Is Imperial Island Resort in Cyprus good for families? Our review

If you could take a swim and be granted eternal youth, would you? Because that’s the sort of thing you’ll need to take into consideration when you visit Paphos in Cyprus. Greek Goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, hails from this Mediterranean island and has lent her name to a blanched rock in the southwest that promises to do what your Botox lady cannot (provided you have the stamina to circumnavigate it three times).

Alternatively, laze by the palm-fringed, slushy-blue pool at Imperial Island Resort, 25-minutes drive up the coast, ferried cocktails by chirpy waiters as you indulge in some well-earned me-time. Don’t worry, the children will be well looked after; this recently revamped hotel (now officially a five-star resort) has just re-opened with refreshed family facilities and kids clubs for little ones all the way up to teenagers. Go on, have another Aperol spritz.

The premium all-inclusive family resort has been repositioned with modern families in mind following the first phase of the major refurbishment. Holidaymakers can now enjoy newly renovated accommodation, upgraded restaurants and refreshed public spaces, with an ambitious new waterpark set to open in 2027. No promises on what slides do for longevity, however…

Paphos, Cyprus

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The reception, lobby, entrance and public areas have all been redesigned

Location and first impressions

One of Imperial Island Resort’s biggest advantages is its location; sitting just 12km from Paphos Airport, it offers a quick and easy transfer that is particularly welcome when travelling with children.

The hotel occupies a prime seafront position close to Paphos Harbour, the town’s lively waterfront promenade (try Theo’s restaurant for the best fish) and the Archaeological Park. The latter is ideal for introducing young’uns to Greek myths and legends thanks to its exquisite – and intact – mosaics (although, admittedly, the kids I spot are more interested in the free WiFi signs…). Public buses also stop just 100 metres away from the resort, making it easy for families to explore without hiring a car.

Following the refurbishment, the fidget spinner-shaped property feels bright, fresh and contemporary. The reception, lobby, entrance and public areas have all been redesigned. Palm trees (there are even some in the atrium), spacious lawns and wide-open pool areas help give the resort a roam-free vibe, while the shoreside setting means Mediterranean views – and the area’s famous sunsets – are never far away.

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Superior Family Room with Sliding Doors

Accommodation for families

Accommodation is one of the areas that has seen the most significant investment. The resort now offers 239 newly renovated rooms and suites, all designed in soft neutral tones inspired by the Med.

More than half of the hotel’s rooms have been converted into family suites as part of the refurbishment programme, the standout being the Superior Family Room with Sliding Doors. Sleeping up to four guests, these rooms feature a double bed and two sofa beds separated by chic rattan sliding doors, creating a more practical layout for families than a traditional open-plan room. Parents can enjoy a little privacy once younger children have gone to sleep, while everyone still remains together in one space.

Rooms include balconies or terraces, walk-in showers, bathrobes and slippers, Egyptian cotton bedding, Nespresso machines, complimentary minibars on arrival, daily water replenishment and ultra-fast Wi-Fi.

Families wanting additional space can opt for the Two Bedroom Suite, which offers 52sqm of accommodation with separate double and twin bedrooms.

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Imperial Island Resort kids’ club

Facilities for kids

Kids will thrive here should you want to bed into that airport thriller. The newly introduced Kids’ Club caters for children aged two to 12 and includes indoor and outdoor play spaces supervised by professional children’s animators. Younger guests can enjoy climbing frames, slides, seesaws, role-play stations, soft-play facilities and creative activities designed to keep them entertained throughout the day.

A dedicated outdoor soft-play area was added during the revamp and provides another space for younger children to burn off energy between pool sessions.

Older children haven’t been forgotten either. One of the resort’s most notable additions is its dedicated Teens’ Club, complete with gaming stations, a Photo Booth zone, computers, gaming chairs, billiards, table football and social spaces.

The resort also offers a playground, giant outdoor games, archery and family-friendly sports activities throughout the day.

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Activities for all ages

Families who enjoy staying active will find plenty to do. Sports facilities include tennis, volleyball, badminton, aerobics, archery, water polo and French boules. You’ll find the daily activity schedule in the lift, and the variety is FOMO-inducing, from stretching sessions and aqua gym to darts and quizzes.

