Aliathon Resort

The sprawling Aliathon Holiday Village is filled with traditional Greek Island-style buildings in shades of white, sand, and pink, as well as gorgeous bougainvillea and citrus trees. Rooms are split amongst two villages -- Fishing and Aegean -- with the former housing the kid-oriented amenities and the latter being the more peaceful area. Aquamarine-tinted pools surrounded by blue loungers and umbrellas create bright pops of color amid the natural landscape. Inside the pretty, contemporary lobby, flagstone floors, whitewashed walls, and wood-framed windows make for tastefully simple design accents that complement sofas and chairs in beachy shades of blue, gray, and sand. Throughout the public spaces, there's a noticeable absence of knickknacks and breakable objects, a wise design choice considering the number of guests with young kids. Though some couples do stay at the hotel, it's geared toward families and the abundance of playing children are not conducive to romantic getaways.

The resort is situated in the resort town of Kato Paphos, a UNESCO cultural heritage site on the southwest coast of Cyprus. Greco-Roman ruins dot the area, including the remains of the Roman governor's palace and the Paphos Archaeological Park, both within a 10-minute drive of the hotel. Though there's a beach just a five-minute walk from the hotel, it's owned by other hotels; guests will have to walk about 15 minutes to reach the nearest public beach where loungers and umbrellas can be rented. It's about a 30-minute walk to the shops and restaurants near the harbor. Paphos International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car.

Aliathon Holiday Village includes a total of 329 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment-style accommodations spread amongst two villages. All are spacious and contemporary -- featuring white-tile floors, wooden or wrought-iron furniture, and neutral-tone decor with pops of blue and orange. Rooms in the Aegean Village are housed in whitewashed buildings and best suited to travelers seeking a more relaxing getaway; this area also includes 16 swim-up suites. Even more spacious accommodations in the Fishing Village are geared toward families, and include Deluxe Two-Bedroom Apartments that sleep up to six. All rooms include air-conditioning, small flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and safes (for a fee). Kitchenettes come with two-burner stoves, mini-fridges, electric kettles, microwaves, and cooking utensils. Rooms also have either balconies or terraces with tables and loungers. Bathrooms are modern and come equipped with either shower/tub combos or glass-enclosed showers and hairdryers.

Facilities at the hotel are overwhelmingly geared toward families with children. Firstly, there are four outdoor pools, including a huge 3,000-meter (9,843-foot) freeform pool surrounded by loungers and umbrellas. A standout is the mini water park that has slides, a pirate ship, and other water jet features. Adjacent to this are a playground and indoor kids' club. An activities team also lead children and adults with various games throughout the day and into the night. There are also a lagoon pool and quieter adult pool.

A supervised rope-climbing park is the highlight of the outdoor athletic facilities, which also includes two bowling green courts, an archery range, and a floodlit tennis court. Indoors, there's a large fitness room with dated cardio equipment and weights, an indoor swimming pool, and spa with a steam room, sauna and treatment rooms. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

Dining-wise, guests can choose from room only, bed-and-breakfast, half-board, or an extensive all-inclusive option. The main restaurant, Pantheon, serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a contemporary (if a bit plain) space with both indoor and outdoor seating. There are also a Mexican, Italian, and two Greek eateries available. There are also a snack bar, plus several pool bars and nightclubs serving snacks, drinks, and cocktails. There's also an adjacent (resort-owned) shopping plaza with a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars.