Don't know about weddings there but since no one else has answered . The hotel itself is very smart... one of the best in Cyprus. Excellent food - the catering side of things is certainly sorted. The hotel has its own chapel which we had a look around. There is a man-made beach area which was not completed when we were there (it is now). The pictures on the hotel website http://www.elysium.com.cy/ give a fair reflection on the quality of the hotel.

The Elysium staff were wonderful when we got married in oct 04.
They made every arrangement except the town hall. it was so stress free, if you go with with them i'm sure it will be great. if you want any more info send me a pm and i'll try to help.

I played the bagpipes at a wedding last year in the Elysium last year, it was quoted as the best in the world, I don't think you would be disappointed.

regards

thecypruspiper

I wondered if anyone has stayed at the Elysium in Paphos this season? Been reading a lot of pretty mixed reviews for this on another site, and in general they seem to indicate that it has gone downhill a bit, attracting the "wrong" type of clientele, pool area filled with people from other hotels, noise and lots of kids running around.

I am going two weeks today, and was hoping that it was going to be good! Perhaps these are the types who would always complain, and I do take things with a pinch of salt, balancing up all the opinions I read about a place but I haven't read so many negatives on this hotel before. Anyone stayed there recently who can reassure me (or otherwise) so I know what to expect? Thanks.

I would not think the Elysium would attract the kind of people you are talking about, it is far too expensive for the average pleb! as for other hotels using the pool I doubt this very much as they run a very tight ship on allocated sun bed's, when I was last there they wanted a fiver for a bed if you were not a resident, not many I know would pay that for a sunbed..

Hi Jim,

> a fiver for a bed

Do they deliver?

Cheers,

Nigel

Thanks for that Jim - I was surprised to read that other hotel residents were able to use the sunbeds and the type of clientele mentioned, given the cost of the place! When I went to have a look last time I was in Paphos I didn't actually go in because I thought I was too casually dressed and I wouldn't get past the front entrance! It didn't seem the kind of place where you would just stroll in and sit at the pool if you weren't staying there.

Hope it lives up to expectations - looking forward to some serious relaxation and some sunshine.

Well it one of the best if not the best hotels in the Pafos area, and if anyone would find fault it would be someone who is far too discerning for there own good, great hotel and I wished I could afford to use it..

Nigel I have a sun bed for you and a fiver would be ripping you off for it!! hope you are still enjoying the UK..and to tell you it is still very hot here (daytime) we are missing you here!!

I had a look round the Elysium a few days ago when I was in Pafos. It is to die for! I took loads of pics of it and no-one bothered me. The people I saw inside and out all looked the same as any other holidaymakers although they probably had much more money! I brought back the wedding package for my daughter to look at and the meals were no more expensive per head then the places here. They have such a lot of different options to choose from from light dining right up to sumptious feasts. I have been all over the world but have not been in such a beautiful hotel, it is certainly going on my 'to do list' for the future.

Julie

Hi is anyone able to give me some information on room types at Elysium? We are at present booked to stay at the Venus beach hotel for next summer. We looked around the Venus last year because we like the area around the Venus and Elysium hotels and thought Venus looked quite nice, possibly not the 5 star it claims to be but still OK, and at a decent price. However, there has been some absolutely horrendous reviews lately and we are deciding whether to bite the bullet and change our booking to the Elysium, but it is double the price. Does anyone have any idea what the difference is between the Deluxe Side Sea View rooms and the standard Full Sea View Rooms, in the way of furnishings amenities etc. Both rooms are the same price. Have looked on the Elysium's own internet site, but can only find Ethereal rooms, Cypriot loft rooms etc, so am not sure what they are classing as Standard and Deluxe. Would be grateful for any feedback/advice on hotel. Many thanks.

Hi - I came back from the Elysium last weekend. We had an ethereal room with side sea view and it was fantastic - it would be classed as standard, but I cannot imagine what else you would actually need!.

The room was very spacious, with king size bed, choice of pillows, TV, playstation, fully stocked mini bar, plenty storage, free safe, bathroom with power shower, stocked daily with Molton Brown toiletries, fluffy bathrobes, slippers, large soft bath towels replaced twice a day, complimentry wine and fruit in the room on arrival.

We looked over to the tombs of the kings, and could see the sea side on from our balcony. I preferred our view to having a room at the front of the hotel. It would have been nice to have a full sea view, but I couldn't justify the price, and it was getting dark by7pm so wouldn't have had much benefit from it!

Didn't get a chance to see inside any luxury rooms, but did see the daily butler service delivering wine and petit fours every day to them - not a priority to me when I am on holiday! I would have no hesitation in booking an ethereal room again -it was lovely, and since we were out of it from 8 - 6 each day and then again in the evening, any more money spent on the room would have been excessive and unnecessary!

Thanks very much for your reply.

