In a week when Cyprus’ tourist sector has been highlighting turnover drops of 50%+ following the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri several weeks back, I can report that I am just returned from this stunning Mediterranean island intact, suntanned (a slight exaggeration perhaps) and with not one missile or drone in sight!

Granted, the beaches and hotel sun loungers in Paphos might have been a little short on people; however, if I am being totally honest, that is more about British media hype than what is actually happening on the ground: life was chilled and everyone was open for business.

But, one thing’s for sure, if you want to look for the bad, stop living and put your life on hold then there are other less inspiring places to visit, with greater perceived safety I'm sure, however, whether your life will be better for the experience is a moot point! I would return to Cyprus next week, I really would, and I suspect, I’d get some amazing deals.

Sunsets to die for

Never far from agriculture

So, advertising done (I am not an ‘influencer’ and I was not paid to say any of that!), how did this ‘first time visitor’ to Cyprus find the Med’s third biggest island after Sicily and Sardinia?

I was there at the invite of Constantinou Bros Hotels in Paphos, travelling with fellow writers, and I knew it was going to be an interesting trip when one of my colleagues, visiting from Vienna, shared a cultural gem about Austria’s first city.

Commenting that I had recently been there, and enthusing about how wonderful her adopted home was, my fellow Brit offered her thoughts: “The Viennese have a very dark sense of humour,” she said. “One phrase used to express humorous displeasure, is ‘I will pull off your head and shit in your neck.’”

The table fell apart laughing and, after a more detailed conversation about headlines from the UK’s most famous tabloid, the Sunday Sport – the man who held the record for getting the most Cadbury’s Crème Eggs up his bum springs to mind - everyone agreed that the story was ‘no yolk’. More laughter.

The scene was set. This was going to be a great trip and so it proved.

We were all billeted at the luxurious 5* adults only Asimina Suites Hotel Resort in Paphos, which opened its doors to the public just a week ago following a six-month renovation, which has seen the introduction of new Deluxe Superior One Bedroom Sea View Suites, a rooftop bar with uninterrupted Mediterranean views, and a host of other thoughtful upgrades and touches.

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• 5* luxury at Paphos' Asimina Suites Hotel

This all-suite sanctuary even offers a VIP welcome to guests in a new dedicated check-in lounge, where they are greeted with chilled champagne and canapes.

“Hotels are my passion,” Aristos Diomedous tells me.

He is General Manager of the four Constantinou Bros Hotels and has worked for the organisation since 1994, now overseeing the neighbouring Athena Beach Hotel, the Athena Royal Beach, the Pioneer Beach Hotel and the Asimina Suites Resort.

Looking suave and sophisticated in his cool blue summer suit, he grins as he tells me: “I joined without a contract and I still don’t have one.” His wife also works in the business as executive housekeeper of the Athena Beach.

“Many staff have been with us 30-40 years,” he proudly boasts, “and we have customers who have visited our resorts 110 times. Forty per cent of turnover is the result of repeat visits and it’s simply because we take pride in giving a personal service.”

In a world where top-flight service has seemingly been downgraded to call centres, long holds, faceless communication and AI, it starts to feel like a new truth.

I had arrived 48-hours earlier, choosing to stay in a low-cost booking.com room near Paphos Old Town, before decamping to the Asimina Suites Hotel, in the Geroskipou Beach area, for my remaining four nights.

Chic ateliers in Old Town Paphos

Nowadays, Paphos has shed its sleepy image and its Old Town, once a weathered maze, now hums with a bohemian pulse, its neoclassical facades housing chic ateliers and sun-drenched plazas where street art meets ancient stone.

Town Hall Square, with its Greek and Cypriot flags always flying on public buildings, is an architectural marriage between old and new, whilst nearby Kennedy Square, said to have been named after America’s first family following the ‘donation’ of a Cadillac to Archbishop Makarios, one of the most polarizing figures in modern Cypriot history, promises dancing pepper trees and plenty of eateries and pavement cafes.

The library or 'White House' in Town Hall Sq,Paphos

Kennedy Square in Paphos Old Town

Our guide, Angela Eleftheriou, was a mind of information, explaining about the droughts of 2006 when landowners first began to complain about water shortages, a recurring problem in modern day Cyprus, but much alleviated in 2025 with the arrival of desalination plants.

