We haven't been on a great deal of package holidays and we're still a little wary of the whole process of buying flight,hotel,transfers etc in one go!

We arrived at The Athena Beach around midnight, the main entrance and foyer look very smart and palatial and as initial impressions go it was a very good one!

The hotel is curved, with rooms leading off from the central foyer. Our room was a couple of minutes walk along a long corridor. The room was very clean and well appointed, the bathroom was spotless. I guess we were lucky in that we were allocated a sea view room, having chosen not to pay the extra supplement!!!

By the time we unpacked the bar had closed, although the staff we more than happy to serve us drinks. We went back to our rooms and ordered room service which arrived in reasonable time and for late night room service sandwiches they were more than expectable.

After spending 7days here it became obvious that the staff and management fully understood the needs of their clients. The entire hotel was clean....polished and very well maintained. We chose the bed and breakfast option prior to travel as I'm always a little sceptical about half board options when there will be numerous restaurants nearby. However, we ate in the hotel for five of the six evenings, such was the quality of the food on offer and at a very reasonable price. Most nights had a varying theme, all with more than adequate choice. Perhaps if we were there for two weeks then it may have become repetitive but for a week it was unexpected quality and value.

The pool and beach area were again well maintained and quite picturesque with ample access to drinks throughout the day. A short walk back into the hotel took us to the small shop, stocking newpapers, drinks etc.

The bar also provided the evening entertainment, the usual fare but all were professional and if nothing else good background noise! The bar was well stocked and whilst not cheap it wasn't over the top either. The staff were always on the go, table service was quick considering how busy it often was. The same staff were also serving in the foyer and the outdoor balconies, we never waited too long for a drink!

Good points.....clean throughout, staff customer service was good throughout (see bad..) The room was well appointed, public areas palatial, pools and beach clean and attractive with no sunbed issues. Location is right on the beach, a 30 minute coastal walk into Paphos or use the bus stop straight outside the hotel!

Bad points.....I'm being fussy here, one night with the evening meal we sat for around ten minutes waiting to be seen before a couple on another table pointed us out to the waiter! The shop seems to stock only a limited brand of newpapers. However, there's a larger shop 5 mins walk over the road. Wifi was payable, from memory €15 for 24 hours, not what I expect at a hotel of this calibre!

In summary I have to conclude that Constantinou Bros, the hotels owners, genuinely do know a thing or two about what us brits want in a hotel. Location is good, rooms well appointed, food exceptional for catering for such large numbers and a well stocked bar...all in all we'd certainly consider returning and would recommend it to anyone planning to visit Paphos.

The only thing negative of any great note about the holiday itself was the quality of the Thompson flight. They manage to get customer service wrong on these flights on so many levels. Their attempts at squeezing more profit out of its guests become almost sitcom material. Perhaps the irony of Thompson constantly pressurising its hotel partners to maintain standards while the Thompson part of the holiday remains by far the weakest area will dawn on them one day!!!