St. Nicolas Elegant Residence

St. Nicolas Elegant Residence is a huge three-pearl apartment hotel that looks very much like a gigantic condo complex at first glance. The hotel consists of multiple cream-colored Mediterranean-style buildings with traditional tile roofs and shaded parking at their bases. Instead of a proper lobby there's just a small office-style reception area with a couple of sofas. Most guests hang out by the pool or in their rooms, as there isn't much in terms of common areas. The property attracts plenty of Russian and British travelers of all ages, and lots of families during school breaks. 

This complex is located on an inland hilltop and is a bit too removed from local attractions to be a good fit for guests without their own cars. There’s a charity shop benefiting pets around the corner and a a Pizza Hut and gas station down the street, but otherwise not much of interest within walking distance. There’s a branch of the popular discount supermarket LIDL a five-minute drive from the hotel down on the main coastal road, and here travelers will find plenty of places to eat and drink, including a British pub and an Indian restaurant as well as a number of local tavernas. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Tomb of the Kings is a seven-minute drive from the hotel. The Paphos Archaeological Park takes 17 minutes to reach. Coral Bay is a 15-minute drive north, while it takes around 15 minutes by car to get to Paphos (or 20 minutes to the airport). The Adonis Baths waterfalls are a half-hour drive from the hotel and it takes about two hours to reach Mount Olympos. Nicosia is a two-hour drive away. The larger Larnaca International Airport takes 90 minutes or so to reach. 

This property offers Studio, One-Bedroom, and Two-Bedroom Apartments, plus Two-Bedroom Townhouses. Studios measure 35 square meters (377 square feet) and have kitchenettes with full-sized fridges, tables for two, and washing machines, plus small sofas in the main living areas. However, they are a little cramped to accommodate more than a couple, and families are better off in a One-Bedroom Apartment. All of these measure 50 square meters (538 square feet) and have sofa beds in the living rooms plus tables for four. Two-Bedroom Apartments measure 72 square meters (775square feet) and have two bathrooms along with two bedrooms and a sofa bed, sleeping up to six. The Two-Bedroom Townhouses clock in at 70 square meters (754 square feet) and have two bedrooms on the upstairs level.

Decor across room types is consistent, if a little dark, with off-white walls and light-wood finish furniture and paneling, cream tile floors, and a mix of black and off-white kitchen appliances. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs with DVD players and irons and ironing boards. Wi-Fi is included in rooms and throughout the hotel. Furnished balconies are semi-enclosed, which leads to a lack of sunlight in rooms, though this can be a relief during hot summer months. Bathrooms are simple with brown and tan tiling and shower/tub combos.

Features focus on vacation, but some of them miss the mark. At the heart of the resort is a gigantic lagoon pool separated into two sections with a rock-lined mini-waterfall feature, plus a small splash pool off to one side. For a pool of its size, there aren't that many lounge chairs, so guests wanting to sunbathe may want to stay elsewhere -- or drive down to the nearest beach. There are also a couple of smaller pools paired together with a similar rocky section divider tucked between a couple of the resort's buildings, plus a small seasonal indoor pool and an adjacent fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment. Other wellness facilities include a treatment room with beauty treatments and massages, plus a sauna and a whirlpool hot tub. Back outside, there are a couple of tennis courts and a playground for kids. Bike rentals are also available. While the hotel doesn't offer much in terms of animation-style entertainment, there is a small cinema with movie theater-style seats. Though the hotel attracts the self-catering set, it also offers a bar, plus a restaurant with a la carte and buffet offerings. Note that the food is not of very good quality and there isn't much selection. Note that Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There's ample free on-site parking.