Evenings centre around a newly transformed entertainment venue. Previously the hotel’s ballroom, this space has been converted into a modern entertainment hub featuring state-of-the-art equipment, a DJ booth and bar, creating a dedicated venue for evening shows, live music and family entertainment.

Adults seeking a little downtime can retreat to the refurbished spa, which offers a sauna, Jacuzzi, fitness room, massages and beauty treatments. I can’t help but eye up the “Chocolate Magic” on offer, featuring “chocolate scrub and chocolate oil” – perhaps best not to mention that one to the kids, or they might come looking for dessert.

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The resort features two outdoor swimming pools

Pools & beach

Water is a major focus here – even if soaking will prune rather than rejuvenate. The resort features two outdoor swimming pools, including one recommended for adults seeking a quieter atmosphere. Younger guests have access to two dedicated children’s pools, including a shallow splash pool with water games.

The larger family pool caters to confident swimmers, while the direct beach access makes it easy to alternate between pool and sea throughout the day (although for superior sands, head to Coral Bay, a 27-minute drive away).

New (prettily stripey, very swish), comfortable sunbeds and umbrellas have been introduced as part of the refurbishment, helping families settle in comfortably whether they choose the poolside or beachfront – and eliminating the potential for morning lounger litigation.

The family offering is set to become even stronger in 2027, when the second phase of redevelopment is completed. Plans include an extensive waterpark with waterslides, two additional family pools and a dedicated splash zone with interactive water features for younger children.

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Pygmalion Handmade Burger Restaurant

Dining for families

The Premium All-Inclusive package includes buffet breakfast (gloriously extensive – Turkish (well, Cypriot) delight and comb-plucked honey for brekkie, anyone?), lunch and dinner, snacks, desserts, afternoon treats and unlimited selected drinks. Maintaining a goddess-worthy waistline is tough going here.

The Vela Main Restaurant offers extensive buffet dining alongside live cooking stations and themed evenings seven nights a week, serving a mixture of local Cypriot specialities and international favourites.

For a change from buffet dining, guests can book the Fiki Japanese Fusion Restaurant, which serves contemporary (and tasty) Asian-inspired dishes, or the Pygmalion Handmade Burger Restaurant, offering a smorgasbord of gourmet burgers (honestly, you’ll struggle to pick just one) and family-friendly favourites. Both venues were upgraded as part of the refurbishment.

Children are well catered for with dedicated buffets and special menus, while the all-inclusive concept allows families to eat flexibly throughout the day without worrying about extra costs.

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Vela Main Restaurant offers extensive buffet dining

Why families should book it

It’s fly-and-flop fab with the added bonus of history and culture in abundance just around the corner – not to mention some of the clearest seas around along the coastline (do book a boat trip out if you can).

On a practical level, the renovated family suites at Imperial Island Resort offer flexible sleeping arrangements, the dedicated Teens’ Club caters for an age group often overlooked by resorts, and the extensive all-inclusive programme takes much of the planning out of a family holiday. Wrinkles might not be permanently banished, but you’ll feel the benefits – Goddess-given or otherwise – of switching off under the Cypriot sun and letting holiday relaxation mode kick in.

If not, you can always have another spritz.

There are various dining options to pick from

Rates

Rooms at Imperial Island Resort start from approximately €236 per night for two adults on an all-inclusive basis. Family rates vary according to season, room type and occupancy.

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FAQs

Q: Is Imperial Island Resort suitable for toddlers?

A: Yes. The resort offers cots free of charge, shallow children’s pools, a playground, soft-play facilities, kids’ menus and a supervised Kids’ Club for children aged two to 12.

Q: Does Imperial Island Resort have a kids’ club?

A: Yes. The Kids’ Club caters for children aged two to 12, while a dedicated Teens’ Club provides entertainment and social spaces for older children.

Q: How far is Imperial Island Resort from Paphos Airport?

A: The resort is approximately 11km from Paphos Airport, making transfers quick and convenient for families.

Q: Does Imperial Island Resort have family rooms?

A: Yes. More than half of the hotel’s rooms have been converted into family suites, including family rooms with sliding-door separation between parents’ and children’s sleeping areas.