We stayed at the Atlantica Golden Beach for one weeks all inclusive stay at the beginning of April. The weather was cold at first but became warmer as the week went on. The hotel is on the main road between Paphos and Coral Bay, there is nothing around it, except a couple of restaurants opposite and one small shop. We did not visit the restaurants due to staying all inclusive. There is also a small beach cafe next to the hotel at the back. There really is nowhere to walk in the day or evening as the road does not have a path and the driving along it is erratic. There is a good bus service from outside the hotel, going to Paphos one way and Golden Bay the other, it cost 2 euros for a day pass that can be used on all buses, and drops off at the terminal in Paphos where you can get on any bus there. The hotel grounds are well cared for with sun beds down to the beach I say beach but it is not really one, as the coastline is very rocky whith a small strip of shingle.. There is a nice swimming pool designed to look like a beach with a whirlpool. There is also an indoor pool which I was told is not heated. Sun beds surround the outdoor pool and here lies the problem with early risers laying their towels on them and staying for the rest of the day. There is also a lot of smokers around the pool and bar, and no designated area so non smokers have to suffer. There is usually an afternoon quiz and games such as shuffle board and bowls. Rooms very clean and the housekeeper works hard to keep it that way. There is an extra charge for the use of the safe and the fridge. We had tea and coffee making facilities which is topped up daily. Widescreen TV but not a lot in English. Beds although very new are slightly on the hard side, and air con doesn't start until May, this made sleeping difficult as we could not leave our balcony door open as we were on the ground floor, and there was a lot of cats about. Food was plentiful and a large variety with salads, roasts and hot local dishes although all meals are buffet We were given a voucher for an al a carte meal, which apparently costs 19 euros each, but we were very disappointed with the meal, as my salmon was dried up and overcooked and my husbands beef was tough. We would not have paid for this meal as the food in the restaurant was better. Wine was house wine and not the best. Shows are put on nightly. This is advertised by Thomson as an adult only hotel, but it is not. Although most people that stay there are British and elderly,but there are some German visitors who it seems are allowed to bring children, although I am not against this and there was no problem it seems unfair that Thomson advertise the hotel as adult only when it is not. Staff are very helpful and polite. Transfers were prompt, but it is about 30-45 minutes from the airport. For days out the hotel provides picnic boxes which are more than adequate with two lots of different sandwiches, drinks, crisps, cake, fruit, tomatoes and cucumbers, you can also have hot drinks in flasks. Although we enjoyed the holiday it is not cheap and would not go back again, as we got slightly bored as with no where to walk and sitting with smokers. Although this is a Thomson Gold hotel I would not rate it as such and have stayed in better Thomson hotels for less than we paid there.
