Rimini.



Outwith the hotel i'd recommend the Wavedancer Cruise and the mosaics. Thoroughly enjoyed both of these!



FYI a taxi to the harbour area is €8 the bus €1.50 each way. But it's only a brisk 20 minute walk.



I could write for hours on the hotel, and not have a bad word to say.. It's a very good 4 star hotel and we cannot wait to go back next year!



Any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

I went on holiday with my hubbie for a well earned break - and this hotel provided just that.

The reception staff were brilliant, Thomson have just rolled out a new programme and have decided not to try to flog you every trip available, but to give you a chance to decide what you want - which was most welcome. We hired a jeep for the day, and took it out around the island, if you're going to do this beware of some of Cyprus' less than well maintained roads!!

The spa facilities at this hotel are unsurpassed, and the gym is small but air conditioned (absolutely necessary in August), the pools aren't designed for doing lenghts - but they are nice and clean. The whirlpool was ideal for sitting in and catching rays.

The rooms are well maintained and cleaned regularly - though I did wonder where the complimentary slippers had gone.

My only real complaint has to be the bar staff at the 'nectar bar' in the hotel - they were slow on service and even had the cheek to charge us for drinks we no longer wanted after waiting over 20 minutes for them!

Apart from that I'd happily return to the hotel with hubbie in tow.

We stayed at the Athena Beach for a week's holiday. The hotel staff are very friendly and helpful, the hotel is always clean and tidy. There are lots of sunbeds all spaced out nicely so you're never crowded, although people reserve them with towels before breakfast in the morning! We only had breakfast in the hotel but there is lots of variety, including freshly made pancakes and omeletes. The rooms were clean and tidy, although a little dated and could do with a refurb. We paid for a sea view room and it was worth the view, beautiful. There are a lot of weddings held by the beach at the hotel but they were wonderful to watch and never a problem. The walk into Paphos is about 25 minutes from the hotel, but we found some nice restaurants where the food was better and cheaper about 10 to 15 minutes walk in on the main road.

Our rep was good and we did the underwater walking which was very good. We also hired a car for two days through the rep who used Europcar, an awful experience! The first car had no air con working so we wasted the first day, they replaced it with one on the second day where the air con was better (not brilliant though), but the engine warning light was constantly on, the stereo was broken, the gear box was knackered as it crunched into third gear, and the wing mirrors were broken and couldnt be moved. Both cars had done a lot of mileage and were very old, and it was more expensive than hiring direct. So, from our experience I would say dont hire using Europcar!

Apart from the car hire though we had a great holiday and I would recommend the Athena Beach to anyone.

Our party of 4 adults usually holiday in Gran Canaria so was looking forward to our 14 night holiday in Paphos Cyprus.

On arrival at the hotel 6.30pm we were told we didnt have a room. Wasn't very happy at this as we had been up since 3am and needed to refresh and change clothes.

The other thing was that one of our friends travelling with us was wheelchair disabled and was expecting a disabled room as promised by Olympic Holidays.

After waiting half hour in reception we were told to go and eat in the dining room and then come back for keys to our rooms.

After dining which must have been about an hour or so, my partner and i were given keys to our room. My friends were told there was no room and they would be staying at the sister hotel next door 'the royal athena beach' and would be allocated a room by lunchtime the next day.

I must point out that Olympic had changed our flight to 24 hrs earlier 3 months previous but the hotel hadnt accomodated for us!!

Next day we go back to reception to be told the room isnt ready yet and to come back at 4pm. this happened again at 5pm.

all well and good is you plan on hanging about all day!!

they then go back at 5.30pm to be given keys for a room on second floor. this room turned out to be not suitable as not equipped for disabled at all.

so they go back to reception to be told there will be a disabled room the next day!!

this room turns out to be on the 4th floor !!! with a grab rail in the bath!! my friend cannot walk never mind get his leg over !!!

so, olympic, we are not very happy with their description of 'disabled friendly' rooms.

the hotel is nice, weddings are a plenty, people are mainly brits here so you will feel at home.

however, cleaning isn't top of their list. we asked for our balcony to be cleaned 3 times!! this wasnt done all the time we stayed.

the toilets in reception had dirt marks on the toilet floors. i dont think they use hot water or bleach.

food was ok and variable. waiters extremely slow,in the restaurant and the bar, so youre not going to get drunk.

entertainment is 'cheesy'

best place to go at lunchtime and evening is the crocodile bar - go left outside the hotel - walk down to the Amathus Hotel (very nice ) and cross over to the right. 5 minute walk.

very happy attentive staff there!!

olympic rep about to leave to join the police in the uk so her heart wasn't in it regarding complaints.

still havent heard from olympic about our grievances.

will be going back to gran canaria next year!!!