These were the room choices we were given as we would be transferring a booking, and what was available was a standard inland view, deluxe side sea view and standard full sea view. The inland view would be just fine but were wondering what the difference would be for the extra £120 per couple, to have a deluxe room and if that is what the hotel is classing as an ethereal room or cypriot loft room!! Whatever, they all sound lovely and the Elysium is a beautiful hotel, we also looked around last year. We went for the Venus because it was supposed to be a 5 star and like yourselves you only sleep in the room and it was literally half the price of the Elysium, and in the area we wanted to be in. What we won't put up with is unclean rooms, dirty pools etc, who would, which is what the reviews of the Venus are coming back as. We are ordinary working people, who save hard and very much look forward to our hols each year, so we would rather spend a bit more and have a worry free comfortable time. The Elysium although very much a high end deluxe hotel, did not have that high brow factor feeling when we visited which I hope will suit us fine, we like to be friendly but keep much to ourselves.

Hi - Madgex, we are much the same as youselves by the sound of it! My hubby has a particularly hard physical job, so relaxation is the name of the game for us on holiday. The cleanliness in the Elysium is amazing - I never once saw a scrap of rubbish lying on the ground, and they were picking up leaves too! The pools are literally sparkling. We are not "posh"and certainly don't always stay 5 star, but most people were just perfectly ordinary - lots of casual dressing, jeans even, although they are not allowed in the bars and restaurants and we didn't feel uncomortable at any time! Just relaxed and pampered, because the staff do make you feel special.

I am a bit confused now about what is standard and what is deluxe - we had the cheapest rooms, I thought, with the Ethereal which I understood to be standard. If you had an inland view room the view isn't great but it's not too bad -I was pleased with our view overall because it was better than I thought it was going to be. Hotel location in my opinion is better than the Venus.

We could see some of the rooms with private plunge pools from our room and the patio areas round their pools were in the shade by the afternoon, so no use for lying out even though they looked nice.

If you are just going as a couple I wouldn't have thought that the Cyprian Loft room would be needed. The full sea view rooms would have a lovely view and you would get full advantage of the gorgeous sunsets, but it is a lot extra to pay.

I would be happy booking a standard inland view personally - this is definitely a 5 star hotel all the way. I looked round 3 years ago and was scared to go right inside because it looked so posh, but I always wanted to stay there. I'm so glad we went - it exceeded my expectations and I would say go for it. No point in saving up all year and then being worried sick about the quality of your accommodation when you are spending all that money. The Elysium is worth every pennny.

Meerkat - so many thanks for your replies regarding the Elysium. Well, we have taken your advice and are going to change booking from the Venus to Elysium, taking an inland view room to save some pennies but have since found out that these are the ethereal rooms - they sound absolutely wonderful from your description. Like you and your hubby we are certainly not "posh" either, my hubby has a really physical three shift job, so we need the rest and relaxation same as yourselves and I'm sure the vast majority of others. We don't always go to 5 star hotels either, a nice hotel is more than adequate, having had a bad experience a few years back at the Annabelle, which put us off nearly for life of 5 stars! This is why we were so glad to hear that 'ordinary' folks visit the Elysium as well. Anyway, feel much more happy, and can't wait until next year. Thanks.

Hi Madgex - that's brilliant - I am certain you won't regret it. Wish I could go again next year. You should really look forward to it, and have no worries about the standard - once that pool butler is carrying your towels to your sunbed and putting the bed to whatever position you want, you will be glad you changed from the Venus - the only hard decision will be whether you want your sun umbrella up or down - and you don't even have to do that yourself!!!

i have been reading these posts and thought i would have a look at the hotel. My god what a hotel. My poor husband that is all he has heard since ive looked. It is are 15th wedding anniversary next year in june, this is just the place to have a nice romantic break away from the children. The only thing is We have booked to go to the andreotis apartments in protaras for the end of june next year with the children. Maybe if im a really good girl and do lots of nagging i might be lucky. (well a girl has to have dreams)

My hubby initially wasn't particularly keen to go here - he thought it would be too posh, and that we might not "fit in" and he likes his half board in hotels. We could only afford to go B & B but there are so many decent restaurants to try in Paphos that it wasn't a problem, and he may have found dinner at the Elysium not quite to his liking for plain and simple food!

I nagged, and then nagged a bit more, and surprise surprise he agreed in the end - you just need to wear them down. Good luck oliday - keep trying. I enjoy Protaras and often stay in apartments in other resorts, 2 or 3 star if I get agood deal, but for a special occasion, or a nice romatic break together this is wonderful......

Hi

I stayed for a week in late October. I have stayed in many 4 and 5 * hotels, but this is probably the best of all. The service is world-class. Staff could not be any better or more friendly.

Decor is amazing, as stated, beautifully clean and fresh flowers, fruit etc.

Pools are amazing and plenty of towels, sunbeds etc.
Beach is small but perfectly formed!
Swam in the sea in November! Temperature of the sea was 27!

Could not recommend a hotel more. Booked through Expedia for £900 for the week.

Food is amazing in the main restraunt. Buffet style with themes. The suites are a work of art and the best I have ever tasted.

Jim

Have to agree on the buffets..they were excellent (and I usually hate buffets)