Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Polis, Cyprus villa & hotel accommodation, independent reviews
 Reviewed 19 Apr 2006 by Marsali Harwood |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We had the most wonderful holiday; there were lots of hugely memorable moments. Arriving at the hotel was pretty good: it was in pristine condition, the staff were very friendly and there were lots of glorious flowers. The children exploded out of the taxi and immediately explored cacti, birds nests etc. We loved our villa and when we explored the beach discovered it was perfect with sand and pebbly stretches, good for beachcombing, sandcastle making and sunbathing.
The other aspect of the holiday which I would mention is the range of things to do in Cyprus. My best day was when we visited the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos, and everyone else loved that too. We all enjoyed the Roman mosaics. Our 6 year old son would say Snake George (a short drive from Paphos) was the best day out and our 3 year old daughter would probably vote for the bird park.
Lastly I would single out the warm and friendly personalities of the Cypriots. Nothing was too much trouble and the service was fantastic without being overbearing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The flights were expensive so if you can book them early and get a deal that would be good. We hired a car on Day 3 and it was delivered to our villa then dropped it off at the airport on our way home. That worked well and I would recommend it to others.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The hotel used home grown and home prepared food wherever possible. The marmalade, from their own orange groves, was knockout. There were solar panels for heating the water and an automatic power cut-off whenever we were out of the villa, so they were good for the environment. Other than that it did not appear vastly different from other high quality hotels.
4. Any other comments?
Full marks from all of us.
| Reviewed 23 Apr 2009 by Joanna Marsh | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Ours was a relaxing and quiet holiday in a beautiful spot near Polis in Cyprus. If you want to go somewhere delightful, peaceful and unspoilt then this is the place. The food was delicious in the local restaurants, everyone was very friendly, spoke good English and the atmosphere was laid back. There are interesting Greek/Roman ruins at Kato Paphos and Kourion and the Akamas peninsular is fantastic for walking.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't go here if you want action cos there ain't none.....!!! If you want wonderful walks, warm swimming in crystal clear water, bird watching and plenty of nature then this is for you. The hotel owners were so laid back that they served breakfast until 10am and everything happened very slowly and nothing was any trouble.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The hotel was very eco-friendly. Most of the food was local and a lot grown themselves. Their goats had a daily outing to graze over the gardens and beach infront of the rooms. They even breed lizards to eat the pests that would otherwise ruin their veggies. The loos were composting and the electricity was only on if you put the key in the slot. There were orange trees groaning with oranges all over the hotel's land and we had fresh orange juice and oranges available non-stop.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was just right for us. The kids were happy with the freedom of the place. It was totally safe or certainly felt safe. The hotel rooms looked over lawns which went onto the beach and the sea was perfect. The lawns were covered in bird life. So for us it was ideal for a week to get away and relax. We had great weather which always helps.
| Reviewed 16 Apr 2009 by Elizabeth Kenn | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking in deserted paths, scuba diving, good meals in Polis, an unspoilt part of Cyprus, right on the border of the Akamas nature reserve and near the Troodos mountains.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't go here if you want lots of night life - except for good Cypriot food at reasonable prices. Otherwise highly recommended. The hotel we stayed in is well designed to fit in with area, friendly, helpful and also quiet. We had one of their villas, which are lovely. The walk into town keeps you fit.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The hotel is run on "eco" lines, and uses much of own produce - so yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good indeed, we've been to this part of Cyprus before and to this hotel and always enjoyed it.
| Reviewed 9 Aug 2008 by Moira Read | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The view from the hotel of the beach and the clear blue sea was amazing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Superb hotel, far enough out of town to be really quiet. Polis is like Pafos 20 years ago, peaceful.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
All the staff at the hotel were very helpful, and the hotel was proud of its efforts to minimise the impact on the environment and use own grown produce.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.
| Reviewed 8 May 2008 by Phil Scordis | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The hotel was really nice, quiet and secluded, very good staff and excellent food. We spent some time just up the coast in the Akamas Reserve which is a beautiful wilderness with a number of nature trails. 2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
April/May is an excellent time of year to visit Cyprus, the daytime temperature and weather is extremely fine and night time is a cool welcome break from the day.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The accommodation has taken a number of environmentally friendly steps to reduce it's impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic, the hotel, Polis and the area is stunning.
