An artisan designed hotel, the Elysium Hotel in Paphos, truly excited us and lived up to all that we expected. Just minutes away from the world-famous Tomb of Kings, an array of restaurants on the promenade, close to the Old Paphos Town & Port, and with a private beach, you have a family-friendly location in Cyprus, that will serve you for at least a week or more.
Inspired by the Byzantine era, with sophisticated arabesque design, the Elysium makes you feel like you are entering a luxurious palace, and yet you truly are. Once you are inside, you are transported to another world.
Staff are trained to perfection and service is welcoming, warm but not intrusive. The hotel is run exceptionally well and whatever your request, you will be taken care of with speed, thoughtfulness and care. I unfortunately spent the first two days of our holiday with a cold and the hotel made the entire experience so much easier for me, whether it were fulfilling a request for honey and lemon, catering an expansive in-room breakfast, or a superb in-room dinner.
The hotel is ideal for families and children as the property is large but not so expansive that you feel like you are drowning and lost. Everything is within reasonable proximity which makes it easier especially for families with younger kids and the accessibility for prams with lifts and ramps works extremely well too.
There are 5 restaurants and 2 bars on the property. A delectable breakfast is served daily at the Lemounia restaurant, with delightful little lemon trees planted outside.
Ristorante Bacco is open for dinner and serves the most delicious Tuscan-inspired cuisine, which stole our hearts, and is designed to resemble a wine cellar with a vaulted ceiling.
Cypriot dishes are served in the open-air Mediterraneo, which sits alongside the sea, and serves lunch, whilst sushi is served at O’Shin.
The Epicurian restaurant hosts a different international theme every evening for a buffet style feast and don't miss the live Cypriot band and dancing which occurs once a week.
The Angel Kids Club offers a delightful programme that runs from 9 am to 5 pm and includes a lovely little soft play area to keep the kids aged 3-12 well entertained. Our son had the best time here and looked forward to this everyday. Bookings are made by morning or afternoon session. Kids also can be entertained in the playground and there is a small water slide for very young kids.
Which then leaves you time to grace your presence Opium Spa which houses ESPA treatments, a name synonymous with decadent massages, beauty treatments and facials. I tried the deep tissue massage which was phenomenal and afterwards I relaxed in the spa with a gorgeous mint tea. Alongside the Opium Spa, you will find a gorgeous indoor pool and a wellness plus fitness centre.
Our room was adequately sized and perfectly thought through, with gorgeous Egyptian cotton bedding, Molton Brown toiletries and a perfect set of storage to suit a week long stay. A luxurious and tasteful style continued throughout with choice of furniture and the overall design.
Our room balcony overlooked the pierce de resistance: the multi-level pools including a roman bath, perfect to keep the kids gloriously occupied. Overlooking this, everyday at 6 pm, you will be entertained with live music till the evening in a gorgeous terrace overlooking the ocean - perfect for sunset watching and after dinner drinks.
The hotel has a small beach which is more suited to adults as it is quite rocky so reef shoes are recommended. There is also a tennis court and diving centre on site which will be perfect to explore those Cypriot waters.
Overall, we had an amazing stay at the Elysium. It is a superb, luxurious family friendly hotel, and we can't wait to return!
Much Love
Shanti
The Kensington Diary
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