“At one time it was as if Spring had moved to the mountains,” she quipped. “Because that was the only place you could go to see it!” Ironically, good weather is almost assured!

Paphos is compact. Down at the Harbour area, a brisk walk or short ride from the Old Town – public buses are excellent at just two euros a ride – the transformation is also evident.

Paphos Castle

The beautiful harbour area of Paphos

The medieval Castle stands as a silent sentinel over a revitalized promenade, where the salt-air charm of the fishing port now blends seamlessly with sleek, modern aesthetics including fish restaurants, bars and old buildings hiding the sale of locally made artifacts. Look out for the famous real pelican outside the Pelican restaurant!

Mosaics - Paphos Archaeological Park

Tombs of the Kings

Nearby, the Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its Persian lilac trees, reveals its own secret. In 1962 a local land owner unearthed thousands of mosaic cubes as he was ploughing, revealing perfectly preserved Roman ruins and intricate floor mosaics, many of which are located in the House of Dionysos, famed for its wine-themed mosaics.

And, at the Tombs of the Kings, another short bus ride away, you can check out this amazing underground necropolis dating from the 3rd century BC, also part of the Paphos World Heritage site since 1980.

History surrounds you at every turn, however perhaps the most famous individual in this part of the world is one who never actually existed (allegedly!): the Greek goddess, Aphrodite, one of only two deities from Mount Olympus worshipped by Cypriots over the centuries, the other being Apollo.

Petra Tou Romiou, or Aphrodite’s Rock, is one of the island’s most visited attractions, and legend has that if you swim round it three times while under a full moon, you will stay young and beautiful for ever, even though completing said challenge is prohibited in the interest of health, safety, and preservation of life and limb!

Back at the hotel it was time to chill with a bit of afternoon art, one of the various activities on offer to guests.

Art For Art's Sake!

The Asimina Suites Hotel is located next to a stunning sandy beach with clear sea views, boasts a pool, five bars and a choice of four superb restaurants, including a variety of a la carte dining options from elegant indoor, al fresco and seafront settings.

Guests can also enjoy the Elixir Spa, a 300sqm haven dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation, an indoor pool, a tennis court, fully equipped gym, yoga and stretching classes and aqua aerobics and, of course, an amazing culinary experience.

Food Glorious Food!

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• A well earned Smigie lunch!

It is also a wonderful base for trips further afield and, for those of a more adventurous nature, a drive out to the Turtle Museum at Innia on the rugged Akamas Peninsula, offers insights into marine life and local conservation.

Opened in June 2023, it is the first specialised centre in Cyprus devoted to protecting green and loggerhead turtles.

Smigie's Nature Trail

Nearby is the Smigies Nature Trail, starting from the Smigies picnic site near Neo Chorio. This 6.8–7 km loop provides stunning views of Lara Bay and Polis Chrysochous Bay. It offers a 2.5km short or 6km long, challenging route through pine forest and rocky terrain, featuring disused magnesium mines and exceptional panoramas of the peninsula.

Undoubtedly, Paphos comes with its own brand of Greek magic. The island may still be shared with Turkey – a dispute yet to be resolved following Operation Attila and the Turkish invasion of July 1974 - but, politics to one side, it made a great impression on me, as well as the ‘Queen of Latin Music’ , Shakira, who still keeps a home on the island!

But, whether or not one of the world’s great singing stars is in residence when you head for Paphos, rest assured, Aristos Diomedous will still be on hand to welcome you at the Asimina Suites Hotel, even though he’s still working without a contract more than 30 years on from when he first arrived at the property.

“We’re still open for business,” he called as I went to board the bus for the airport! A glass of Bollinger awaits!

FACT BOX
Philip Hopkins was guest of Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel and the Paphos Tourist Board. Prices for seven nights in June at the Asimina Suites Hotel start at £1399 per person for two people sharing a Junior Suite Land View on a bed and breakfast tariff.

Price based on a Gatwick departure, including 22Kg luggage allowance and private transfers. Available through Jet2Holidays www.jet2holidays.com. Jet2 also fly to Paphos out of regional airports including Manchester and Leeds Bradford.

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.

Details: www.Asimina-CBH.com. Tel UK sales office: 01924 380 160

www.visitcyprus.com
www.visitpafos.org.cy