Lynne Coates gets a warm welcome in the newly renovated Asimina Suites Hotel in Paphos.
Viktorija the charming guest relations manager greets us as we arrive at the five-star Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel in Paphos, one of four hotels owned by this family-run group.
Freshly renovated, Asimina Suites Hotel is now sparklingly ready to receive guests. I am immediately impressed with my Deluxe Superior Sea View suite, one of the newly upgraded suites on the fifth floor. A tasteful combination of pale wood furniture and soft creamy-beige and turquoise décor flows throughout the suite, in perfect harmony with the hotel’s sea-front location. Floor-to- ceiling glass doors open onto a generous balcony, with panoramic views over the bay, hotel gardens and pool.
Often a bathroom critic, I find the en-suite well designed with everything in the right place – hairdryer conveniently attached to the wall beside the mirror and huge walk-in shower with easy-to-use controls and a wall bracket at the right height for the generous-size toiletries containing nourishing organic olive oil and vitamins. There is a super-size bath (not that I expect to have time for a soak), and hooks in all the right place for bathrobes and towels.
I notice bathroom scales but may avoid stepping on them, as Cypriot food is irresistible. The suite is equipped with a well-stocked mini-bar, espresso machine, flat screen TV, and, most importantly, a luxurious ‘Simmons’ bed.
The hotel is most proud of its newly-opened St Andrew’s Rooftop Bar and I can see why. This cool, pristine-white, contemporary rooftop is set at an angle to capture panoramic sea views and frame stunning Cypriot sunsets. It’s the perfect venue for events and pre-dinner cocktails.
I meet with my fellow travellers for champagne and delicious canapés, before heading down to Kymata, the beachside restaurant. Alfresco dining beside the sea is my absolute favourite and we are served a never-ending Cypriot meze with an overwhelming choice of dips, fish and meat dishes, bowls of wonderful salads and fresh vegetables. And just when I think I can’t possibly eat any more, there are irresistible sweet pastries and platters of fruit. Cypriot hospitality knows no bounds, and it’s just rude to say no.
It’s hard to believe that, next morning in the hotel’s Estia restaurant, I tuck into an equally indulgent buffet-style Cypriot breakfast. I will definitely avoid those bathroom scales! Thankfully, there are plenty of activities to work off the calories; some take to the swimming pool, where there are water aerobics, yoga and Pilates classes, while others head to the well-equipped gym. The Elixir Spa looks very tempting, and I book a massage for later in the day.
First, I need to get some steps in and take the path from the hotel that leads directly to the beachside promenade, which is lined with restaurants, bars and water-sports activity centres. Turning right I pass by two Constantinou Bros beachside hotels, Athena Royal Beach (adults only) and Athena Beach (family friendly) on my way to Paphos old town, a 30-minute walk away.
Aside from the activities offered by Asimina Suites, guests can enjoy a complimentary selection of experiences, such as cookery lessons, gin tasting, and wine & art. I sign up for the wine & art experience, which takes place on the rooftop terrace. Long tables are arranged with individual easels, tempting cheeseboards and wine. We have a choice of images to work from and I find the experience surprisingly absorbing, though my artistic endeavours won’t be winning any awards!
Paphos, Mythology and Archaeology
Cyprus is a beautiful island. With many historic and cultural places to explore, a choice of guided tours can be booked through the hotel. We enjoy two tours with excellent, informative guides. Angela takes us on a scenic route past Geroskipou Beach, with a photo-stop at Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock), a geological formation that, according to Greek mythology, was the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Apparently, if you swim around the rock three times, you will be granted eternal youth and beauty.
Sadly, l don’t have time to put this to the test, as we continue our tour to the Tomb of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This vast underground necropolis dates back to the 4th century BC, and, for a very reasonable €2.20 admission fee, is well worth a visit. Returning to Paphos, Angela takes us on an informative walk around the historic centre, where many of the old buildings have been restored. Ending our tour in the picturesque old harbour we enjoy a wonderful seafood meze lunch in one of the harbourside restaurants.
Cypriot villages and Gastronomy
Gastronomy is a huge part of Cypriot culture, and we discover the production of Cypriot food is fundamental to village life. Alexia, our guide, is a font of Cypriot knowledge, proudly boasting that Paphos became European Capital of Culture in 2017 and European Capital of Smart Tourism in 2023.
We stop in the village of Letymbou, where scents of citrus and orange blossom permeate the air. We visit Sofia’s House and meet the indomitable lady herself. Baking vast quantities of bread every day, and making halloumi, Sofia supplies the local supermarkets and shops. Watching Sofia and Andreas, her husband, prepare and cook the bread in wood burning ovens, is fascinating. We gather around as she strains vats of goats milk to make halloumi, all the time smiling, as if working this hard is her greatest pleasure.
Later, we sample her freshly baked bread, halloumi and home-made marmalade, with a Greek coffee – I am convinced I have some Greek in my DNA, because this simple food tastes heavenly to me. A drive through beautiful mountain scenery brings us to Kolios Winery in Statos Village.
The vineyards are at an altitude of 3,000 feet, where grapes are grown in light calcareous soil, giving them a unique quality. Kolios produces a selection of wines purely for the Cypriot market. As we tour the cellars with Marios Kolios, he tells us that it was his grandparents who instilled in him a passion for wine. His best white, ‘Persefoni’, is named after his grandmother.
We enjoy a tasting in this unpretentious winery that embodies the connection Cypriot families have with their country. The final stop on our tour is Amargeti, where we meet Mastros, a Cypriot entrepreneur, who runs the Spring of Life restaurant, produces craft beer, wine, carob syrup, and olive oil – in fact there’s not much he doesn’t produce!
He is also a great chef, and lunch, with mostly home-grown produce, is a meze feast. Mastros takes us on an unscheduled walk through the village where we meet some of the locals. He shows us the village museum and church, clearly very proud of his heritage.
It is, unexpectedly, a rather energetic ending to our stay, when a singer, in the style of ‘Tina Turner’, in the hotel’s VIP bar, has us all on our feet, dancing until the early hours – a fitting finale to a memorable stay. I find it hard to say goodbye to Viktorija, bar manager George and the rest of the lovely team at Asimina Suites Hotel. Their hospitality and genuine warmth personify Cyprus, a welcoming destination in these turbulent times.
Tell me more about Asimina Suites Hotel and Cyprus
Lynne was hosted by Constantinou Bros Asimina Suits Hotel and the Paphos Tourist Board.
Prices from £1319 per person for 2 people sharing a Junior Suite land view on B&B in the Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel. For Gatwick departures for 7 nights in June 2026 and includes 22kg luggage allowance and private transfers. Board upgrades available: half board from £1,439, Full board from £1,529 and All Inclusive from £1,639 person.
Book online through Jet2Holidays , or you can call 01924 380 160 to make your booking and for further information visit via the hotel link above.
UK sales office 01924 380 160
The Constantinou Bros Hotel Collection also includes Athena Royal Beach Hotel, Pioneer Beach Hotel and the family friendly Athena Beach Hotel, all located along the Paphos shoreline. Flights to Paphos are available from a wide choice of U.K. airports with Jet2.
Jet2 has a new flight from Gatwick and regular flights from many regional airports.