This was the first time I had been to Cyprus,staying at the Athena Beach Hotel. I was not disappointed.



From the welcome my wife and I received at the Reception Desk on our arrival to the day we left we met with friendliness from the Manager, who every day seemed to go around the pool and grounds and speak to his guests. To his management team, Animation, Customer Hotel Services and Beverage and Catering Manager who readily listened to us on any aspect of the hotel services. To ensure that we were really happy with everything.



I have to say we had no critisim. From the cleanliness of our room, their housekeeping staff were superb. The bed sheets were pristine white, (no darns)which we have come across elsewhere. The room as fresh as when we arrived.



Our Breakfast and Evening Meals, which were buffet style, amazed us for the variety, so much so that as we had arrived at the Hotel 2hrs late from our local airport ,

having booked B/B we immediatly upgraded to H/B





The Waiters and Waitresses in the Restaurant, were always friendly, even though some could not speak English. (If we were in their Country ( Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia) and we could not speak their language, how would we feel ????

We seemed to gel with Oley and Geneviva who were so welcoming when we had Breakfast and Evening Meal. Nothing was too much bother and we looked forward to seeing them at meal times.



The surroundings of the Hotel were so relaxing. The English are just as bad the Europeans , in going down the get their sunbeds reserved (towels etc) before any one else. I am one of the culprits!!!!!! Lying on well groomed lawns and peaceful surroundings, even the children were well behaved, was sheer paradise. As we were

here the end of May to beginning of June, it was an idyll holiday spot.

Perhaps in July and August it may well be different (School Holidays!!!!!!)

Come September, we are definitly going back to Athena. We usually never go back to the same place twice, but in this case they are going to have a visit from my wife and I.



We can't wait to get back, (Athena, keep 3111 room available for us) Wonderful views of the sea, grounds and so many swimming pools. And especially the Waiters, Waitresses and wonderful Ulysses the Maitre D. His dry sense of humour is not to be missed!!!!!

Just returned from the Anthena Beach, we went for 10days, and thought 2 weeks would have been better. The Hotel it self I could not fault in any way, Its very clean, the staff are all polite and very helpfull. There is a bus stop right outside the hotel to take you to the harbour and the market, thats good !!, and if you wanted to go a bit further the bus will take you to Coral bay it takes about 45 mins... I wasn't too impressed with the Beach, but was still nice to go for stroll. We went for a walk down to the harbour which took about 25mins - not that far really, but when we got there i was not impressed, not a lot happening there.

10mins away is a FANTASTIC water park you must visit, really safe and clean.

I booked this holiday as a surprise for my partner, for his 40th birthday, we first were in another hotel, which was terrible and moved to this hotel, I would definately recommend this hotel, we had a fabulous time, staff were absolutely so lovely and so proffessional and helpful at the same time, the Manager was so approachable and always on hand to help with any queries. They staff and manager couldn't make us feel anymore welcome than we were. We will definately go back, believe me I am so fussy on accommodation over the years in different countries, and I thought the local people were so nice.

I've stayed at the Athena Beach Hotel 3 times with my brother, nana and grandad and they were the best holidays I've ever had. The rooms were clean and the beds were very comfortable. The bathroom was very clean with very powerful showers and nice sinks. The balcony was very good as we had 2 rooms next to each other with a sea view, perfect for drinking tea coffee and biscuits after a good night of entertainment in the lounge area. The breakfasts and dinner were very delicious with a wide selection of foods and drinks. The staff were very kind and helpful and catered to your every need. The pool facilities were very good and well kept with 3 main pools and 1 indoor pool. There is also a slide that leads into a little spash pool, perfect for youngsters. In the afternoon there are ice creams sold with vanilla ice cream, cream, strawberry sauce and tasty strawberrys. There is a mini supermarket inside the hotel where you can buy, food, drink, postcards and swimming eqipment ETC. The hotel entertainment in an evening is very entertaining with singers dancers and the occasional guests who will get up and dance. There is a good selection of entertaining sports all throughout the day such as, tennis, mini golf, table tennis, pool/snooker, arcade games and internet access. Down the road are some very nice cafes, especially The Hot Cup Cafe which serves tasty foods and drinks. I mainly have chicken burger, chips, milkshake or a cold glass of coca cola. There are also supermarkets down the road owned by the hotel (Constantinou Brothers) which sells everything you would need for a holiday or gifts for family and friends back home. I bought my mum an Aphrodite crystal stone with a picture of Aphrodite and her name written inside it. There is a nice beach a couple of feet from the hotel grounds where you can swim into the sea and see all of the exotic fish or walk across the jetee and watch the waves or boats passing by. The Athena Beach Hotel is by far the best hotel I have ever visited and I can't wait to go back there in April of this year. If you've been there before I'm sure you'll agree that The Athena Beach Hotel is a brilliant hotel, and so is the Athena Beach Royale Hotel located next to The Athena Beach Hotel. If you are looking for a great holiday then I suggest you got to Paphos, Cyprus and stay in The Athena Beach Hotel and I can guarantee you will be delighted with your holiday.

