Elysium resort, Paphos: five-star luxury in the lap of the gods
The island of Cyprus has history in its bloodstream. Indeed, it’s impossible to go more than a few miles without stumbling across another ancient basilica, Greco-Roman ruin or medieval monastery.
Combine this with five-star stays, Middle East-infused dining, spectacular beaches and up to 340 days of sunshine a year, and you have the ingredients for an unforgettable Mediterranean escape.
On a British Airways Holidays break to the elegant Elysium in Paphos, you’ll find yourself transported back centuries, enjoying five-star luxury just yards from the tombs of Cyprus’s ancient high-fliers.
This is just the start of a journey back in time spanning mesmerising museums, early Christian churches, magnificent Greco-Roman mosaics and Ottoman fortifications.
Benefits of booking with British Airways Holidays
- Book now, pay later with deposits from £60 per person, and pay off the balance in as many instalments as you like. Balance is due four weeks before travel for short-haul trips*
- A dedicated 24-hour, seven-days-a-week holiday helpline for any issues while you’re away
- ATOL protection for all holidays – meaning your money is safe and you can rest assured you won’t be stranded abroad
History is, of course, just part of the appeal. Paphos is Cyprus’s favourite family resort, blessed with gorgeous beaches, bathtub-warm waters, a handsome historic centre and easy access to the thyme-perfumed shoreline of the unspoiled Akamas Peninsula.
Imagine days by the pool mixed with family adventures from hilltop hikes to evenings watching turtle hatchlings scurry across empty sands.
Historical touches meet modern convenience
Not content with a location in the heart of history, the architects of the Elysium incorporated the architectural styles of ancient Paphos into their plans. Accordingly, the resort’s stylish buildings blend Greek, Roman, Frankish and Venetian themes and elements from traditional Cypriot village homes.
Elysium resort, Cyprus
Venetian colonnades look out over sculpted pools. Romanesque villas bask in landscaped gardens. Motifs from ancient Greek mosaics spill into rooms and public spaces. And Ottoman balconies gaze over a sea of palms towards the lilting Mediterranean.
Oh, and the best rooms have private plunge pools neighbouring Tombs of the Kings, so you can feel a little like a Roman emperor on holiday.
Inside, historical touches are paired with contemporary fabrics, automated mood lighting, flatscreens, private outdoor spaces and dreamy stone-lined bathrooms with tubs and showers. Outside, pools and gardens – divided into adult and family zones – spill down to a pretty, sand-lined cove.
Spoilt for culinary choice
Guests at the Elysium embark on a culinary journey – lavish breakfast spreads (including champagne, if the mood takes you), globe-trotting buffets, treats from Tuscany, pan-Asian plates (including superior sushi and sashimi) and the fresh flavours of the Med, including authentic grills, stews and fresh seafood from the Cypriot kitchen.
If you overindulge, worry not – indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, water sports (including scuba diving in turquoise Paphos Bay) and a gym with personal trainers are all available to help you shake off excess calories.
But don’t forget to relax; tots and teens can keep busy in the kids’ club, while you get busy doing nothing at all in the spa (with highly regarded treatments using ESPA products).
Close to the heart of Cyprus’s heritage
For days when you’re feeling more energetic, stroll across to the Tombs of the Kings, whose extravagant mausoleums were built for wealthy merchants, aristocrats and city officials from ancient Paphos. It’s not much further to the ruined mansions where these bigwigs lived, decked out with lavish mosaics that form an illustrated handbook of ancient Greek myths and legends.
More reasons to choose a holiday from British Airways Holidays
There are all kinds of advantages to booking
- A generous baggage allowance of 23kg per person is included as standard – so there are no extra costs to add on
- Quality accommodation options to suit every budget, from 3* to 5*, there’s something for everyone
- Extensive flights from the British Airways network: so you’ll be able to find a flight that suits your schedule
- British Airways flies to centrally located airports so you can be sure of good transport links to your final destination
- Upgrade to British Airways Club Europe – to experience an extra level of service and style, you can upgrade your travel plans to fly British Airways Club Europe. You’ll enjoy dedicated check-in desks^ and priority booking, a larger baggage allowance, access to private lounges^, and complimentary food and drink options onboard
Despite the growth of the beach holiday, Paphos is still a Cypriot fishing village at heart. Wander the meandering lanes of Ktima – the city’s original hub, lined with old shuttered houses – and drop in on a service at one of its ancient Orthodox churches and you’ll feel the rhythms of the old Cyprus.
Take time to sample the homestyle cooking of the city’s celebrated tavernas – stalwarts such as Kiniras Garden and Argo feel like joining a family feast, with recipes handed down from generation to generation. It’s a taste of Cypriot culture that will linger in the memory long after you leave the island’s sun-kissed shoreline.
All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your 2024 Cyprus holiday to Elysium now with a low deposit*.