Paphiessa Hotel

The hotel on arrival was very disappointing especially as it was rated at the top end of 3* (highlighted by Olympic holidays on booking)We arrived at 9pm on sunday 28th December to be greeted by a reception with personell who couldnt communicate where our room was. I was astonished to be told that we had to cross the road into a building which can only be described a s an offshoot of the main complex. The "offshoot" looked remarkably unwelcoming was pitch black and had no security or supervision whatsoever. 3* my A**e
The room - damp, smelly, fridge smelly, pans mouldy, bathroom not maintained.
We arrived at our room which was on the top floor which was overlooking what can only be described as wasteland to the rear of the building. (not the pool view as requested and as anticipated from our booking discussions with Olympic holidays) There was never any mention of being in a seperate building from the 24 hour reception, bar, pool or main complex which did seem a little more welcoming.
The reception - a throw back from the 50's in dire need of refurbishment, its dull dark and unwelcoming. First impressions count
The staff - quite welcoming on arrival, providing a service but no level of familiarity progressed during the weeks stay
The feedback book - you can only write a review in this book at the hotel if you are returning for a second time. hmmmmmmm i wonder why? perhaps because many would NEVER return
The Bar - unbelievably Smokey, dull, dark, expensive 3:20 for a pint, 2.50 for one mouthful of nescafe. entertainment bog standard but couldnt sit for too long as the smoke inhalation was so poiniant, as 2 young non smokers our clothes and hair stank after one evening in the hotel bar we didnt go to the bar again for the remainder of the week
The breakfast - OMG, COLD scrambled egg, COLD beans, SPAM, typical continental breakfast stuff - cheese, tomato, cucumber, olives, oats or cyprus version of cheap cornflakes, no signs for crockery, cutlery, no additional options for breakfast
The pool - cold but taken time of year not really a problem. Sunbeds are old, unkept and unclean, parasol's often looked shabby and at times were just the metal frame without cover.
Millenium centre - this was across the road underneath the "offshoot" rooms it was dark and dingy and had limited opening times. When booking Paphiessa boasted health suite, fitness suite / gymnasium, steam room, sauna, heated indoor pool, exercise classes. As a Personal trainer and PE teacher....a bit of a joke really. No supervision, no lifeguard. It was free to use the 15m swimming pool but only 3 poeple can swim at any one time (its just too small) heated ??? really questionable. Here is the best bit.... 7 euros per person to use the gym each visit. Not per week, not 7 euros for 2 people... 7 euros each!!!!! how can this be justified by a so-called 3* crummy establishment.
The rep - quite a nice chap from olympic with good knowledge of Cyprus and Cypriate culture, however the excursions priced at the hotel were OTT and couldbe found much cheaper down at the Harbour or in independent tour operators.
If i were to ever consider returning to Paphos i would not stay here!!!
If you are happy to pay the going rate for an out of date, second rate service book this for your hols, you can get better for the same money elsewhere in Paphos.

This has to be the worst hotel I have stayed in. It is no way a 3 star hotel.
It is outdated and in need of refubishment.
There are far better places to stay in Paphos for similar money
Wouldnt be suprised if they are dropped by the agents for next year

We had stayed here about 10 years ago when it was located in a small back street away from the hustle and bustle of Kato Paphos. Now a main road has been built right outside the hotel and the local youth love to use it as a drag strip to test their "customised cars" most evenings.
Can't figure what the hotel is now trying to be - there is an "oriental" theme which doesn't gel with the Greek idea of a holiday.
The staff are very helpful. Like many others writing reports here, our room was in a block which was "having problems with the electrics" so we were given a room in the hotel with a free breakfast until another room became available. Eventually we were given a coice of rooms in a block across the road from the main site. The aircon did work - albeit a bit noisy but only one of the electric cooking rings worked and the radio was dead. Both were later fixed that same day. Forget the television - the only completely English channel was inaudible but there was no way to re-tune the set in the room. There is no "remote" with the TV and as the 14" screen set is at the other side of the room in most cases it is hardly visible anyway.
The bathroom was shabby with tiles literally hanging off the side of the bath and the shower support rail fell off the wall every time it was used. the window trim in the bathroom hadn't been cleaned all season by the look of it.
We found the bar area generally clean but very expensive - self catering guests have a good selection of tavernas within a short walking distance (Othello's portions are huge and the set menues are excellent value)
There is a choice of "trips" but be aware of the Sunset cruise - it is not on the boat advertised - it's on the Jolly Rodger.....exactly!!!
Also the promised taxi transfer to the airport was a farce - delivering us to the airport just in time to join the very end of the queue.
I suppose in summary you get what you pay for - the location isn't the best, the decor is jaded, the rooms need repairs - but if you just want a bed for the night at minimum cost then you put up with these things. Sadly we will not be going back.

