We went to the Asimina for our honeymoon in October 2011. Majority of good points, but a few bad.

We had a ridiculously nice room - on the 1st floor overlooking the pool. Other guests did tell us at the time that we probably had some of the best views (and best room) in the hotel, so go for a room overlooking the pool if you can, even if its just for the amazing sunsets over the ocean.
The hotel were aware that it was our honeymoon, and on our 2nd evening we were brought champagne on ice. Sipping champers on the huge balcony watching the sun set was the highlight of my honeymoon!

The turn down service every evening was a bonus as they leave a small bottle of water for each guest, which saves on buying it. Plus, I would recommend asking at Reception for the mini bar to be empied as you can then use it as a fridge for free.

Evening meal started at 7pm, which is quite late for us, but we ate in the beach restaurant everyday for lunch so that put us on! The food during the day was delicious, and as it overlooks the ocean, feels such a treat! Plus if you go half board you can switch and get your lunch included in the half board and go into the town for dinner, which we did on a number of occassions. The evening meal in the restaurant was nice, but did feel a bit posh, but due to the class of hotel this is probably what should be expected. Don't expect chips!! There is a good selection of food, but if you're picky like me (or a vegetarian like my husband) you might struggle, which is why we ate out on a few occassions. They offer a typical buffet section (food already prepared in turines for starters and mains), an oriental section with a chef constantly preparing the dishes, and a meat and fish / carvery area where food is cooked to order, or roasted meats are carved for you. Our regular "carvery man" was Myke, who was fantastic. As you can appreciate, you may be stood for 5 mins or so waiting for your meat to cook, and Myke was so friendly and attentive.

Near the end of our stay a few issues arose. They put on offers at the end of season, and the hotel was rammed - full to bursting! So that meant waiting for a table, "reserving" of sun loungers and our room becoming noisy from all angles. It wasn't a deal breaker, but I'm a very light sleeper, and even earplugs didn't drown it out. I think the noise is due to the door separating the lounge and bedroom and the wardrobe doors being on rollers so they were noisy when rolling, plus made a massive bang if you let go. But as I said, not a deal breaker. The main issue we had was with the senior staff members: 2 older gentleman that I'm assuming were Constantinou brothers. The waiting staff were excellent - attentive, friendly (but not in your face!) and so professional, but the treatment they got from these men was appalling, and it was public. I understand that this profession is stressful, especially when the hotel was at full capacity, but having a go at staff in public areas is not on. And this left a sour taste.Saying that, I would return to the Asimina, but not as such a busy time. Big thank you to Evi for her charm, ideas of places to go, and friendliness every day!

I have seen a few reviews saying that the hotel was "jammed in" amongst others. Obviously the beach front locations are very popular so would be a developers first choice! We weren't affected by the others being close as we were too busy sunbathing, being brought chilled flannels and frozen fruit to enjoy!

Tips on Paphos
Try Undersea Walking: absolutely fantastic - you walk on the ocean floor with a helmet on providing you with air. No scuba equipment needed. It felt very safe, and you have the option to purchase a DVD of your photo's.

We went with huge expectations, having read all the positive reviews. We'd previously stayed at the Anassa, and expected similar levels of quality and "feel good" surroundings.

We were amazed to find the hotel "jammed in" amongst dozens of others, along a very average beach, very very close to the airport. Location felt more 2 star than 5 star!


Service was excellent but lacked a bit of soul.

Great pool, disappointing beach.

Great choice of buffet food, nobody seemed to eat in the fine dining restaurant so we didnt either, but after a week of buffets, we longed for something different.

Planes flying right above your head wasn't great, albeit we got used to it fairly quickly.

In summary, I'd say the hotel has worked hard to get "ticks in boxes" required for a 5 star hotel, but failed to truly wow.

We'd opt for the Anassa any day of the week.... it's more expensive, but it's in a different league in almost every category: rooms, food, views, beach, space, surroundings, gardens, facilities, quality of furnishings.... definitely worth saving up those extra pennies!