| Reviewed 5 Apr 2008 by Sheila Darzi | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The wonderful peaceful setting and its proximity to the lovely pebbly beach. However, it is difficult to imagine it when the hotel is full.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
To bear in mind that this is not a luxurious hotel and not to expect the 'shiny bits'. To be assured that the walk to the town is enjoyable and easy. To try the a la carte menu for lunch. We were usually out during the day but lunch on the day we left was memorable.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I don't feel that the waste water recycling was well known. Other guests were unaware. Cyprus does not seem to sort recyclable items and I would have been happy to find bins for paper, bottles, fruit peelings etc at the hotel. It also worried me that many plastic bin bags are accumulated each day for land-fill disposal. There were no notices recommending keeping towels instead of changing daily. Our holiday benefited local people in that we used local services and employees were local and presumably food was purchased locally instead of being brought in bulk from a distance.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We were five people who have been away together before and we all agreed it was the 'best yet'. Apart from the heavy wardrobe doors, no-one complained.
Read the operator's response here:
The first point concerns the awareness of our guests to our water saving practices. These are explained in some detail on our web site through which our clients book. There is also a small note in 3 languages behind the bathroom door, encouraging guest to conserve water and reuse towels. Mrs Darzi stayed with us at the beginning of the season and I suspect this sign might have been missing from her room.The other point concerns recycling of solid waste and as she correctly points out, this is a problem of Cyprus in general, not of the hotel in particular. Regrettably there is no recycling program in our area so nobody would actually collect any separated recycling waste. Programs have started in the last couple of years in the cities, but not in the countryside, where we are located. We have been encouraging the local authority to inaugurate such a program and I hope something will be done soon enough. But it has to be understood that this is a common effort and not something that the hotel can implement on its own, in contrast, for instance, to water recycling. In the meantime we are collecting glass bottles from our restaurant (wine bottles etc) and we actually transfer many of them to the capital in our private transfers! This of course is not a proper recycling project but a complement to our domestic efforts.
| Reviewed 8 Nov 2007 by June Waterton | |
We have just returned from this accommodation and loved it. The staff are extremely friendly, very courteous and the hotel clean and very comfortable. The hotel itself is in a perfect spot, very peaceful and quiet - quite perfect. A sea view is worth the extra - especially on the first floor.
It is at the far end of the island and therefore a car is very necessary if you want to go anywhere - even into town. As we intended to hire a car, this wasn't a problem.
Polis itself is also quiet with plenty of restaurants to choose from, with very friendly staff. We ate out most nights and thoroughly enjoyed it. In peak season when there is probably a buffet most nights, this might be a worthwhile option but being a vegetarian, it is nice to sample a broader spectrum of eateries with a greater choice.
It is at the far end of the island and therefore a car is very necessary if you want to go anywhere - even into town. As we intended to hire a car, this wasn't a problem.
Polis itself is also quiet with plenty of restaurants to choose from, with very friendly staff. We ate out most nights and thoroughly enjoyed it. In peak season when there is probably a buffet most nights, this might be a worthwhile option but being a vegetarian, it is nice to sample a broader spectrum of eateries with a greater choice.
| Reviewed 30 Oct 2007 by Michael Page | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This was the second time we’d stayed in one of these villas - In January 2007 we’d escaped a cool England for a week of sunshine and warmth - but at that time of year only the villas had been open, the hotel, most local restaurants too, were shut. So we returned in October to temperatures in the 30’s for a second relaxing week. The villas are simply furnished but comfortable.
We breakfasted on the first floor roof terrace of the villa overlooking the hotel’s gardens, and relaxed by the sunny private pool secluded from our neighbours by tall vegetation - Most evenings we went no further than the restaurant, on the hotel’s terrace overlooking the sea. Cypriot country cooking is their strength, good use being made of the hotel’s home grown organic vegetables and herbs - the service was enthusiastic, kept on their toes by the owners’ occasional presence in the shadows keeping a gentle eye on the proceedings.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The kitchens are adequate but quite basic. But the only thing I really missed was a really sharp cook’s knife (this time we packed our own). We’d found the hotel’s internet connection impossibly slow in January and found it quicker (and cheaper) to patronize a Polis internet café.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
They employ local people - they grow their own vegetables olives and herbs - even the oranges for our breakfast marmalade. The hotel is only two storeys high and almost invisible from the shore line about 200 metres away - solar power is used to heat the water and the hotel gardens appear to be are watered with grey water.
| Reviewed 26 Jun 2007 by Jimmy Edwards | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Idyllic location
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just go there
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a perfect family holiday
| Reviewed 1 May 2007 by Mary Hession | |
I had a lovely holiday, thank you!