For a accurate summary of this hotel please read on. If you are thinking about stopping at this hotel, Dont! look elsewhere. I will explain why. If you have already booked up for this hotel, cancel it! I will explain why!
First of all on arrival I confess to feeling very very depressed as we were driven into a back alley surrounded by wasteland and run down houses. Imagine my horror when the rep told us this was the Paphiessa stop! We proceeded to enter the hotel to find the reception and we were imediatley struck by the 1970's decore and stench of smoke. I felt like I was an extra in a new movie called Bill and Ted's nightmare adventure. We had clearly travelled back in time 30 years simply by entering the building. We were greeted by the bloke on reception who basically mumbled at us. Subtitles would of been handy as I didnt understand a word he said. He had a strange way about him. He stared at my girlfriends breasts and simply mumbled like a drunk! He also had terrible body ordour! I had to ask him to show me where our room is. Here's the good part!! we werent even situated in the hotel. Our room was in a run down extention of a gym across the street! Marvelous!! The room was shocking. Once again it represented the 70's very well! My bed sheets were dirty, they had some sort of candle way encrusted all over them (at least I hope it was candle wax). We tolerated this place by simply getting out of there as much as we could. I am having an uncomfortable time reliving this terrible hotel so I will simply list some of its other quirks. The towels werent changed for 5 days, even then I had to ask for them to be changed. The "clean"ones were dirtier than the old one's! they had make up and hand prints all over them. I once again complained only to be told he had no clean towels. I had to wait untill the following day for some new ones. Paying for air coditioning is a new one on me. 5 euros a night! mumbling mo the reception guy tried to trick me into paying 10 euros per night when i first went down to sort it out. He obviously underestimated me by assuming i couldnt read. If i was as thick as a post mumbling mo would have bagged himself some healthy profit over the course of 14 days. Moving on. we were promised a pool view, didnt happen even though we booked up neraly a year in advance, we were told there was 3 pools, there isnt. one pool is for babies, (it's litterally ankle deep) the other belongs to the gym across the road and its in complete darkness and invested with ants. The other is dominated by annoying Greeks dive bombing into the pool. the sun beds are rotten and fallen to bits. The staff were extremely rude. We asked the bar man what time do they finish serving food and he replied 3 minutes. Being the decent guy that I am I said, "it's ok buddy I dont want them working for my sake when they should be going home" Mr Bar man flipped his lid and barked at me,, I told you there is 3 minutes, do you want food or not!!!! I replied in a calm tone.. I am happy to order if you insist and then he SCOFFED "NO" whilst waiving me away like some sort of mafia gamgster. I doubt Thomas cook have ever visited this place because if they did they would surely not allow this place to represent them. I for one will never fly with them again as the Paphiessa has give me such a bad impression!! the place needs to be knocked down! it would be better off as rubble on the ground! much like the surrounding areas!!

booked holiday sept 2007 requested 2nd floor with pool view was put in a run down apartment with cracks in the walls on the other side of the rd. cleanliness was not good . maid did not clean toilet on daily basis or wash floors. had to ask for clean towels and toilet paper on 2 occasions. Staff were very nice but.... Sun loungers need updating and cushions were very grubby, enamel coming off sun lounger frames. We had a good hoilday because our son got married at atalantida beach. but we wld not stay at pahiessa hotel again

I stayed here for my honeymoon it was a late booking so i didnt really have a choice. I thought it looked nice from all the photos how wrong was i WHAT A DUMP!! The night i arrived the electric in our room was gone, so they moved us to another hotel for a nite which was even worse. The room has the worst air con in the world the room is a dump the breakfast is a joke which had ants in the sugar! im 24 my wife is 20 every1 who likes this hotel must be old because the decor is from the 1980s!! NEVER AGAIN WHAT A [-] HOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 reader found this review helpful

My family and I have just come back from a week staying at the Paphiessa Hotel. It has again been a wonderful holiday, no fighting to put your towels down, everyone joins in and gets on well. The staff are friendly and cannot do enough for you. Our shower didnt work to start with but was dealt with straight away. It has been our second year there and this time was even better than the last. We had snacks in the day and ate out as we as a family like to do that. A place I would recomend to any family.
As for eating out if you want good Greek food go to the Olympus, near to the Tomb of the Kings....excellent. Don't go to the Seagull on the Harbour side, over priced and not great

mum and myself had a week at the beginning of july. we were apprehensive as we weren't sure what to expect, it exceeded our expectations. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, spotlessly clean in all areas. We stayed on half board basis and the food was well presented well prepared and more than adequate. All the facilities were of a high standard and within easy reach. The local beach was a walk away but enjoyable none the less. Had a great week wish it was longer and we have no hesitations to return.

evrything was great except breakfeast, loads of facilities and close to bar street the hotel bar was pretty expensive and not that much choice to chose from for breakfast or dinner except if you pay for it. Dave is a sick guy (at reception) make sure u talk to him

Before we went on holiday we read some of the reviews people had left on various websites, particularly about the condition of the rooms and just thought people may be over-exaggerating. Unfortunately when we arrived at the hotel we found that most things people had commented on were true. When we checked in to the room the toilet had not been flushed from when someone had last used it, there were hairs in the bath tub, towels and dishes were not clean, the bathroom sink smelt quite bad and two lamps in the room were obviously very unstable looking and top heavy. Also the night porter constantly tried to engage me in conversation just to look at my breasts constantly which made me feel very uncomfortable to which I just kept walking away from him. One of the lamps toppled over during the holiday through no fault of our own and was forced to pay 43 euros for it on the last day; leaving us with only 7 euros therefore we didn't have enough money for a meal that day. We were forced to pay because we were constantly threatened with police action and the rep ensured us that they would block our passports. At no point did we speak to a manager after being told several times by the hotel staff and by the rep that we would do. Hotel staff spoke to us in a sarcastic and appalling manner and even had the audacity to tell the rep we actually pushed the lamp over on purpose, which was completely untrue. I even asked for proof that the lamp cost that much and was again spoke to appallingly and was told 'to go the shop and look at the price myself' whilst the thomas cook rep stood and did nothing even though the night before she said she didn't think the lamp was worth that much and led us to believe the whole thing would be sorted out as we shouldn't have to pay for something we didn't break. Also, I asked why such a grubby looking room that was in such poor condition would have 86 euros worth of lamps in them and nobody could answer me. Thomas cook knew we had no money to eat and still did nothing and it is such a shame as paphos is such a nice place and I would go there again but definitely would not stay in the pahiessa or book with Thomas cook again.