Helios Bay Hotel Apartments

Another wonderful holiday in the best hotel in Cyprus. Everything perfect, room ,pool,food and staff. Thanks again to Nicos and family and staff!

Lovely spacious apartment (although toilet & balcony a bit on the small side ).Air Conditioning was fantastic. If you require any more cooking utensils, just ask at the reception and they will provide you with them.All the staff were very friendly & polite. Housekeeping was excellent, rooms cleaned every day except a Sunday.Fresh towels daily. Lovely sandy beach at the rear of the hotel, although sometimes the sea can be a little rough.

Wife and I flew with Jet2 June 14th. Would we stay here again? No. This place isn't all bad, though, it goes from spectacular (the Cypriot fish dish cooked by Larissa - I think that was her name - if you go, try it - it’s the best fish I've ever tasted) to the problematic - the straggly-styled blonde haired receptionist who greeted us with total indifference and demonstrated her admirable brand of ignorance whilst working the bar on the Sunday - she must be part of the family who runs this gaff because she would never land a job in hospitality/customer service otherwise), to the shocking - its rooms are over three stories and it doesn't have a lift. If you arrive late at night due to delays, I'm afraid you carry the cases up the flights unaided. I can't remember seeing this detail on the Jet2 website - surely, they realise this is important for elderly/infirm customers?

The Spectacular: • That Cypriot fish dish – I can’t put into words how good it was and for 15 ish euro
The Good: • Weather fantastic • Staff (Robin at the bar was wonderful and very helpful - thank you). The breakfast staff were hard working, attentive and polite. The cleaning staff were wonderful. • Room - cleaner was brilliant we loved her - very enthusiastic and proud of her work. The room was clean and had a nice balcony overlooking the restaurant next door to the hotel • Bar/Menu prices – very reasonable with a great selection – food fresh and hot when ordered at the bar • Access to promenade – can get onto the beach path from the hotel and walk for miles if you choose

The not so Good:

• Breakfast - not a great selection, cold cooked eggs not my thing, so toast and cheeses with ham/tomato saved the day. If you got there early enough you could get a warm egg! • The location – in the middle of nowhere with poor/non-existent pavements if trying to explore the main road. There is a handy bus, however, if you want to venture anywhere with a bit of life/variety. We tried the Kasparis restaurant over the road from the hotel – expensive with poor food in our opinion – the restaurant next to the hotel (The Aphrodite

• had too many poor reviews so we didn’t bother)

• The bar served as a kitchen/dining area AND an entertainment area in the evening. This place was dead in the evening (even tho the World Cup was on!) – no atmosphere, no entertainment. Very poor in the evening/night – owners letting their brilliant staff down, I think. • The random nature of the room allocation. There are no lifts. Can you carry two 22kg cases up two flights of stairs? If not, get those weights out. We were happy with our side sea-view room, but those below us had a balcony that faced a tall hedge and a water hose. We overheard a couple complaining but don’t know the outcome.

Why we won’t be going back to this hotel • The location • The hit and miss nature of the room location/allocation • The poor evening/night offer • The blonde receptionist/Sunday bar worker who felt she was doing you a favour by letting you stay here (think she was part of the ownership) • There will be better than this on offer in Pafos, I’m certain of that.

I might go back for that fish, though.