Overview

Annabelle Hotel, Paphos Cyprus As with other reviews I have done on trip advisor, the following is written from a wheelchair users’ point of view. Before going out to the Annabelle, I checked, via the holiday company, that the hotel would be suitable and had a reply saying that ‘my needs would be met’ Sadly, this was not entirely the case. Although I had arranged to have a toilet raiser at 4 Euros a day, the hotel informed me that they would supply a shower stool and a grab rail for the wall. Unfortunately, the supplied suction grab rail would not stick the wall and the stool was only about 10 inches high. We did get another but that was not much higher. On talking to Carol at Guest services, we then got a chair, which was much better. However, with the walls and floor being marble, even my wife problems with this. With us being there for 3 weeks, we decided to hire a proper shower chair from Cyprus Mobility, again at 4 euros per day. With the other chair being left with us, this allowed me ease of use of the rather cramped bathroom. And now for the good points about our stay at the Annabelle, and there were plenty. The actual bedroom was spacious and well equipped, with a free safe, fridge and hairdryer. Also two chairs and tables. We had quite a sizable balcony with lovely views over the swimming pool and gardens and looking out to sea and down to the Castle. There was no problem getting the wheelchair onto it, still leaving room for the two chairs and table. The wall mounted TV had English Channels coming through a satellite system, but were a bit hit and mis regarding if they were watchable or not. Internet connection was very good and we did not have to log back on once in the three weeks. I believe the hotel had a major refurbishment earlier this year. I feel the Annabelle Hotel missed an opportunity by not making a couple of rooms accessible, with proper wet rooms with pull down shower seats and toilets such as they have on the reception area floor. Like most other guest reviews of the Annabelle, I totally agree that Staff at the Annabelle are extremely friendly, courteous and very informative, whether it be about the hotel or Paphos. I got the feeling that they really wanted us to have a great stay. There are too many staff members to mention by name individually but it would be wrong of me not to mention Carol and Olga on Guest services. Ladies, thank you so much for helping us during our stay and going beyond their duties to help us out, especially with the bathroom. From the doormen, housekeeping and restaurant staff. Thank you for all you did for us. Very rarely did we have to hold the door open for entering and exiting the hotel. The restaurant staff were friendly and attentive and nearly always found us a table near to where the buffet was, making it easier for my wife as she was carrying for both of us. Really, it was actually a joy to go down to the Fontana Restaurant. At this point I would say what a pleasure it was to see the way staff greeted the many returning guests. Staff were always very friendly to us but, quite rightly, went the extra mile with those who had stayed there previously. Breakfast lunch and dinner always had a delicious selection of food and catered well for even a fussy person such as myself I was impressed with the layout of the very well-maintained grounds around the pool and my wife found it fairly easy to get me around them. With lifts at either side, it was not an issue getting up to the reception lounge area. We were also very impressed at the ground maintenance at the front of the hotel and enjoyed viewing the ancient foundations at the front of the building. Perhaps it would be good to have some signage telling guests about them? Prior to our visit, we knew it would be a fair push with the wheelchair to get to the lower terrace, but worked a way around it. With lifts at each end of the pool area, it was easy getting back up to the reception lounge area. It was on one of these ventures that, by chance, we found the accessible toilet beyond the library but this was not obvious until you were outside it. I wasn’t brave enough to try the outdoor pool as I thought it would be a bit cool, though my wife did use the indoor pool. There were plenty of beds with padded mattresses to lie out in the sun, with soft towels to enhance them. We did have a lift ride upto the indoor pool but did not use the sauna or indulge in treatments. Compared with other hotels that we visited in Paphos, the Christmas decorations were a little subdued but, other than the tree, one could not fail to be impressed by the giant clock made of Gingerbread biscuits that sprung up at the entrance. Three weeks in the making, I believe. The reception lounge was a nice place to sit, with super views out to the front. My wife also made used of the well stocked library. In concluding, I would again thank all the staff of the Annabelle Hotel for making our stay an enjoyable one. You ought to be proud of yourselves. To the management, please spend some more Euros and transform a few rooms to Accessible ones. Will we be back? I certainly hope so.

Transport & Parking

There was three disabled parking bays just along from the door with flat access

Access

The main access to the reception area was very good. Either the door was open or there would be a dorrman on hand to open it. All the doormen we encountered were very polite and helpful. In the three weeks we stayed there, we only had to managed the door on our own on three occasions.

Toilets

The accessible toilet we fould on the 'lobby area' was very good. There was also another on the level of the indoor pool.

Staff

If one could give more than 5, I would do so. All the staff we dealt with were excellent and went out of there way to make our stay an enjoyable one

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Undoubtedly it was the staff who made the hotel special. That said, the side views from the sea facing rooms were super, looking down to th Castle and seafront. Also the food was very good, and we didn't eat in the 'posh' restaurants. It is a shame the hotel does not have specific accessible rooms. This resulted in us requiring to hire in equipment at 8 euros a day to may the bathroom work for me. This was a real pity (see the main part of my review). Going by the number of mobility buggies on charge, I was not the only disabled person staying here. The location was also very good, making it easy to get down to the harbour area. One had to negotiate quite a gradient to get onto the seafront walk but it was certainly worth the effort. we would certainly look to going back and have already made inquiries. Unfortunately for the same holidays a year down the line, it is £620 more expensive. And that's before Brexit!

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