Athena Beach Hotel Paphos

The Athena Beach hotel was the most luxurious I'd ever stayed in - as hostels or cheap B&Bs are more my style usually.

My girlfriend and I stayed there to go to a friend's wedding. Apparently two people with different surnames shouldn't share rooms, unless it's in a platonic sense as we were given twin beds... Hey ho, we just pushed them together.

We were full board, which meant we got a breakfast and dinner buffet which were sumptuous, extravagant and huge. Buffets are always a good excuse to gorge shamelessly and I did so with gusto. The choice was incredible, and my GF (as a fake vegi who somehow eats chicken) found she was able to enjoy it as much as me.

Nine different mains, a carvery, Chinese, Italian, soup, salad, cheese, fish, many (many, many, many) deserts... I'm salivating just thinking about it!

Breakfast was just as good, even if the Cypriots couldn't manage to make a croissant...

The room was clean, comfortable and spacious. We had a TV that allowed us to watch the BBC news and a selection of sport. We had a balcony that allowed us to soak up the sun. It was more than pleasant.

The hotel really out did itself on the special touches. My girlfriend celebrated her birthday out in Cyprus and we had balloons on the door, a banner and a free fruit platter with a bottle of plonk. Nice! The service in the bar was prompt and totally comprehensive.

I'd totally recommend this hotel to anyone wishing to stay local to the town, wanting to worship the sun, enjoy the pools and after a good meal!