Reviewed: Jet2 Holidays, Paphos, Cyprus staying at the Amavi Hotel, Paphos. This luxury couples’ 5* hotel in Paphos is perfect if you’re looking for a holiday in Cyprus to relax, revitalise and reconnect…
Jet2 Holidays, Paphos, Cyprus
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When we set off on our Jet2 Holiday to Paphos, Cyprus, little did we know that perfect peace and relaxation awaited. After a fabulous five nights staying at the couples only Amavi Hotel and time spent exploring Paphos we arrived back home feeling relaxed, revitalised and reconnected.
Read on for my review of Jet2 Holidays Paphos, the Amavi Hotel and a fabulous holiday in Paphos, Cyprus…
The Flight from Stansted
We flew from Stansted airport, our nearest departure point for our package holiday. Jet2.com fly to 42 destinations from Stansted. I’ve flown with them before, to Menorca, and was just as impressed with the airline this time round.
There was only a short queue at check-in and the Jet2 staff were really helpful with our baggage. Jet2 has a generous 22 kg luggage allowance plus 10 kg of hand luggage. We dropped our bags and headed through security. Jet2 flights don’t depart at silly o’clock. Our flight was at a decent 9.20 a.m. so we decided to breakfast at the airport instead of waiting to eat on-board.
Our flight was busy as it was during the Easter holidays but the service was efficient and friendly. The flight went smoothly, we had plenty of leg-room and I even managed a nap. The flight is usually 4.5 hours but we landed in Cyprus 20 minutes early. There was no hanging around and our luggage came off the carousel quickly.
Jet2 Transfers
After coming through Paphos Airport arrivals we were welcomed to Cyprus by a smiley Jet2 rep who directed us to our coach transfer just a few steps away. We were handed a Jet2 pack with all the information needed for our stay.
Transfer time was around 40-minutes after dropping off guests at five other hotels. I haven’t been on a package holiday for years and I loved just how relaxed and easy everything was. A fabulous start to our Paphos holiday.
The Amavi Hotel, Paphos
As soon as we stepped inside the Amavi I knew it was going to be special. the Amavi Hotel is a brand new 5* hotel in Paphos located next to a small blue flag beach to the East of Paphos Harbour. It’s part of the Kanika Hotels and Resorts group.
Book your own indulgent escape at the Amavi couples hotel
The huge lounge where reception is located is gorgeous and smelt delicious with the hotel signature scent. The light, airy, contemporary hotel is a couples only property with everything ‘made for two’ and focused on togetherness.
The hotel welcomes all combinations of adult couples from old marrieds like me and Mr Jones to same sex couples, mothers and daughters or adult friends. Much as I love children, I loved not having any around at the Amavi. It meant everything stayed chilled, calm and very zen-like.
This was our first stay at a couples’ hotel. We loved it and came back home totally relaxed having spent some quality, stress-free time in a beautiful environment.
>>>Check rates and availability at the Amavi Hotel Paphos
Our Room at the Amavi
We stayed in a Deluxe Sea View room which is the hotel’s standard-size room and had fabulous views of the Mediterranean which made me very happy. Regular readers will know I’m happiest by the sea.
The room was a good size with two wardrobes (more hangers please), drawer space, a dressing table, bedside cabinets and a huge comfortable bed with a choice of two types of pillow. A sofa sat facing the large flat-screen TV and there was also a coffee table. Décor was cool, calm and stylish with a splashes of turquoise and purple.
>>>Check rates and availability at the Amavi Hotel Paphos
Tea and coffee making facilities and a Nespresso machine are included, which is great because we like a cuppa in the morning before facing the world. A fully-stocked mini-bar is also in the room and bottled water is provided on day one. Although I feel that water should be provided daily in the room in a 5* property.
Plug sockets are both UK three-pin and European two-pin style together with USB charging points. An electronic, easy to use, touch-panel by the bed controls the drapes and individual lights. Sockets and USB ports were also handily located by the bed.
We were impressed that the state-of-the-art technology allowed staff to know if anything was not working in the room or if your ‘do not disturb’ or ‘clean the room’ buttons were activated. The room was also air-conditioned. An electronic safe is included and there’s an iron and ironing-board in the wardrobe.
The Bathroom
The bathroom, with huge window overlooking the bedroom, had a large bathtub with hand-held shower and rainforest shower. In case you’re wondering, a screen can be lowered electronically if you’d prefer some bathroom privacy. There are double basins, magnifying mirror and razor point. We liked the natural shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and soap – all untested on animals with a luxurious feel and scent.
Plenty of luxuriously white fluffy towels were provided along with soft towelling bathrobes. I loved that one pair of slippers came in a smaller size. Don’t you just hate flapping around hotel rooms in mens’ slippers.