I stayed here as part of an educational with work and our flight got in very late, so didn't get to the hotel until 1am. From the moment we arrived we were greeted by the receptionist and taken to the lounge where champagne and nibbles were served. Staff were so helpful and friendly showing us to our rooms and taking our bags up. When I walked into my room I was amazed! A mini suite all to myself! An area with TV, sofa and balcony then into the next room with huge double bed, desk and pool and sea view and sumptuous marble bathroom. With bathtub with shower and then huge wet room with huge overhead shower. The bed was really comfy to sleep on too! Breakfast had a wide variety along with the evening buffet. The pool area was large with plenty of sunbeds and the hotel has a private beach. It is an adult only hotel which is great for getting away from it all. We looked around the private plunge pool rooms too which were very impressive. Highly recommend this hotel.

First I want to say a massive "thank you" to Classic Collection Holidays and Travel Stop (Agents, Claydon, Suffolk) for pulling out all the stops to make this second attempt at a honeymoon so perfect. After our poor experience in Egypt earlier this year we really needed a relaxing and stressless break - and you certainly provided it. We cannot thank you enough.

I don't know who was responsible for the free upgrade to a suite with our own "affinity"plunge pool with jacuzzi, or the champagne on ice waiting for us in our suite on arrival - but whoever it was - we appreciated the gesture. Sipping champange on our balcony in the sunshine was the perfect start to our holiday and set a very positive tone for the rest of our week.

On arrival at Assimina Suites we were met by Suzanne who very efficiently whisked us through the formalities, offered us drinks and nibbles (very welcome) and then took us to our suite. Suzanne has a lovely sense of humour and made us feel at home very quickly. Georges was the porter on duty that day - but was also doubling as a pool attendant as there was something of a shortage that day - so our luggage was a few minutes being delivered to the suite - for which he apologised sincerely. We hadn't noticed - we were busily sipping champagne and marvelling at the spaciousness of the suite, the size of the bathroom (also housing a jacuzzi bath) and the outstanding cleanliness. The size of the pillows on the bed were a topic of conversation for some while! Enormous and reminded me of the old joke about dreaming you'd eaten a giant marshmallow. Plenty of wardrobe, draw and cupboard space and PROPER HANGERS - lots of them (always a bonus). Quiet aircon in both the bedroom and the lounge, free bottles of water placed on the bedside tables every night and dinky little bedside mats (changed daily) that read "Goodnight" as you stepped into bed and "Good Morning" as you stepped out - and in six languages. Silly? Superfluous? Maybe - but a nice touch all the same.

The buffet dinner had a huge choice of meals and was different every night. It was well cooked and hot food was hot. Breakfast was the same - a huge choice and Debra (Scots lass) one of the breakfast chefs was always on hand to cook eggs for you just the way you wanted them and always with a smile.

In fact wherever we were in the hotel the staff were friendly, welcoming and eager to please without being overbearing. In fact it was five star luxury minus the stuffiness. Kymata beach side restaurant was the perfect location for a romantic evening meal or a relaxed and unhurried lunch. The a la carte food served there was beautifully cooked (if rather over the top on portion control - I never once made it to desert). Marious and his team at Kymata are a lovely bunch and it made dining there a real pleasure. Marious went out of his way to get a certain wine for our last night (it was on the menu but hadn't been available on any of the nights we ate there) and made sure it wasn't sold to anyone else. Dining at Kymata was more a "Shirley Valentine" moment than just plain old eating out!

The swimming pool, gardens, cabannas and sun loungers, were faultlessly cleaned and cared for and the small beach was raked every morning. If there is any criticism at all it was that the main pool and our private pool were very cold. In the main pool only a few very hardy souls seemed to brave the water.

At night, sitting on the large terrace overlooking the pool, and watching glorious sunsets, Carmen and Briggitta served our favourite cocktails and didn't take long to remember that my husband wanted "ice no slice". Lovely girls who never seemed to be short of a smile - even when people were still partying at 1a.m. Don't be put off by the word "partying" because the whole atmosphere at Asimina, although very busy, exuded calm and quiet.

Getting to the Harbour, if you don't want to walk in the heat, couldn't be easier. Buses run every 15 minutes from early until late, are very cheap and also very clean. From the bus terminus in the harbour you can use the same E2 ticket to get a bus into the old town. THe same ticket will also take you back to your hotel, or anywhere else in the Pafos area. Very good value. Pafos feels very safe. I wouldn't have been worried about getting about on my own if I had needed to. Every cafe or public amenity I visited in Pafos had extremely clean toilet facilities (something some of our own seaside towns might want to take on board!

We loved everything about Pafos and the Asimina Suites and would certainly return there. One of the best holidays I have ever had.