Ivi Mare, Adults only design hotel, and a luxury property of the experienced Louis Hotels group, was an obvious pick when seeking a base to explore Paphos for the first time. Paphos is often an overlooked destination in Cyprus for holiday-goers and sunseekers, when competing with beloved areas such as Limassol, Ayia Napa, Protaras, and more. However this beautiful coastal city, proved to be one of the most beautiful and cultural spots of the island, and a must-visit for all those seeking a mixture of history, adventure and pristine beach experiences, as well as breath-taking sights.
A Haven of Luxury
The hotel is designed with simple, bright, elegance in mind. With 148 rooms, it is structured intimately and gives a sense of privacy to all guests. Upon arrival, one of the more striking notes is the warmth and hospitality which assures you have landed in the heart of Greek-Cypriot culture, as the staff personally tend to settling in guests, explaining the hotel, it’s layout, board options, facilities and surrounding amenities.
The hotel follows a doll-house style architecture, allowing sweeping panoramic views from the room balconies of the coastline and open horizon. Blended with Cyprus’s deeply warm temperatures, and the local attractions and sights to explore; it provides one of the most all-rounded summer experiences when seeking both a relaxed and adventurous trip.
I was particularly touched by Front Office manager Helena’s passion and dedication towards welcoming guests. She ensures guests experience an attentive and hospitable stay from check-in to check-out. This culture of hospitality is recreated in all staff at the hotel and, due to the scale and intimacy of the hotel, allows you to feel like it is more of a home!
Spa & Amenities
Ivi Mare boasts a beautiful and well-received Spa, which we didn’t experience first hand. However, the offering is of internationally competitive standards, and on a return visit this will definitely be an experience I choose to include. In keeping with the hotel’s elegant emphasis on design, the Spa’s interiors ooze serenity, space and personalized service with top-quality health and beauty offerings to nourish body, mind and spirit. From bespoke treatment to free-use of the saunas, steam room and fitness rooms, the spa adds an additional dimension of self-care and sanctuary whilst on your luxurious break.
Whether enjoying a rejuvenating massage or using the sauna or steam room, working out in the fitness room, or unwinding in the relaxation area, the luxury hotel’s spa adds a special dimension of pampering to your elegant Mediterranean escape.
The most important selling point, for me, at Ivi Mare, was that in addition to it being a haven of luxury, and relaxation by the sea, with proximity to the city; it is also the perfect base from which to plan cultural and local activities. It’s prime position as both a couple/honeymooners dream as well as an adventurer’s base, makes it a hotel to revisit again and again.
Hotel Dining
The hotel offers a range of dining option, ensuring sufficient variety for longer stays. Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants not only locally but in the city, is their Japanese outpost of Akakiko; a terrific and authentic experience & menu, including fresh, high quality ingredients translated into some of the best sushi and sashimi we have had whilst abroad. By a Londoner’s standard of expectations for casual-dining sushi; Akakiko does very well to fit the standard.
The hotel also boasts a good main buffet restaurant, Palettes, including a premium breakfast offering where guests can opt for added luxuries such as champagne. There is also the speciality a la carte Greek restaurant Meze by Elliniko, and the beautiful Mirrors bar with a gorgeous terrace overlooking the hotel’s coveted outdoor pool and sea views.
I would certainly recommend the Premium All Inclusive board option to allow you the flexibility and full offering that the hotel has to show; as the added luxuries and standard of their amenities deliver a very well rounded and value-for-money package.
Stevies Paphos Taxis
During our stay we planned a breath-taking day of activities with fantastic, friendly and personalised tour guides “Stevies Paphos Taxis (www.steviespaphostaxis.com). I cannot recommend this enough – the activities below can be split out over several days or into one jam-packed day of exploring; either way Stevies Taxis & the Ivi-Mare will co-ordinate an incredible, private excursion, including packed-lunches, fruits and drinks, whilst stopping off at each site for as little or long as you want to experience it.
Our excursion recommendations are:
- Stop and take in the stunning backdrop of Paphos’ Sea Caves – unique coastal formations, caves and stones set against a rocky seashore for beautiful panoramic views, photography, and a taste of nature’s beauty.
- Visit the famous Edro III Shipwreck – another sight to behold (all passengers from this famous shipwreck were rescued at the time!) the huge ship remains in place attracting many tourists for it’s picturesque and unique location and viewpoint. Sunset can get quite busy but also yields the most beautiful backdrop! A local bar named Oniro by the Sea is a great recommendation for evening-goers seeking a special vista!
- Visit Lara Bay Turtle Conservation – a stunning, isolated beach which presides over the turtles who visit every year to nest! If you are lucky enough, you might catch the babies as they hatch, a spectacular experience and sense of one-ness and awe with nature!
- Last but certainly not least is the Blue Lagoons – what can I say. You have not seen some of the world’s most beautiful waters, until you have seen the Blue Lagoon. This was the highlight of our trip. Whilst many people visit by boat; the driven path was a little trickier but afforded us the flexibility of time without having pressured departure schedules. I would really recommend this option, and Stevie’s taxis offer such a patient and expert service in taking you to the Lagoons that I couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. The waters are pristine, so clear you can see your toes, and healing due to their extremely rich mineral properties. The ambience is both utterly relaxing but also fun and flamboyant as some of the boats which dock play their own music and bring crowds of both locals and tourists, and all ages!
All in all, Stevies Paphos Taxis offers a truly fantastic way to spend our day of exploration, and an experience I can’t wait to repeat on revisiting Cyprus.
After a long day at the Ivi Mare beach and pool area, and whether you’re in the mood for lounging or exploring, the Ivi Mare hotel is your sanctuary that will impress you day after day. The hotel really is a home away from home. Couples, honeymooners, and groups of friends will truly remember and repeat an experience at this hotel for years to come.
Visit: https://theivimare.com for hotel bookings and more information.
For photos and videos of our stay at Ivi Mare, check out our Instagram page @hashtaglife for more inspiration.
