Apollonia Hotel Apartments

A family-run aparthotel in the centre of Paphos City, Apollonia Hotel Apartments suits divers who prefer a proper living space to a standard hotel room. You get privacy, a kitchen and room to spread out, while the pool, gardens and nearby town keep the evening pleasantly uncomplicated.

The atmosphere is personal rather than formal. The owners live within the complex and are available around the clock, while the reception desk operates during the day. That matters when a delayed flight, a late return or a sudden need for local advice turns up at an inconvenient hour.

There is also enough practical comfort for a longer stay: daily housekeeping, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, air conditioning, private parking and apartments with balconies, terraces or views towards the garden, pool or inner courtyard. In other words, a base for living in Paphos, not merely somewhere to leave a suitcase.

You are in Kato Paphos, at 20 Ikarou Street, in the built-up part of Paphos City rather than in an isolated resort compound. The promenade, cafés, bars, shops and everyday services are all within walking distance, so you can leave the car where it is and go looking for dinner on foot.

The coast is close enough for a post-dive stroll. Paphos Municipal Baths are about 0.4 miles away on foot, Vrisoudia Beach about 0.5 miles, and SODAP Beach about 0.7 miles. Pachyammos and Lighthouse Beach are farther along the coast, each roughly 1.2 miles away on foot. The hotel itself is within walking distance of the beaches, but it is not a beach-front address; bring sandals and enjoy the promenade.

History is part of the neighbourhood rather than a day-trip obligation. St Paul’s Pillar is about 0.4 miles away on foot, while Paphos Archaeological Park is roughly 0.9 miles away. The Medieval Castle of Paphos, Saranda Kolones Castle and the harbour sit along the same wider waterfront area, with the old stones doing their best to compete with the sunset.

The studios are the straightforward choice for two divers travelling light enough to share a living space, with a super-king-size bed in the Superior Studio and a fully equipped kitchen for breakfast, snacks or the occasional meal when restaurant decisions have become too ambitious. A ground-floor studio with terrace gives you outdoor space without relying on a balcony.

For a couple who wants to separate sleeping from sitting, or for a small group, the One-Bedroom Superior Apartment makes more sense. The Two-Bedroom Family Apartment is the practical pick for up to five guests, giving everyone more room to change, unpack and recover without turning the living area into a drying room for ordinary holiday clothing. Family apartments also come with the useful basics of a home kitchen: oven, hob, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, kettle, coffee machine and dining table.

At night, air conditioning takes the edge off a hot Cypriot day, while a ceiling fan offers another way to keep the air moving. Soundproofing, extra-long beds, private bathrooms and daily housekeeping add the unglamorous details that become rather important when you have been awake early for a dive. Quiet hours run from 20:00 to 09:00, and there are no extra beds available; cots depend on the accommodation selected.

This is an apartment stay, so the kitchen is part of the answer. You can keep chilled water and breakfast supplies in the refrigerator, make coffee before heading out, and put together something substantial when a post-dive appetite arrives at the wrong time for a restaurant. The nearby supermarket is about 0.1 miles away, and a laundrette is at a similar distance for the less glamorous side of a diving holiday.

At the pool, the Honesty Pool Bar is the hotel’s single bar. It is self-service: take what you want and settle it later, with drinks, wines and snacks available. Coffee, tea and chilled water are complimentary, which is exactly the sort of detail that earns its keep beside a sunny pool.

Breakfast is not included, and there is no set half-board formula. Snacking is available, while Paphos supplies the wider evening menu: cafés, bars and restaurants sit around the harbour and promenade. You can eat locally, cook in the apartment or do the sensible thing and alternate between the two.

The main pool sits among green gardens with sunbeds and umbrellas, giving you somewhere to cool down without having to make an excursion of it. A covered circular children’s pool is beside the main pool, and pool toys are available. The gardens, terraces and outdoor seating are made for the quieter part of the day, when the only serious decision is whether to move into the shade.

There is gym equipment next to the pool for anyone determined to keep moving between dives. Massage treatments cover the back, neck, feet, head, hands and whole body, so you can book something more purposeful than a lie-down with a towel over your face.

For a day away from the water, the hotel can arrange excursions including boat trips, jeep safaris, village visits, trips to the Troodos Mountains and visits to archaeological sites. Cycling, hiking, horse riding, fishing, snorkelling and water-park visits are also available away from the property. Kings Avenue Mall is about a 15-minute walk away, with shops, a cinema and dining if the weather turns too bright for archaeology.

Paphos International Airport is about 6 miles from the apartments. The transfer takes around 20 to 30 minutes, and an airport shuttle can be arranged with the hotel. Car hire is available, while free private parking is on site and does not require a reservation. That gives you a choice between a car-based island itinerary and a largely walkable stay in Kato Paphos.

Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is by 12:00. The reception desk is open from 07:00 to 19:00, with the owners on call 24 hours a day. Tell the property your expected arrival time, particularly if your flight lands late. Early check-in and late check-out can be requested.

Smoking is not allowed in the apartments, parties are not permitted and quiet hours run from 20:00 to 09:00. Children of all ages are welcome, although guests aged 13 and above are treated as adults for occupancy purposes. Pets can stay on request. Cash is an accepted payment method.