THE SUITE SPOT
I went to the pretty winter sun island resort with prosecco hours and 35C summers
It hasn't rained on the island since April, and there's also ancient wonders to discover
WASHING down my breakfast with a glass of fizz I look towards the glimmering Mediterranean Sea which glows in the morning sun.
This really is five-star luxury.
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The icing on the cake is that the usual hotel hubbub of sugar-wired kids charging around does not exist here, just the gentle hum of grown-up chit chat and the soft clink of cutlery.
For me and my girlfriend, Monica, it is our first time at an adults-only hotel and Asimina Suites in Paphos, a true Cypriot paradise, was the ideal spot to experience it.
Most of our days are spent lying by the pool or beach, where a sense of tranquillity makes it all too easy to become buried in a good book.
And luckily here we don’t have to tear ourselves away from our sun lounger and our state of serenity when we fancy a tipple.
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The hotel’s roving team of waiters have an uncanny (and dangerous) knack of appearing whenever we were thirsty.
We’d made the smart decision to upgrade to the all-inclusive package for €36 each, so two margaritas are followed by two pina coladas, then two tequila sunrises and then two beers and so on.
When it’s time for food, we stumble to the outdoor beachfront restaurant where favourites such as fresh tuna, black angus steak, grilled lemon chicken, honeyed salmon and Greek salad are all being dished up.
Monica’s five-year stint as a vegetarian quickly ends, although she insists the rules don’t apply abroad.
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This beach restaurant is more of a lunch spot but another two great dining locations are included in the all-inclusive package for dinner: one is a buffet, the other an à la carte that you have to book a day in advance — and dress smart.
Make sure to head to the former on a Friday, AKA Cyprus Night, if you can as it is some spectacle.
Feasting on local cuisine, we watch traditional dancing, which involves one of the performers whirling a full glass of wine around his head without spilling a drop, and another balancing a stack of ten tumblers on his head while shouting “yamas”, the Greek word for cheers.
Then it’s our turn and, after some cajoling from the troupe, the whole restaurant is linking arms in a circle and kicking their legs in a jig.
Despite the excellent grub and dinner fun, our favourite part of the day here is undoubtedly 7-8pm, when prosecco and canapés are served on a veranda at sunset.
The dark orange sky above Paphos is breathtaking, and we stay right until the last of the sun disappears below the horizon.
It would be easy to spend our entire time at the hotel, but with Cyprus’ stunning landscape and rich history, we’d be mad not to explore.
So one day we embark on a guided tour starting in Paphos and then heading to the town’s archaeological park, a world heritage site, where the House of Dionysus and all its magnificent mosaics sit.
A quick drive up the coast and we are staring at an imposing sea stack jutting out of the foamy sea, which, according to legend, is the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite.
The lapping waves and mighty rock are an impressive sight to behold, although it’s not the best place for swimming due to the strong currents.
More ancient wonders later, and we end our tour with a visit to the Ktima Gerolemo winery in the mountainous village of Omodos.
The owner Harry insists we taste some of his favourites, which we duly oblige.
He fills our glasses with Cyrpus’ national drink, Commandaria, a sweet pudding wine and it slips down all too easily — especially in the scorching heat.
Paphos is punching 35C some days in summer and the staff say it has not rained since April and won’t again until October.
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But luckily for us, there’s only one thing left to do today . . . Head back to the hotel, roll onto a sunlounger and order another cocktail.
Yamas!
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GO: PAPHOS
GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ B&B at the 5* Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel in Paphos is from £969pp, based on two adults sharing and including flights from Gatwick on April 21 and private transfers.
This offer includes a 20 per cent discount.
Book by February 29. Call 01924 380 160 or see .
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