Annabelle Hotel review: Laid back luxury in the heart of Paphos

First Impressions

From the moment we arrived at the Annabelle, everything just worked. It’s a modern, airy five-star hotel that feels properly cared for - stylish without being flashy. Check-in was easy, and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming or helpful.

What are the rooms like at Annabelle Hotel?

We stayed in a sea-view room with a balcony, which was generously sized, spotlessly clean and comfortable. The bed was particularly good - we both slept like logs. The whole place had a calm, laid-back luxury vibe that made it easy to relax.

Is Annabelle hotel good for Families?

We didn’t bring kids with us this time, but it’s clear the Annabelle is very family-friendly. The concierge can help tailor activities for children, and there’s a kids’ club next door at sister hotel Almyra (the Mythos Kids’ Club) with everything from baking to treasure hunts for little ones aged 4 months to 11 years. Parents with babies can use the "Baby Go Lightly" service to pre-order all the gear you might need. And the pools - of which there are several - were a big hit with the families we saw.

What's the food like?

There are a number of restaurants at the hotel:

Ouranos was our favourite — a rooftop bar/restaurant with incredible sea views and a menu full of creative small plates inspired by Asian, South American and Middle Eastern flavours. We went back more than once.

Mediterraneo does relaxed Italian right by the water.

Amorosa is the fine-dining option if you're in the mood for something fancier.

Breakfast deserves a shout-out - loads of choice and served right by the sea on the sun deck. It felt like a proper holiday moment. There were also solid kids' menu options across the board.

If you fancy venturing out, we had two fantastic dinners at Onar in Paphos Old Town, which describes itself as modern Greek with a twist and wouldn’t be out of place in Soho  - so good we couldn’t resist a second visit.

Things to Do

The spa was superb - one of the best massages we’ve had. And the hotel’s location is also a winner: right on the seafront and an easy walk to Paphos Harbour. We even braved a swim in the sea in late December — bracing, yes, but totally worth it. The bay is shallow, calm, and beautifully clear - perfect for a quick dip. It’s also a great base if you want to explore more of Cyprus whether that’s hiring a car or booking a few day trips and the good thing about this area was that the roads were excellent and the Cypriots drive on the right side of the road (in every respect).

We also tried a brilliant local halloumi workshop that’s well worth doing if you're a cheese fan or just love discovering proper local food. The workshop covers learning how to use halloumi in traditional recipes and how to identify the authentic stuff.

The Verdict

We’d go back in a heartbeat. The Annabelle manages to be luxurious and genuinely family-friendly at the same time - a rare combo. It’s ideal for multigenerational trips too, with plenty for everyone to enjoy. For the standard of the experience, it’s excellent value and just a really lovely place to stay.