Our Balcony
Our balcony had large comfy chairs and foot stool which were perfect for relaxing and putting our feet up. We spent time early each evening chilling on our balcony and watching the sun set behind Paphos Fort.
Our balcony views…
All 126 rooms and suites in the Amavi have uninterrupted sea views and a terrace or balcony. There are fourteen cabana rooms which have private plunge pools and there are one or two junior suites and, of course, a honeymoon suite. The Amavi has six accessible rooms with all facilities and restaurants accessible by lift.
>>>Read more..Fifteen Fabulous things to do in Paphos
Dining at the Amavi
There are four restaurants to tempt you at the Amavi.
The Nocturne
Theodor Falser, Italian Michelin chef compiled the exquisite tasting menus (these are rotated every few weeks). We were welcomed with an American Sour cocktail followed by an amuse bouche and six course taster menu including Hand Cut Tuna, Warm handmade Taglierini, Cacao Potato Gnocchi, sorbet and Crispy Veal Cup followed by dessert and digestive.
The flavours and taste combinations were superb and pianist set the scene perfectly. Sadly it was too dark to take any photos of the food.
The Ezaria
The Ezaria is the main all-day dining restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner with an indoor area and terrace. The breakfast buffet seemed to go on forever with live cooking stations and a massive choice from continental cheeses and meats, fruit, yoghurts and smoothies and a range of breads and pastries.
Tea, coffee and juice is ordered from your waiter along with items from the a la carte menu which is freshly cooked to order like poached or fried eggs, omelettes and bacon. The buffet has a huge range of other breakfast goodies like scrambled eggs, sausages, tomatoes, baked beans, fritata and pancakes and waffles.
We didn’t know where to start and tended to skip lunch because we’d filled up so much at breakfast! I usually stick to the same breakfast when I’m away. Fruit followed by a small omelette or poached eggs.
>>> Check rates and availability at the Amavi Hotel
For lunch there’s either a buffet option or, when the hotel is quieter, an a la carte lunch menu to choose from.
Evening dining in the Ezaria is themed and always starts with a welcome drink. We enjoyed Cypriot, Italian and Indian food along with a carvery.
Two other restaurants at the Amavi are seasonal and open from May to October so we didn’t get a chance to eat in them because we stayed in April.
The Immenso is an outdoor roof garden restaurant serving Pan Asian food. Its a la carte menu offers grilled premium cuts of meat, sushi and sashimi. The Fort O Lana is set in the hotel gardens near to the beach and serves traditional local dishes with a contemporary twist.
>>>Check rates and availability at the Amavi Hotel Paphos
The Fort O Lana
Dine Around Gastronomy
Dine-around gastronomy on half-board premium plus at the Amavi includes three a la carte meals a week in each of the themed restaurants. This is great because guests can enjoy a good balance of buffet-style plus fine dining and waiter service.
Meals include an aperitif, a premium bottle of wine per table or two beers per person. Soft drinks, mineral water and juice are unlimited. We enjoyed some very good wines during our stay including some Cypriot organic wine from the extensive wine list. In the a la carte restaurants the meal is rounded off nicely with a premium digestive and coffee or tea.
Amavi Bars
The sexy Serene Bar, which is open in the evenings, is the perfect place to watch the mixologists concoct amazing cocktails. We sipped them as we listened to the entertainment.
The Lounge Bar and café is the place to go for a relaxing drink, pastries or afternoon tea. Both the terrace and lounge itself have fabulous views over the sea.
Finally, there’s the Saffire pool bar which serves drinks and snacks. The swim-up bar means you can order without having to leave the water or, if you prefer, waiter service will bring your order directly to your sun bed.
Read more: 15 Fabulous things to do in Paphos
The Amavi Pools
There are two outdoor pools at the Amavi. The main Saffire Pool is an infinity-style pool with views out to sea surrounded by landscaped gardens with large comfy sun beds and parasols. We liked that on some tables between each bed was a drawer with a combination lock for storing valuables and space for an ice bucket.
The smaller Evera Outdoor Pool focuses on relaxation and is surrounded by lush planting with spa-type water features including whirlpools and back massagers.
More sun beds and parasols face the sea on the lawns and hotel gardens. A drinks and snack service is available around the pools and lawns. A complimentary sorbet is brought round each afternoon which is a nice, and refreshing, touch.
Spa and Wellness
The third pool at the Amavi is the heated indoor pool in the Evera Spa. There’s also a sauna, steam-room and relaxation room. A range of spa treatments from facials to massages and beauty treatments are available in one of three treatment rooms.
I visited the spa for an Amavi Signature Massage. The 55-minute massage was blissful although Kristina managed to find a few knots in my back which she expertly untied. I felt totally relaxed and almost fell asleep during the massage which started with a foot salt-scrub.