It was all that I expected it to be, and more besides! The hotel was peaceful and quiet, with no noisy discos or other entertainment, (which I don't like), and the food was good too ~ lots of it being from their own organic gardens. It was situated in a lovely part of Cyprus, right on the beach, but with nature on the doorstep. Most of the hotel's guests were 'walkers' and were out walking most days, which left the hotel grounds peaceful and quiet for those seeking relaxation, and time to read, or to just 'BE'.
I enjoyed all of it ~ I waked in local nature areas, I drove up into the mountains, and I also had some days just relaxing by the sea. The staff were all lovely, and I met some lovely new friends that I intend keeping in touch with.
You need to take your hiking boots if you want to go walking though, as the terrain is rough in places. I shall definitely be returning to stay at the same hotel in the not so distant future, and I told them so!
It was all that I expected it to be, and more besides! The hotel was peaceful and quiet, with no noisy discos or other entertainment, (which I don't like), and the food was good too ~ lots of it being from their own organic gardens. It was situated in a lovely part of Cyprus, right on the beach, but with nature on the doorstep. Most of the hotel's guests were 'walkers' and were out walking most days, which left the hotel grounds peaceful and quiet for those seeking relaxation, and time to read, or to just 'BE'.
I enjoyed all of it ~ I waked in local nature areas, I drove up into the mountains, and I also had some days just relaxing by the sea. The staff were all lovely, and I met some lovely new friends that I intend keeping in touch with.
You need to take your hiking boots if you want to go walking though, as the terrain is rough in places. I shall definitely be returning to stay at the same hotel in the not so distant future, and I told them so!
| Reviewed 12 Apr 2006 by Janet Rook | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Most memorable - watching a whip snake raid a nest of sparrows and eat some babies before being scared off by hotel owner.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Need a hire car.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. Water for flushing loos from local well, saving valuable drinking water. Food grown on land either side of hotel for use in restaurant. Hotel owner protects turtle nests on beach from foxes. Hotel lighting is low level so baby turtles not attracted inland.
4. Any other comments?
3 to 4 stars. Hotel in quiet unspoilt area, with grounds that go down to meet the beach. Simple style but all that was needed. The interest of the owner in the flora and fauna of the area and his love of caring for the environment was very evident. He gave an excellent lecture one evening on his interests and was very keen to answer questions of visitors. We'll certainly be looking at your web site again. Thanks.
| Reviewed 5 Aug 2005 by Caroline Parker | |
This hotel is a wonderfully peaceful and relaxing place to stay. It's also the only hotel I've ever stayed in where there were always enough sun-beds to go round. Friendly staff, good food, pleasant rooms with wonderful views. Protected turtle nests on the beach. The nearby town is easy to walk to and has plenty of places for an evening meal out. You do need a car to get out and see the island and it wouldn't be ideal for families with children who need to be entertained as there is little locally for them to do. We weren't that impressed with Cyprus but would certainly come back to this hotel if we ever returned.
| Reviewed 21 Mar 2005 by Kathryn Glynn | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We did really enjoy the holiday - it was both relaxing and refreshing. The hotel that I found through you was, we think - probably the best hotel in its category; firstly because it grew and used seasonal vegetables and fruit; secondly, because it was largely quiet and peaceful and lastly, but not least, because of its location. We travelled around by car and saw many hotels, but they were nearly always near others or other building works, or apartments or villas. This hotel (for now) stands alone with greenery on both sides, a lovely sunset view of hills, and miles of unshared beach, and from that point of view we decided we were in the best place (if you are not after 'action'!).
