Choosing the Hotel
The most important decision to make during a trip is to select the perfect hotel, and that too when you are traveling to the sparkling Mediterranean.
My trip was to Paphos, a city on the southwest coast of the Island of Cyprus. This city is inhabited since Neolithic times, it has several sites relating to the cult of goddess Aphrodite, whose mythical birthplace was at Old Paphos (Kouklia). New Paphos is the modern city that incorporates the harbor, and the ancient ruins of tombs, fortresses, theaters, and villas at Paphos Archaeological Park.
And after some research, I ended up choosing Aquamare Beach Hotel & Spa which sits in the spectacular backdrop of the sparkling Mediterranean. it’s well situated in the quieter areas of the island wherein one enjoys the tranquility of a wonderful beachfront setting.
(This Magical picture was clicked by Marios Menelaou)
Airport to the Hotel Journey
I landed in Larnaca Airport, Cyprus wherein I was Received by Panagiotis and it took around 1 hour 45 mins to reach the hotel.
The closest airport to the Hotel is Paphos City Airport and which is 15 mins drive from the Hotel.
Picture Clicked by – Marios Menelaou
Captured by – Marios Menelaou
Hotel and it’s Location
I was very happy and proud to select this property. I couldn’t get my eyes away from the whole set up of this Hotel, which is very carefully decorated with its super comfy antique look and styled chairs and sofas to its elegantly presented restaurants and bars situated at basement level, to spas and modern equipped gym with an indoor pool as well as an outdoor pool. Going to the guest rooms which are up to the 6th floor takes style to the next level.
The rooms at the Aquamare Hotel are in keeping with those of a beachside property, large, a total of 147. Of those, there are 126 standard twin/double rooms, 19 family suites, and 2 Royal Executive Suites. Each room is equipped with bath and shower, bathroom toiletries which are changed daily, hairdryer, tea & coffee making facilities, electronic safety box, air-conditioning, satellite TV & radio, a minibar (filled on request) and a little balcony with table and chairs. Some of the standard rooms are interconnecting which is the option we always choose as there are six of us. The suites have the luxury addition of bathrobes and slippers. The hotel also has specially adapted rooms for disabled guests which is a real advantage.
The icing over the cake, it’s on the beachside so you just are living a lifestyle living on the beach.
Aquamare is located at close proximity of Paphos Harbour, around 3 km to the City Centre, and around half an hour’s journey from the Aphrodite Rock. The Sea Caves and the Shipwreck are around 30 to 40 mins drive from the Hotel which is equally a must-see.
The Sunset Point of Paphos is also just a 5 mins walk from the Hotel and you just have to walk through the Beachfront.
The hotel is close enough to a Hospital which during an emergency is also a positive point.
Hotel’s Signature Statement
AQUAMARE is an apt name to select when you are in the Mediterranean because you are the Water of the Sea, and because of which the sea exists, this is the most beautiful Four Star Hotel property designed, constructed, and created. The Architecture was well planned wherein they placed the property around its pool garden and massive terraces which took the advantage of the beautiful views from the property for the guests.
Even the interior of the Hotel is placed keeping in mind the beach and sea, and hence the elegant decor of the guest rooms and common areas have its resemblances and even the artifacts stored to give the essence of the ocean with its nautical theme.
Cypriot Hospitality
So after this long journey from my house in Mumbai, India to Aquamare Beach Hotel & Spa was a long one, as it was via Mumbai Traffic to Airport to a short layover in Bahrain Airport as there are no direct flights, then landing in Larnaca Airport and the drive to the hotel in Paphos.
So the requirement was sleep, and no check-in hassles, and that’s where Aquamare Management won my heart, My room keys were ready, just had to wait for few minutes for the people ahead of me to receive their keys, while waiting I was kept hydrated and refreshed with lovely local welcome drinks,
When I had booked they already had my documents so they said, they would take the original for a copy later, as they would prefer me going to the room and resting for a while. I have a habit to quiz if my room is the best room with a great view and they simply said you would be happy with the little surprise at the end of the room.
The Room with a view
I got my keys, and I was informed my room number was 639, on the 6th floor which is the top floor of the hotel, it already made me super happy as I love staying at higher floors in any of the hotel. So it was a Superior Double Room with Sea View, and trust me all my tiredness due to the journey automatically turned into joy and freshness after seeing the view from my room. it really was a surprise.
The Room Amenities
The room was well equipped, the bed was really good, as I have a troubled back it was the most comfortable bed which provided a sound sleep. Mattress, linen, pillows were all new, clean, and hygienic, it showed how much the hotel management cared well for the guests.
Other than that Room had a small TV, A Refrigerator, Toiletries consisted of Shampoo, Conditioner, and Shower Gel and they were good products. There is a hairdryer provided. Enough Charging points which are at a hand’s distance while you wanna be resting on the bed. There are two chairs and a little stool if you wanna sit and munch, The air conditioning is fantastic, just one has to remember that it is connected to the door of the balcony so if you don’t shut the balcony door then your Air Conditioning won’t work.
