Aphrodite Hills Golf & Spa Resort Residences

Aphrodite Hills Golf & Spa Resort Residences refers to the vacation rentals housed on the large Aphrodite Hills resort, spread out over 632 hilly acres full of mature olive and carob trees nestled along an 18-hole golf course that's set to become Cyprus's first PGA National Course at some point in 2018. Along with a number of privately owned villas (some of which are rented out through Aphrodite Hills, others are full-time residences), there are six blocks of apartments and suites managed by the same company. The resort complex is also home to a separately managed hotel, Sensatori Resort Aphrodite Hills. The resort features a main golf club house, an adjacent Village Square with restaurants and a spa, and a series of condos and larger villas, spread out over many miles. Some of the hilltops offer amazing sea and valley views. It's a quiet space overall, though planes do frequently fly overhead on their way in and out of the Paphos Airport and can be noisy. The property attracts a variety of guests, primarily from the United Kingdom, and most of whom stay for about a week or two. During the summer vacation, the property gets plenty of families, while low season attracts a steady stream of golfers and tennis aficionados (attracted by the resort's tennis school). Note that because it's such a large property, those staying in some of the villas may want a rental car, but the apartment complexes are within walking distance of the Village Square and clubhouse. 

Aphrodite Hills Golf & Spa Resort Residences is spread out over an expansive hilltop, just southeast of Paphos on the main A6 motorway that traverses the southwestern reaches of the island before turning into the A1 around Limassol (a half-hour drive away). The nearest airport in Paphos is a 15-minute drive, though there are considerably more flight options in Larnaca, about an hour and 20 minutes away by car. The nearest site of interest is Aphrodite's Rock, a small sandy beach area that looks out over a rock outcrop where the legendary goddess of love is believed to have emerged from the sea -- it's only a three-minute drive from the resort's main entrance. Archaeological sites in the area include the Paphos Archaeological Park and the Hellenistic Tomb of the Kings, both about a half-hour from the resort by car. Cyprus's capital city of Nicosia takes 90 minutes to reach by car, traffic permitting. 

This resort offers villas and apartments in a range of sizes and configurations. Decor varies a fair bit across room types, but all come with -- at a minimum -- free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, fully equipped kitchens, and balconies or terraces. About half of the units are either Apartments or semi-detached Junior Villas with up to three bedrooms. Both types are situated in apartment complex-style blocks with communal swimming pools and children's pools in all but one complex. The Junior Villas feature much nicer decor and extras such as dishwashers (some also have their own plunge pools). The property offers a number of house-like Superior Villas with two to five bedrooms, and bathrooms with shower/tub combos and double sinks. Homes marketed as Elite Villas tend to be larger and add perks such as private pools, while the top-of-the-line Mythos Villas are even nicer and include daily breakfast delivery, free limo transfers to and from the airport, and generally more impressive decor and views -- one even has its own gym. Most of the units offer maid service every three days, though it's daily for Mythos guests.  

The heart of resort life takes place at the Village Square, which features a number of restaurants frequented both by hotel guests and those staying in the numerous vacation rentals on the resort's property. Options include Zimi Trattoria for Italian food, a beer garden, a Costa Coffee, a Haagen-Dazs, a kebab restaurant, and an Indian restaurant. Half-board dining options are available, with a dine-around allowing guests to try a different spot every night. Breakfast can be delivered to villas for a fee (free for Mythos guests); otherwise, it's served at the clubhouse. Other food amenities include a supermarket with a bakery and all sorts of souvenirs. Note that at the time of our 2017 visit, there were plans in the works to build a dedicated reception area for Residences guests, where breakfast would also be served. There's a glorious spa -- The Retreat -- complete with its own mini-spa for kids (with manicures and simple treatments), well-equipped gym, tepidarium, juice bar, and gorgeous infinity pool. Note that the fitness center and gym is available to all for a reasonable daily fee, but guests staying in Mythos Collection and Elite villas can access it for free. Along with an 18-hole golf course (under renovation until 2018, when its slated to become the first PGA National Course in the country), there's a tennis academy for children and adults, with nine floodlit courts (five hard and four clay). There's also a soccer school for kids, along with a kids' club for children ages 3 through 12, and a creche for babies and toddlers. Horseback riding lessons and bike rentals are also available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort. Parking is free.