Annabelle

We stayed at the Annabelle for 7 nights but I wish we stayed longer. We arrived at around 10pm and we were greeted by such friendly staff and we enjoyed a refreshing welcome drink, listening to the pianist, before being shown to our room. We had a sea view room on the top floor which was gorgeous. The room was large and spacious, and spotlessly cleaned to perfection and the bed is humongous and comfortable. The bathroom is of good size and had a powerful shower, I appreciated the Acqua di Parma toiletries which smelt amazing and was a lovely touch. The sea view is fantastic, we could see over to the Castle in the distance. As it was so hot during our stay, we didn’t spent too long out on the balcony but if it was a tad cooler, I’d imagine we would have spent a lot of time on there. We did sit on the chairs in the room where we could enjoy the view with the air con. We didn’t experience too much in the way of noise in our room, we could not hear the rooms either side, but we did hear one of the bars on the sea front until around 1am. We went to breakfast 3 times during our stay, the breakfast itself is of good quality and there is plenty of choice, with continental, English and local options but it is a little on the small side and wasn’t particularly special. It got very busy around the buffet in each time we came to breakfast. As it finished at 10 each morning, it seemed like many people, including ourselves, came down shortly before. I’ve never stayed in a hotel where breakfast finished so early, usually, breakfast is served until 10:30 or even 11. I feel that if it finished slightly later, it could mean less of a rush before 10. The pool area and hotel grounds are simply gorgeous, the best that I have ever seen. There are always sun beds available no matter what time of the day with so many areas you can sit and soak up the sun. The sun beds are very comfortable and even had a button to call staff to take your drinks order. But bear in mind, the drinks prices were on the steep side. There are 4 pools to choose from, they rather shallow as they are heated, there wasn’t much of a need to have been in our visit! All of the pools are well maintained and of a great standard, one pool had a hot tub and another pool had an actual cave along with a swim up bar. The only complaint is that the palm trees were blooming around the pool and many small flowers from this were falling in the pool which of course isn’t the fault of the hotel. The location is possibly the best in Paphos, within a few minutes walk, you are spoilt for choice with restaurants and bars, some better than others! As we stayed on a B&B basis, it was handy to have all this choice so near. We ate at a different restaurant every night and most days, we had a drink or two at the Wooden Pub. It is also around a 15 minute walk to the archeological site which is well worth a visit if you’re a history buff with mosaics, Roman ruins and even a small amphitheater. We dined at the Mediterraneo Restaurant on the sea front on one evening, the food, drink and staff were incredible there. The menu is small and concise, we both had the spaghetti carbonara which was far better than anything we ate in Rome! We hoped to dine in the other restaurants of the hotel, but unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay from start to finish. The hotel is elegant, classy and luxurious. All of the staff that we met, from the reception to the pool staff, maids and concierge are attentive and friendly, thank you to all of you! We will definitely return and will recommend this to anyone planning on staying in Paphos.

The Annabelle did not disappoint in any way. The staff were amazing and very friendly. The food and drinks we had were excellent. Some people had commented about how expensive it was but considering the quality of everything on offer we thought it was comparable to others restaurants of the same quality. We will definitely be going back. For us personally it would have been nice to have an adults only pool/area. Although we knew it didn’t it was an enjoyable experience. Thanks to all at The Annabelle.