The hotel provides Coffee packets and Black Tea packets with sugar and milk. ( Here I would like a little extra some change as I am more of a Green Tea Person)
complimentary bottle of water is just provided once in the whole stay which should be even considered.
There is a huge wardrobe to keep all your clothes and luggage bags.
They even provide a Safety Lock for you to keep your belongings safe while you go outside your room.
There is a bathtub in the bathroom so after a good swim turn into a relaxing mode by sleeping and chilling inside the bathtub for a few more minutes.
Awesomely captured by – Marios Menelaou
Breakfast
My package included Breakfast.
Welcome to Kirke – the restaurant whose name derives from the Greek Goddess Kirke who apparently used to seduced the Sailors, I do not know about the Sailors now, nor about the Goddess but I know its a saying in India, you do achieve heaven when you get good food to fill your tummy and soul and Kirke did that for me.
This is where breakfast is served and looks out to the Mediterranean Sea, although it’s very busy as you would expect in the high season, there is a relaxing ambiance. be there for breakfast early as 7 am at the time of start to take full advantage of the serene and calm atmosphere. It’s at the basement level of the hotel next to the Gym and the Indoor Pool.
Honestly speaking I was expecting a dull breakfast, as I am a vegetarian who does not consume fish and chicken and I usually do not find food for me, so I end up having bread and croissants.
But trust me I was in awe more than shocked to see so many vegetarian and vegan options in the Breakfast. And I honestly ate so so much. Breakfast is lavish, there is all manner of cereals, and dried fruits, bowls of unctuous chocolate and caramel and fragrant Greek honey to spread on your toast or bread of which there is a rich choice. There are croissants and other breakfast pastries as well as typical Greek pastries filled with cheese and spinach. The quality and the grade of the food are awesome and it shows that the guest should feel like a royal to be fed with whatever they wish for.
Green Tea options were so amazing, but the best was to have Hot Chocolate and eat dates with freshly cut fruits.
I might end up going to this place just for their breakfast options.
Other Restaurants & Bars.
Ambrosia restaurant is the hotel’s main dining area offering a rich and sumptuous buffet with a different theme every evening.
Aquamare has Two different bars which you can choose as per your liking:
1. Nektar Bar
2. Tavernaki Beach Bar
L’Aqua Spa
Aquamare has one of the finest spas in Paphos – L’Aqua Spa where guests can enjoy a host of luxury treatments including therapeutic and de-stressing massages and hydrotherapy treatments, a hammam, hair and beauty treatments using Elemis and Payot products as well as access to the indoor pool which is open to all guests. I felt I had the most relaxing time when I had my session. just the word “too good”.
Other Facilities
Aquamare even houses:
1. One large Outdoor Pool with Jacuzzi
2. One children’s pool
3. One Indoor Pool which is heated between November – March
If the Man-made pool doesn’t make you happy not to worry hop out and go to God’s Created Pool, as it is you are in the Most beautiful Mediterranean in the world. The hotel does supply beach towels which you collect in the morning from the spa with a specially allocated token which you collect at the end of the day. Towels can be changed several times during the day.
4. Aquamare has a fitness center which is a Fully equipped Gym with the latest technology fitness equipment from “Techno Gym” with exercise machines, Kinesis, free weights, aerobics room, Jacuzzi, steam bath and two saunas.
5. Table Tennis Court
6. Tennis Court
7. Indoor and Outdoor Kids Club
Three Conference Rooms for Business Guests:
1. Diana Conference Room located on the first floor and holds up to 200 delegates.
2. Artemis Conference Room also, located on the first floor and holds up to 300 delegates.
3. Pegasus Multifunction Room is located on the mezzanine floor, which can hold up to 200 delegates.
Home away from Home
If you are planning to travel to Paphos in Cyprus then you do not need to have second thoughts to visit this Hotel. I guess my trip to Cyprus wouldn’t be this awesome if I wouldn’t have stayed at Aquamare.
The Staff assisted me in going to places nearby and helped me in whatever I need from airport transfers to extra soft pillows to some more coffee sachets.
sometimes you feel home even after being not at home, and Aquamare is that for me.
Go and book your trip to Paphos now and your stay at:
Aquamare Beach Hotel & Spa
Poseidonos Ave, P.O.Box 62654
8066 Kato Paphos, Cyprus
email: info@aquamarehotel.com
Tel: 00357 26966000
website: www.aquamarehotel.com
If you want such amazing pictures like me when in Cyprus,
then contact:
Marios Menelaou
Instagram: menelaouphotography
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mmenelaouphotography/
A complete another blog is coming soon for the magic created with Marios
