This classy, 5* adults only hotel opened its doors on 23rd March 2019 and it really has the wow factor. It’s part of the Kanika Group of hotels, which includes the very popular Alexander the Great just next door.
We arrived a month after it opened and, while there were a few teething problems, which were to be expected, the hotel certainly lived up to our expectations.
We had booked a deluxe double room which is the cheapest option but we prefer single beds and this is the only option that provides this. If there was one drawback it was that these rooms are the only ones that do not come with a walk in shower which was slightly problematic for my husband. However, all rooms are sea facing and, having requested a high floor, we were given the top floor (4) and had terrific views across the sea to Paphos harbour and the castle.
The balconies are a good size, as are the rooms; the beds are extremely comfortable; there is a safe, a minibar, a kettle, a coffee maker, and a good supply of milk, tea, coffee pods and water topped up each day. The rooms also benefit from key pads on the walls by the beds and the entrance door enabling us to regulate the temperature of the room, open the curtains and turn on/off the lights.
It was pretty cool to be taken to our room and to have the curtains slide silently open as we entered! There is a jewellery box located in the dressing table and with two wardrobes and plenty of drawer space there was ample storage – and luckily I’d also taken some spare plastic hangars!
Call me old-fashioned but I’ve never quite got my head around a bathroom with a glass wall so we used the blind to provide privacy. The bathroom was well equipped with plenty of shelf space for our own toiletries, two sinks and good quality complimentary toiletries. The shower over the bath was powerful and had the option of a waterfall or a hand-held shower head.
We like to tip our maids every few days and they never failed to top up our coffee and tea, and gave us plenty of bottled water and clean towels, as did the night-time turn-down staff.
The hotel offers a half board plus which includes drinks with the evening meals. We could have as many soft drinks as we wanted, including water, and a bottle of wine between us, or two glasses of wine or two bottles of lager each. Some of the wines in the package were so good we hired a car and visited this boutique winery, Tsangarides, in the village of Lemona. It was a forty minute drive on good roads and we enjoyed a wine tasting session sitting on a very pleasant terrace in the prettiest countryside. We figured we could bring back just two bottles in our suitcases but it only cost us fifteen euros for the two!
In the main restaurant (Ezaria) the food was exceptionally good – at breakfast and at dinner. My husband was sticking with his Slimming World diet (he only put on 1lb in two weeks!) and he had no difficulty finding plenty of food to satisfy him. The chef was also willing to discuss and accommodate special diets and we were particularly impressed with the care given to a diabetic guest we met there.
The hotel also has three a la carte restaurants which we could visit once a week. The Nocturne has a fine dining taster menu and we especially enjoyed the Greek restaurant, Fort o Lana. We were quite honoured to be the very first guests to use the Immenso which opened just before we left. This is located on the roof on the fifth floor, with amazing views – especially for watching the sunset – and the food is pan-Asian. Quite delicious.
There was a delay in the opening of the restaurant because of the windy weather and, along with six other guests (all from the UK) we braved the breeze and were all wrapped up in shawls by the staff – who were freezing! Please don’t let that put you off. We were there at the beginning of the season and I’m sure that it will be amazing on warmer, still nights.
The dress code for dining seemed a little unusual to us. In the Ezaria the code was casual so men, as well as women, could wear shorts, which is only fair in my humble opinion. The a la carte restaurants asked for smart casual, including long trousers, long-sleeved shirts and enclosed shoes for men. My husband only came with short-sleeved shirts, as did many of the male guests, and the hotel was fine with that, although one man was asked to change his t-shirt and put a shirt on.
The only entertainment available is in the swish cocktail lounge – and the cocktails are amazing – but it also meant we could sit anywhere else and enjoy a quiet conversation.
The hotel has three pools: the Saffire is the larger of the two – though none of them is too deep – and the Evira outdoor has a spa-like effect with waterfalls and back massagers. The indoor pool, also called Evira, is very calming with soft music and a sauna and steam room. We didn’t get around to trying the spa or the gym but they both looked very good. We preferred to sit near the Evira as it avoided the piped music around the Saffire pool – although even there it wasn’t as loud as many other hotels.
The hotel was only half full while we were there but they have plenty of sunbeds. The pool staff let you choose where you want to sit and bring towels for you. The sunbeds are wider than average and very comfortable. The staff also come around with water, fruit kebabs and smoothies during the day and there is a pool bar for drinks and snacks.
The hotel overlooks a delightful, public beach and it’s lovely for a swim as the water is gently shelving.
As far as we could tell, the hotel was good for disabled guests except perhaps if they need help to get in the pools (no hoists). But, as I mentioned earlier, a walk in shower requires booking a higher spec room/suite though I’m ashamed to admit I forgot to ask if they actually offered disabled rooms. The lifts gave access to all indoor areas and there is good access outside onto the public footpath leading to the harbour.
I’ve already written far too much so I’ll skip the bit about the very special Easter celebration and maybe do it later. But I cannot finish without a special mention for the hotel staff. They are exceptional – all of them! They are so proud of their hotel, so well trained and professional and they spoil their guests with enthusiasm. Kelly and the girls on the guest services desk will help you with absolutely anything you need and they are, without question the happiest, friendliest staff you could wish for.
Efharisto (thank you) Amavi!
Their website is also very helpful. https://www.amavihotel.com/
