Kefalos Beach Tourist Village

Kefalos Beach Tourist Village is a mid-range apartment resort that caters primarily to families and older couples on a budget. Spread out over 30,000 square meters (7.4 acres), this property is unusual in that although it offers apartments rather than hotel rooms, it still features many of the facilities and amenities common to traditional resorts. Many of the common areas have views out over the lighthouse but overall decor is nothing special, and the dark lobby in particular, with its old, worn furniture, is in desperate need of a makeover. Most guests opt to linger here in favor of the much nicer pool area, with lovely views over the simple adjacent beach and lots of lounge chairs.

Kefalos Beach Tourist Village is located overlooking the sea, just north of the center of Paphos, on the road that leads up to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Tomb of the Kings (a three-minute drive or 13-minute walk away). It's about a seven-minute drive or 22-minute walk to the Paphos Archaeological Park, which features a number of ancient attractions, including the Paphos Mosaics. Lighthouse Beach is a seven-minute walk away. Kings Avenue Mall, a two-story shopping complex with lots of international brands plus a cinema, an arcade, a kids' play area, and a food court with a few American fast food joints and British sushi and coffee chains takes 15 minutes to reach on foot or four minutes by car. The Adonis Baths waterfalls are a half-hour drive from the hotel and it takes about 90 minutes to reach Mount Olympos. Nicosia is a two-hour drive away. Paphos International Airport is 20 minutes from the hotel. The larger Larnaca International Airport takes 90 minutes or so to reach.

This hotel offers a huge range of apartment types, from Inland View Studios, clear up to Three-Bedroom Apartments and Sea View Villas each with their own private pool. Decor is simple, and bordering dated in some cases, with tile floors and a few basic art prints on the walls, plus medium or dark-wood tables, chairs, and sofas. All units feature balconies or terraces with patio furniture and kitchenettes or kitchens with, at a minimum, ovens, stoves, toasters, and microwaves. Other features include heat and air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite cable, and safes (for a fee). Most units also have sofa beds. Bathrooms have marble or granite countertops and shower/tub combos with glass doors in most. Soap is provided, but extensive toiletries are not. Note that Wi-Fi costs extra in apartments, but is free in the lobby. Some rooms have distant views of the beach. 

This hotel offers tons of amenities for vacationers, making it a good option for those who want resort-style features with the convenience of self-catering apartments. At the heart of the resort sits a large outdoor lagoon-style swimming pool (heated in the wintertime) with a bridge feature plus a shallow play area and second smaller kids' pool. The pool area has plenty of lounge chairs, and the hotel offers a few more chairs on a grassy patch at the edge of the property overlooking the sea. The beach, which is public like all beaches in Cyprus, is a few minutes' walk below. 

There's also an indoor lap pool, though it's on the small side, and an adjacent gym with a great selection of older equipment plus tennis and volleyball courts. Other wellness facilities include a sauna and whirlpool hot tub (for a fee) and a treatment room with massages and treatments. Hair and makeup beauty services can be arranged on request. For families, the hotel offers a seasonal summer kids' club with a playground, a mini soccer field, mini-golf, and a basketball court, along with a game room featuring indoor activities such as video games and table tennis. Animation and evening entertainment are offered for children and adults in the summer season. 

This hotel offers an optional all-inclusive package, which covers all three meals along with snacks and well liquor. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served buffet style at the main Arodaphnousa Restaurant, which offers a good selection and themed evenings. However, the food here is of low quality and the place smelled stale during our visit, prompting us to visit the pool bar instead. The menu here verges on fast food, with ice cream, drinks, and a small selection of salads and burgers. Guests also have the option of dining a la carte at the beachfront La Brezza del Mare during summer months, which offers seafood and Italian cuisine in the evenings.

Although the hotel caters primarily to vacationers, they also offer two conference rooms, one of which can be divided into two smaller rooms. There's also a lovely outdoor wedding gazebo on a patch of grass with views out over the sea. Other facilities include a laundromat and a large minimart with toys, souvenirs, food, and a large selection of second-hand paperbacks for sale. Wi-Fi is free in common areas but costs extra in rooms. There's ample free on-site parking.