I travelled here for the third year running as I got married in Paphos last year; the hotel is beautiful and very clean!



The staff are very very helpful and all to glad to assist, I received free champagne in the bar and many a night the bar manager gave us a free tipple...



We travelled as a large group, my husband, and little 2 year old girl, my mother, father, brother and his partner. There were roughly 20 adults and 6 children.



The pool has a water slide which all the kids loved and the beach is behind you.



We also often enjoyed the lunch time snack which was strawberries and cream.



The food was very varied and nice. Also very fresh.



Overall this hotel is one of the cleanest and well equipped I have visited.



It is situated right by the waterpark and go kating, mini golf. And around ten mins to walk to bars and shops.



It’s not for single groups to have fun its very much family orientated, which I loved.

We had a great holiday. The hotel was very well kept, the pools and bar areas were very clean at all times and the food was good plenty of choice.



The only thing we were a little disappointed with were the views from our bedrooms which overlooked the road. Even though we were told it had garden or sea views.



My daughter got married there which was lovely but again we did not know we had to pay extra for the gazebo where she had her service. Then we all went to the harbour on a yacht which really was beautiful and made a very special day.



But I would certainly go back for a holiday just for myself and family but I do think the bedrooms need a little attention they look a little dated in some areas.



Thank you

Very disappointed with our holiday especially after reading all the other reviews on this site.



The hotel is very dated despite being 8 years old. The rooms were small and made even smaller when a 3rd bed is put in for a child; we had to put the room chairs on the balcony so we had more room! The room had a large wardrobe but we had to keep most things in our suitcases on the floor due to lack of drawers. The rooms were clean.



The breakfasts were very good with a great selection. The food on offer during the day was expensive and served by very miserable staff; the shop across the road had a great little cafe for snacks.



The pools were not great for children, 2 were 1.24m deep all over which wasn't great for small kids and the pool patrol man wouldn't allow lilo's or inflatable’s in the pool. We mentioned this to our rep who was unaware and was going to raise it in the next meeting he went to, the reason given by the hotel, it disturbed the older guests - a poor excuse as the sister hotel next door was adults only.



Entertainment - what entertainment? In the evening it consisted of cheesy cabaret/lounge music, during the day water aerobics and I think table tennis!

The reception staff were very helpful; we asked to move rooms as our air-conditioning was very noisy, we were moved straight away. We had a room that overlooked the road but didn't find the road noise troubling.



There were great restaurants in walking distance Plake, Da Vinci's (my favourite), Sunbow (my daughters as they did home made chicken nuggets and the owner should be on the stage).



Overall - not a place for families especially under 10's, the pool aren't suitable, the kids can't have fun, and the rooms are far too small.

I have just returned home from a week’s holiday at the Athena Beach Hotel!



I am 18 years old and went with my mum and younger sister. I must say this is by far the best holiday I have ever had!



The hotel was gorgeous and always perfectly clean. The hotel gardens and pools were absolutely wonderful, couldn’t ask for any better!



Whilst on holiday in August the weather was in the 40's through my stay and very warm still in the evening.



I went on a half board basis and very glad I did. There was so much choice at breakfast and dinner and everything I tried was delicious! The milkshakes and cocktails were also very good!



Plenty to do near the hotel and at the hotel itself. I went jet skiing, on a boat trip to Coral Bay, clubbing and to many discos in local bars.



Overall, a perfect holiday for people of all ages!



Can't wait to return!

Just arrived back from a week at The Athena Beach Hotel, Paphos and have to say was really impressed with both the hotel standard and the ideal location.



We upgraded to a full sea view room which overlooked the pool, beach and sea - "idyllic.” We booked on a B & B basis which we would recommend as there are lots of lovely restaurants and bars within easy walking distance - if you like Italian food try "Da Vinci's" or for steaks "The Rib Shack", plus too many more to mention.



For more restaurants and bars you could either take the local bus (80 cents) or a taxi (£4 Cypriot) to the Harbour Area or walk (around 20 mins). Plenty of shops and for those who like bars and clubs try "Bar Street" - very lively.



We would definitely return - everything was so spotlessly clean and very safe, plus the local people were very friendly.



We were due to leave on Sunday 1st July and due to the Glasgow Airport incident our flights were delayed and we had to stay at the hotel for an extra few hours.



This was made a lot easier as the Hotel allowed us to hold onto our room until check out time of 5 pm and Thomas Cook kept us well up to date on flight info etc.



Can’t wait to go back.