Avlida Hotel Review

Overall Rating

Had a good time at the Avlida Hotel in Paphos, considering the price paid. South Cyprus is expensive compared to other destinations, so you should compare it to other hotels there; not Turkey or the Greek islands. One weeks all inclusive for half term was a very good deal. I too looked at the ratings and the reviews on different websites, and I felt quite worried. But as we have been to Cyprus every year for the last 22, I consider myself an experienced traveller that should share his experiences and knowledge. I feel like I should make some things clear:

1. You will not find ANY hotel that gives tea and coffee making facilities for free. Some "good" five star hotels don't even have the facility available, even if you pay, but they have 24 hour room service. Which really means that you can't get a kettle, or buy your own tea bags and milk and make as much as you like, but have to pay around 3 pounds per cup each time. This happened to me at the Annabelle hotel.

2. I have not heard of any hotel that does not charge its AI customers for mini bar drinks. In fact, I was charged 6 pounds a day x 7 days = 42 pounds, because I had just managed to cram a bottle of water bought from a nearby supermarket in the small fridge we had in the room. I was told that I had transformed the minibar into a mini fridge by doing that, and therefore I was charged for renting a fridge and not keeping it as a minibar. And I wasn't told until check out. Did I make a fuss? Yes. Did I end up paying? Yes again. It was stated in the hotel directory. Am I happy about it? God no! The Avlida did not charge me for use of the minibar as a mini fridge, but beware: if you take something out to make room for your own things, put it back before the maids go to service your room.

3. The AI resorts that I have visited in the past (Phaethon and Askos Beach) operate in an almost entirely self service system with regards the bar drinks and snacks service. You will not manage to have drinks at your sunbed unless you get up and get it yourself. However, we were served properly at the Avlida.

4. If the hotel does not explicitly state that it is situated on the beach, then it is simply not on the beach. YOU WILL have to walk outside of the hotel gardens and outside of the hotel plot, maybe cross a road to get to the beach.

I feel that I am a very experienced traveller, and that all of the above can be confirmed by calling up the hotels mentioned or asking an honest travel agent to give you specific answers. With the above, I have to say that the Avlida has been more than OK for us. They charged reasonable prices for tea and coffee making facilities, they did not charge at all for using the mini bar, and the polite waitresses did their best and were mostly successful in giving quick table service and to our actual sunbeds. Our drinks were only moderately late on one or two occasions, but we had placed a large order as we were drinking with friends we made there.

The entertainment was about average overall. We watched a fashion show, which I am sure was meant to be purely for fun, I don't think anybody was expecting the latest clothes from Italian designers as seen on the catwalks of Milan. The Greek dancing night was not so interesting personally, but I have seen so many of them over the years, so it would probably be nice for someone that hasn't seen it too many times. There was an English lad that played the electric guitar one night, and he would do requests too, although he was probably better with rock songs.

The food was great. A previous reviewer said that lunch was not kept warm, which it was when I was there, as the metal "trays", or to be more precise, gastronorm pans, were placed over steaming hot water that was kept hot. The same happened in the dining room, with the hot lamp added. It is called a bains marie buffet with a wet-heat operation, and I would like to hear from anybody that has ever had a good buffet meal that was not like that. It is the standard way that a buffet works: heat lamp on top, boiling water underneath. Those amongst you that have done some basic cooking classes should know that food is served at around 70 - 75 degrees, any hotter and most dishes such as pasta or meat would either stick or melt, thus destroying the flavour.

The room was alright too. Clean, fresh towels, hot water, comfortable balcony, nice if moderate decoration, hairdryer, air conditioning and TV. Adequate space for our things.

Staff were very good at all times and at all positions. None of them seemed to be overworked, as they were quite happy and smiling.

The location is pretty good too. Not too far from anything, Kato Pafos and bar street, the golden sand beach of Coral Bay or the market. Tombs of the Kings is now developing too, and has its own nice bars and restaurants on both sides of the road.

As a closing point, try to be realistic about your expectations. The more you pay, the better you will get. Everything has its price.

Overall, I would say that we had good time at the Avlida, and at these or slightly higher prices we would be prepared to return. Enjoy your hols.

Members' Comments ondavelovescyprus's Review

• PrimeTime on 18th Sep 2007

  I think this is a helpful review because it's the truth, we read it before we went and its realistic.