Booked a seven night stay at the Annabelle hotel in Cyprus. 4 adults. We originally booked a two bedroom sea view suite on a bed and breakfast basis but around a week before we were contacted by our travel agent to say our room had been overbooked by the hotel. Frustrating and no one likes having their holiday changed at the last minute but we accepted an offer of two one bedroom sea view duplexes with a complimentary upgrade to half board. So a good effort from the hotel for that. Copped nearly a three hour delay travelling out so frustratingly turned up at the hotel past midnight starving and with all restaurants shut for the night. Kudos to the hotel, they had preempted our late arrival with a swift check in and sandwiches and various bites ready in the room along with water and two bottles of MOET. So a great start. First night saw a couple of cockroaches. One in each room. Not a great sign but thankfully not a regular occurrence. Few here and there. Breakfast every day was the normal buffet fare. 90 percent of people want to sit outside and the sun starts hitting the terrace around 8. So be prepared to wait for a table in the shade if you want to breakfast “Al Fresco”. Food was ok. Not a huge variety but the usual selection of cereals, fruit, pastries and fry up all in one small area. Quite greasy. Breakfast was what we least enjoyed. First proper night we tried the Antasia beach restaurant. A lovely 15 minute walk along the promenade with great food and atmosphere. And with the half board option (which was a serendipitous must have) a bargain. Thoroughly enjoyed and went back on our last night. Second night we took the hotels recommendation and booked Ouranos. One of their highly rated a la carte restaurants. Sorry to say the wheels fell off that night. Our outdoor table wasn’t ready and and offer of a free round of drinks was a nice gesture but took an hour to turn up. By then none of us were really “in the mood”. Food was ok at best. Sorry Annabelle. wouldn’t recommend. Had lunch a couple of times in the “Mediterraneo “beach front restaurant. Lovely food. Huge portions. The sister hotel “Almyra” is right next door. Both restaurants “Notios” and “Ouzheri” are great but note that the latter is not on the half board option so expect a bill of around 300 euros with decent wine for 4 Unfortunately, there was a recurring low level sewer smell in and around the hotel and rooms on some days. Occasionally the toilets near the pool were blocked and that did really cause an issue. Codes on the actual pool toilets which were fine as long as you could work the keypad. Understand that they are locked to stop “all comers” but would have been more practical to use your room key. As with Cyprus, Cats are everywhere. At least 20 or so resident moggies in the grounds of the hotel. They were not bothersome though, just the usual “waifs and strays”. Pool was good. Sunbeds always available. If anything a little too warm and to take a hint from the competition in Dubai, when the water temp is 35 degrees you probably should think about cooling it. Pafos in general is a nice town. Lots of good hotels and restaurants and a great harbour to wander down at night. The beaches are either rubbish or non existent though. We tried the aforementioned beach club at Antasia. To be honest 80 euros for 4 sun beds is a rip off. There was a private event so no amenities although they were happy to take our money anyway. The beach is tiny, quite rocky with lots of seaweed. There’s a few other “ pay as you gos” but if you want a beach holiday choose one of the other locations in Cyprus or, do like we did and spring 200 euros for a car so you can drive to coral bay 20 minutes up the road or around the rest of the island. Limassol was about an hour away and has a good selection of wide sandy beaches and shallow sea. Generally speaking we enjoyed the hotel. The amenities were mainly good and varied with a large dine around selection. Staff were friendly, attentive and always ready to help. Room service was a bit patchy. Rooms were tidied everyday but didn’t have enough towels/flannels etc. Annoyingly items like tea,coffee, sugar and stuff had to be constantly requested and we are still a little confused by the free water in the room and the 4-50 euros for water from the mini bar. Round the pool as well. I get that everything has a price but if you mark everything else up by a few cents you could probably just give water for free. Or do what we have seen in other hotels where you are given a recyclable bottle and can refill yourself from numerous water fountains. Would we return? To this hotel, no. But mainly because of the lack of a decent beach and I think, regardless of variety the restaurants would feel a little “samey” on a second visit. Value for money ? Yes. Especially with the half board option. Rooms are large and bright. Realistically I think the hotels got a couple of years before its due an overhaul. Does it compare with Dubai for example ? No of course not but it’s not Dubai prices. As a final note. Don’t forget a flight to Cyprus is nearly five hours. That can be a hard slog in economy with small planes and little leg room. All in all though location - 6/10 (no beach) Dining - 7/10 (good selection) Service - 8/10 (great but sort out the replenishment of stuff in the rooms) Value for money - 7/10 (generally good but stop charging for water) Overall - 7/10

We would highly recommend staying at the Annabelle hotel based on our experience. Weather, staff, room and food were all great. Staff - were very welcoming and accommodating. Engaging with us all and genuinely wanting to make our stay a positive experience Food - breakfast buffet had a great selection and was open 7-10am daily. We were on half board and ate at the three onsite restaurants in the evening. If you wanted to switch evening for lunch meal this could be done. Great food and catered to different dietary requirements. You are walking distance to the harbor so could also go out to eat there if you wanted. Resort - was spacious, clean and well staffed. There is a spa, gym, hotel bar and lots of seating in the hotel lobby area Rooms - spacious, clean and modern. We had an ocean view overlooking the pool and harbor. We were on the third floor which gave us a great view of the sunsets Pool area - lots of beds around the pool and there are 4 areas to enjoy the sun! Towels not available until 8am in the morning and if you save beds/leave them unattended for a period of time they will remove your items Across from the hotel there are a number of shops including a pharmacy which were very hand to have close by. If you are thinking about staying here book the stay. You won't be disappointed!

- Clean, well decorated and modern rooms with attention to detail. - Outstanding and friendly staff who go over and above with their first class service. Thank you to the guy who made my espresso martini to my specification, I didn't get his name but he remembered for the duration of my stay. - Amazing breakfast with lots of choices. - Grounds and pools clean and well maintained. - Sunbeds on the well-kept grass area to the front of the hotel with easy access to the sea. - Watersports hire are right next to the hotel. - - Easy walk to Paphos harbour with an abundance of amazing restaurants. Recommend The Pelican. - Already booked return visit with hubby in October.