Similarly Polis remains the most unbuilt up area on the coast that we could see, so travelling to and from our place of stay was always lovely scenery. The staff were all very helpful and friendly. I would recommend it to any of our friends going to Cyprus, though they need to be prepared to travel a distance to most of the 'touristy' places and not expect luxury. Highlights of the holiday, apart from lazing around the hotel pool and playing on the beach, were the drive up to Mount Troodos, with snow to play in and bright sunshine, and a visit to the Tombs of the Kings, decorated with summer flowers.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The hotel had a private party one Saturday night in the restaurant, with a disco, so it was noisy until about 12 midnight. The hotel was normally peaceful and quiet and not built to contain sound, so this was unpleasant - but would have been more bearable if we had had notice of it. Then we could have decided to go out somewhere for the evening, or let the children sleep longer in the daytime knowing they would be disturbed in the evening etc. I meant to tell someone about this there, but bottled out. Perhaps you could pass the message on. Just a notice on reception as long in advance as possible, so that guest could make alternative arrangements would have been courteous I think.
The pool was unheated, which is environmentally sound of course, but wondered whether they would consider heating it with its own solar panels, so that during the fringe season, when we were there it would be comfortable to swim in? Possibly with a cover at night to keep the daytime warmth in.
I did not realise (perhaps I should have done or perhaps they could let clients know) that there would be no choice of meal on the half-board option. Perhaps we have stayed at higher star hotels in the past - but we have always had some choice on half-board. I can see that choice equals more waste as they cannot guess what people will choose in advance - but management of expectations is half the solution - so I feel if people knew what to expect they might be less disappointed.
Similarly the only choice of fruit there were oranges and some rather unpleasant apples (even though we saw bananas growing around the island elsewhere). Again this is probably the price of being environmentally friendly - but is a surprise and not a pleasant aspect of a holiday, when we are used to all the choice we have over here - and imagined that much more fruit grows naturally over there. I would recommend that if people want choice they should book bed and breakfast (where there is choice, though again more limited than in other hotels we have been to) and have a la carte menu in the evening...though it would be more expensive.
I didn't ask if they had any double beds, but all the ones we saw were single pushed together. Again this is probably the most practical arrangement for flexibility - but is not very comfortable if you are a cuddly partnership at night!! I think they should have some double beds - especially if they wanted any honeymooners to go there.
The kids loved the beach, but it was 'muddy- coloured' with stones in it from my point of view - which again is fine if people know what to expect. Probably why the golden sands of Ayia Napa are more popular. From our point of view with liking peace and quiet - this was worth the price to pay - but I would have liked to have known that first.
4. Any other comments?
Despite these comments - the place was surrounded by unspoilt, beautiful scenery (in Spring anyway), and gave quiet, but helpful and friendly service. So I thank you - I do not think I would have ended up there without your recommendation on your website. I would give it three stars......but might have been higher if we had not been to places like Antigua last year, which it cannot really compare to. I still think, if you don't need five star luxury service and entertainment, it had to be the best hotel in Cyprus!!
| Reviewed 26 Jan 2005 by Janet Banham | |
The hotel was very quiet - only 2 or 3 other couples there. A car was necessary out of season, as local transport was some distance away. The food was local, home produced, as promised - excellent breakfasts with lots of fruit and ham, cheese and home made bread, marmalade etc! Dinners were a bit basic, and served in the bar area with so few people there, but OK when we got the hang of the ordering systems. The staff were friendly and helpful.
The hotel has lots of energy saving devices, but it was very, very cold in the evenings and mornings in January. We had a sunny room (not sea view) which helped - those with a sea view were cold. The views from the hotel front were great - and we were close to the Akamas Peninsula, excellent walking country. Overall we had an excellent holiday, especially as the weather was pretty good for January. We would be happy to go again.
The hotel has lots of energy saving devices, but it was very, very cold in the evenings and mornings in January. We had a sunny room (not sea view) which helped - those with a sea view were cold. The views from the hotel front were great - and we were close to the Akamas Peninsula, excellent walking country. Overall we had an excellent holiday, especially as the weather was pretty good for January. We would be happy to go again.
| Reviewed 24 Feb 2009 by Jan Moore | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Packing to come home.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't go here at the start of the season unless you really want to. The owners were nice but with one exception the staff didn't seem to have any idea what they were doing. The breakfasts were good but the evening meal was dreadful and the staff couldn’t even tell you what they were serving.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
No.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Disappointing.