What I wouldn't give to be back here now!
It was my mum, Elaine’s, special birthday. I don’t think she will mind me saying her 60th, so we wanted to stay somewhere special.
After lots of discussion, we decided on Cyprus as neither of us had been there before.
After just a 4 and a half hour flight with Easyjet we were greeted at Paphos airport by a private taxi transfer.
Feeling relaxed because we didn’t have to scramble on to a coach that stops at multiple destinations before dropping you off at your hotel.
Only 25 minutes later, we arrived at the Coral Beach Hotel and Resort, and felt the stresses of everyday life float away. We just looked at each other and smiled. This was going to be our home for the next week.
Staying at the Coral Beach Hotel and Resort in Paphos didn’t disappoint.
This magnificent hotel is situated on 500 meters of Coral beach, has it’s own private harbour, is located on the edge of the Akamas penninsula, an area protected by UNESCO and has been on the World Heritage list since 1980.
Onthebeach.co.uk does what it says on the tin, offering holidays for couples, families and groups with hotels situated right on the beach. On The Beach and has thousands of hotels listed to suit everyones needs.
We were very excited as we have never been to Cyprus, and the hotel was all inclusive.
There are many types of rooms to choose from but a sea view room was our accommodation with a lovely balcony to watch the stunning sunsets in the the evening.
The hotel is huge and can cater for hundreds of people, but we never felt like it was crowded as it is so spacious.
The only thing we needed our watches for was to see what time the all inclusive food would be available.
It is actually quite astonishing the amount of food the hotel provide.
I’m a bit of a fussy eater, but when you have every kind of food you can think of on offer at each meal, I found plenty of things I liked.
Let’s talk about the food and drink. Coral Beach Hotel has 4 bars and 6 restaurants. Yes 6! Offering a selection of cuisines from Cypriot to French and from traditional fresh fish to romantic Italian.
We tried all the restaurants.
The Limani Taverna was where we would enjoy my mums birthday meal.
This A La Carte restaurant is situated by the hotel’s private harbour and beach, and provides the perfect setting for a relaxed meal by the waterfront.
We both had the chicken Souvla which tasted delicious. It is a traditional dish from Cyprus which is large pieces of meat cooked on a long skewer over a charcoal barbecue. Washed down with a bottle of champagne, well we were celebrating!
We even had enough room to have a dessert of Baklava and traditional rice pudding. The interior of this lovely restaurant, which is right beside the hotel’s own private amphitheatre, has been virtually carved out of the solid rock.
There are lots of things to do if you want to venture into Paphos.
Like visiting the ancient ruins at Kato Paphos Archaeological Park which includes sites and monuments from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, while most remains date to the Roman period. The marvellous mosaic floors of four Roman villas from the impressive epicentre of the finds. The complex includes other important monuments, such as the Asklipieion, the Odeion, the Agora, the “Saranta Kolones” (Forty Columns) Fortress, the “Limeniotissa” Ruins of early Christian Basilica and the “Tombs of the Kings”.
Back at the hotel you can join in the activities (if you have the energy) with 4 tennis courts, a fully equipped gym, squash court, snooker or pool or try your hand at the arts and craft studio.
If it’s relaxation you’re after, then why not try some of the treatments available in the Esthisis (the greek word for senses) Spa.
My mum and I were going all out to treat ourselves, and the Spa was at the top of our list.
I treated my mum to a 2 hour Elemis Absolute Spa Ritual and I had reflexology, absolute heaven. If we weren’t relaxed before we definitely were after that.
Whether you are going with your family, or a couple celebrating a special occasion, The Coral Beach Hotel and Resort really does have everything in one place.
Factfile
Cyprus – Paphos from £319: Check out Cyprus with beach holiday specialist On the Beach on this seven-night holidays staying at the 5* Coral Beach Hotel and Resort. Price includes return flights from airports across the UK seven nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.
All holidays are priced per person and subject to availability
Book online at www.onthebeach.co.uk or call the UK call centre on 0871 474 3000.
Travel tips
- Check your adaptors. The electricity supply in Cyprus and the sockets used are the same as in the United Kingdom: 240 volts, ac 50Hz. Sockets are usually 5A or 13A, square-pin. Adaptors are available from the hotel reception.
- Make sure you check the timetable for the restaurants as they aren’t all open on the same days.
- You can book any Spa treatments before you arrive, see the website for a spa menu.