The Spa uses Natural Spa Factory products from an English company based in Bath. The products are all natural and are not tested on animals. I left feeling very relaxed and my skin soft and hydrated
Next door to the Evera spa is a hair salon and a small fitness room. There’s also a tennis court at the hotel.
The Amavi Staff
I don’t usually do this but I’m giving the staff a separate paragraph to themselves because they were so, so good! The service at the Amavi is excellent. From the porters, to the restaurant staff to the chefs and upper management, everyone was exceptional.
The staff are friendly and chatty but not overly so. They couldn’t have done more to ensure that we were completely happy during our stay. Loads of little details, like our preferences for breakfast drinks to how we preferred our eggs cooked were remembered. The devil’s in the detail and the staff at the Amavi nailed it.
Read more... Fifteen Fabulous things to do in Paphos
Location
Step out of the hotel and the harbour lined with restaurants and bars is a pleasant fifteen minute stroll along the beachfront. Walk a little further and you’ll discover the many sights of Paphos. We visited Hrysopolitissa Basilica and St. Paul’s Pillar, Paphos Fort and the Tombs of the Kings. The House of Dionysus is home to some of the best preserved mosaics in the Mediterranean.
We had intended to hire a car and see a little more of Cyprus but we loved being in the hotel so much that we wanted to spend as much time there as possible. There was a lot to see in Paphos and it was all within walking distance so we just explored locally.
Read more about the best things to do in Paphos.
In resort check-in with Jet2
Our rep, Karen, dropped into the hotel most days at a set time to check that everything was going smoothly. We could book tours through her, check our return airport transfer times and ask any other questions we had.
In-resort check in is such a bonus! On the morning of our departure we checked our luggage in at the hotel at a special Jet2 check-in desk. Times of the luggage check-in were advised a couple of days before by a message delivered to our room.
Our luggage was then transported ahead of us to the airport and we didn’t see it again until we reached the baggage carousel at Stansted. It’s details like this that made flying with Jet2 so easy and hassle-free. It’s also probably one of the reasons Jet2 is the best-rated airline in Europe according to TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.
Our Jet2 Holiday to Paphos – The Details
We flew with Jet2.com from London Stansted airport to Paphos airport in Cyprus.
Our flights included 1 x 22kg checked bag and 1 x 10kg hand luggage bag per person.
Hotel transfers were included
We stayed at the Amavi Hotel, a 5* couples hotel in Paphos in a deluxe sea view room on a full-board plus basis. If we were to go back we’d probably go half-board as we only had a couple of lunches – we were too full from breakfast most days!
In-resort check in was provided for our return flight.
Would I recommend the Jet2 Holidays Paphos Cyprus package holiday? Absolutely, I’d go back again in a heartbeat. If you’re looking for a couples holiday to reconnect, relax and revitalise, this is it.
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Suzanne Jones is a full-time travel blogger and writer at The Travelbunny which she started in 2011 during her time as a professional travel planner. Suzanne enjoys exploring new destinations, culinary encounters and the outdoors. When not travelling or writing about her adventures you’ll most likely find Suzanne, camera in hand, enjoying coastal walks in Sussex.
Suzanne also runs Hello Sussex a website which showcases the best of East & West Sussex. Read more about Suzanne here…
Jaillan Yehia
Wednesday 1st of May 2019
Ok two things spring to mind here: firstly I have travelled with Jet2 twice and I have to agree that the experience was excellent. I couldn't believe that package holidays could be so fun, and the service could be so cheerful on a plane! I have been raving about it ever since.
And second, I have been to Paphos and thought I'd discovered the stylish side of it, but what I did was nothing compared to this!
Suzanne Jones
Wednesday 1st of May 2019
Every time I've flown with Jet2 it's been great both at the airport and in-flight. I don't remember the last time I went on a package holiday, it was so nice to have everything taken care of. The Amavi is a brand new hotel, it's only been open about six weeks. Very special :)
Kathryn Burrington
Wednesday 1st of May 2019
In resort check-in! What a great idea. The whole trip sounds wonderful though from the moment you step on the plane. The hotel looks dreamy too. Would love to stay there and I've never been to Cyrpus.
Suzanne Jones
Wednesday 1st of May 2019
In resort check-in was fabulous and we just breezed through the airport on our trip back home! We loved our trip, Jet2 was slick and easy, the hotel was amazing and Paphos was full of surprises. Doesn't get much better!
Sally Akins
Tuesday 30th of April 2019
This hotel looks absolutely fab and the food looks amazing. It sounds the perfect place for getting away from it all!
Suzanne Jones
Tuesday 30th of April 2019
It was gorgeous Sally. We'd planned on hiring a car for a day but decided to stay in the hotel and enjoy it instead. We didn't want to miss a minute there!