I returned from a solo holiday to the Alexander the Great Beach Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus, three weeks ago and have already booked again for next April. This 4*+ hotel is my favourite in 60 years of travelling, alone, with family or with friends. Ideally situated on Paphos Bay, it is separated from the sea only by a pedestrian/cyclist path, along which a half-hour walk takes you into the town itself, between hotel gardens, cafes and shops on one side, and small, clean beaches separated by rocky sea walls on the other.
That is, if you can tear yourself away from the hotel and its superb facilities, immaculate pools, luxury spa, and restaurants that make you glad you opted for full or half board. The food is superb and the staff delightful. Saga do a generous all-inclusive, at the four specialist restaurants, Greek, Italian, pan-Asian and Mediterranean, or the two buffets, which themselves have theme nights. With 5 silver traveller friends this was an ideal choice with tea, coffee and unlimited drinks available at all times, plus the services of a competent and friendly rep, a Cypriot himself and knowledgeable about his island.
But being alone the second time (family or health problems to blame), I opted for Jet2’s half-board + and enjoyed lunches at the on-site or nearby cafes. Excursions can be booked via the hotel or nearby agencies, but I’ve already seen much of Cyprus, and was happy to spend the (very hot) days swimming, spa treatments, reading, a few gentle strolls, chatting to fellow guests.All the managers are approachable, and seen around the hotel, setting a high standard of service.
The hotel has a unique system of sunbed/parasol reservation, where you choose your spot on arrival and keep that place throughout the holiday, unless you ask for a change later on. No early-morning dash to grab a sunbed! This alone makes for a relaxed atmosphere, which is key to the Alexander’s attraction. There are a few babies and toddlers in and around the pools, with their young parents, but inflatables etc are not allowed and the children in my own family would be somewhat bored: the sister Kanika hotel Olympic Lagoon, half a mile along the coast is an ideal family choice, with the same high standards. I did a thorough inspection!
For mature travellers, I can’t recommend the Alexander highly enough and I can understand why my sun-longer neighbours go twice a year. As they said.”Why go anywhere else when this is perfection”
