Holiday like a King at the Anassa Hotel in Cyprus
Luxurious feel-good holidays in a prime Location by the Sea
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ANASSA - DREAM LOCATION BY THE SEA
I have already written about the many advantages of the island of Cyprus, which has 11,000 years of history. However, I'm not just raving about the country but also about a very special hotel on the West Coast. 'Anassa' means queen in ancient Greek - and I felt like a king in this five-star hotel. No wonder this hideaway is one of the 'Leading Hotels of the World' and has received several prestigious awards (including from Condé Nast). Built in a semi-circle around a quiet bay with a sandy beach in the style of a Cypriot village (with its own chapel), this temple of luxury has a total of 166 spacious rooms (including 40 suites, some with a private pool or whirlpool) in the main building or in one of the pretty white villas surrounded by cypresses, oleander bushes, and olive trees.
After a brief tour of the hotel, Rabah, the friendly concierge, shows me my chic room with a large terrace and a magical view of the garden and sea. I particularly like the striped, very comfortable loungers, and the sound of the sea puts me in a relaxed holiday mood. It's late on the day I arrive - tired from the long journey, I fall into bed and look forward to the next day.
SUMMER IN OCTOBER
It's late October, and it feels like summer. Temperatures around 25 degrees C are perfect for me, and that's exactly what I can enjoy in autumn in Cyprus. Of course, breakfast is served on the terrace under old olive trees with a view of the Mediterranean, and a few well-behaved cats keep me company. The friendliness of the hotel staff is striking - I observe how the staff greets departing guests warmly. All this puts me in a great holiday mood. After a tour of the extensive garden, I must enter the tempting sea.
A QUICK DIP IN THE SEA
Turquoise-coloured, well-tempered water and the view of the hills in the bay make swimming in the sea a pleasure. If I had more time, I would spend the day lazing on the beach. I take some time out on the sun lounger before exploring the surrounding area.
APHRODITE'S BATH AND THE BLUE LAGOON
The rental car takes me to the Baths of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty, in just a few minutes. A romantic path leads to a small grotto, the favourite bathing place of the beauty who, according to Greek legend, emerged from the sea on Cyprus. From here, there are various hiking trails high above the sea with breathtaking bay views. A pretty mountain goat crosses my path and poses briefly for a photo. In three hours, you can even hike to the Blue Lagoon, one of the biggest sights in Cyprus, reminiscent of the Caribbean. I'll tell you more about this in my report on Cyprus. I want to take this opportunity to thank the charming receptionist, Diana, who tirelessly gave me the best tips for my excursions.
CHARMING LATCHI
Hiking makes you hungry. I drive to the village of Latchi, ten minutes away, where I enjoy a delicious lunch on a terrace overlooking the marina at Café Noma (a great tip from Diana). The day couldn't have been better.
UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE AT THE ANASSA HOTEL
Of course, I have to take a closer look at the Anassa. I like the arched corridors and opulent staircases with mosaic floors and antiques. On the way to my room, I always pass an old loom. The hotel's high quality is matched by the small boutiques with chic fashion and handicrafts. However, I resist buying the beautiful blue shirt in the KULT boutique.
PERFECT PHOTO LOCATION
The fragrant terrace gardens and pool areas at Anassa offer perfect Instagram motifs. You can let Nikolas Michael, a former model and competitive swimmer, put you in the right light. The six-hour 'Ultimate Glamour Shoot' includes professional make-up and hair styling. For EUR 750 (as of November 2024), you can feel like a celebrity and post top photos on Insta & Co.
DINNER 'AL FRESCO'
The evening is still warm enough to enjoy dinner on the terrace of the Amphora restaurant (one of four in total). The Asian buffet with specialties from Indian and East Asian cuisine also offers plenty of options for vegetarians this evening. Of course, I also enjoy a wonderful local white wine, although the price of EUR 16 per glass is a little steep. No matter - after all, it's a wonderful way to round off a spectacular day.
HOMEMADE PRODUCTS
Incidentally, many of the products at Anassa are homemade, such as cheese, bread, patisserie, jams, and sauces. Everything is available gluten-, lactose- and sugar-free on request. You can find an overview of all four restaurants at Anassa here.
SPA OR SPORT?
Before I leave, I look at the Thalassa Spa, one of the best in Europe. If the weather hadn't been so nice, I would have spent a few hours in the indoor pool with a sauna and treated myself to acupuncture and a massage. However, the sun was too tempting. Fitness freaks get their money's worth with tennis, squash, beach volleyball, and various water sports (including stand-up paddling, diving, and windsurfing) or in the well-equipped gym.
'BESPOKE EXPERIENCES' - CUSTOMISED EXPERIENCES
During the pottery lessons with local artist Avgostinos, you can let your creativity run wild and have your masterpiece sent home. This activity is one of the so-called 'Bespoke Experiences' - customised experiences that will make your stay at Anassa even more interesting. Booking via the hotel's guest services (72 hours in advance).
SUSTAINABILITY AT THE ANASSA HOTEL
Sustainability in hotels - is that even possible? Frankly, it's not easy, but a lot can be done by using natural resources consciously. It may sound banal, but I am always happy when butter is presented in small porcelain bowls, not plastic packaging. Environmental awareness starts with the little things. Sustainability also means supporting the local population - a point that the family-run Thanos Hotels & Resorts have prioritized. You can find more information on this topic here.
'Its location right next to a national park and in largely undeveloped surroundings, as well as the personalised service, make the Anassa so unique. The bay has one of the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean and has been awarded a Blue Flag. The many regular guests appreciate recognition from the long-standing staff, and their wishes are known. Thanks to its spaciousness, the hotel never feels overcrowded,' says Sebastian Wust, General Manager at Anassa.
The Anassa Hotel is closed from mid-November to the beginning of April.
My conclusion:
* Luxurious yet relaxed atmosphere
- Several restaurants with excellent Mediterranean and international cuisine
- Award-winning Thalasso Spa area
- Best beach location and excursion options on the Akama Peninsula
- Marvellous garden with various pools
40 Alekou Michailidi Road, Neo Chorio, CY- 8852 Paphos
anassa@thanoshotels.com
+35726888000
Have you got a hankering for Cyprus? Then take a look at my article about this dream island.
ON TO PAPHOS
After the unforgettable days at Anassa, I travelled on to Paphos, where I enjoyed a few more days at the sister hotels Annabelle and Almyra. You'll find out more about this on my blog soon.
TRAVELLING TO CYPRUS
The island has two international airports, Larnaca in the east (8 km from the city centre) and Paphos in the west (15 km from the city centre). Larnaca is the largest airport and is served by numerous international airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss. The journey from Paphos Airport to the Anassa Hotel takes about an hour.
WEATHER IN CYPRUS
Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate with dry and hot summers (from mid-May to mid-October) and mild winters (from December to February). In the Troodos Mountains, it often snows before Christmas. Otherwise, Cyprus is spoilt by the sun. Even in December and January, there are still six to eight hours of sunshine daily. On the other hand, there is an average of 11.5 hours in the summer months!
July and August are the warmest months, with daytime temperatures of around 24 degrees C in the Troodos Mountains and up to 38 degrees C on the coast. January is the coldest month, with 3 degrees C in the mountains and 10 degrees C in the central plain. Even in November, the sea is still a pleasant 22 degrees C before it cools to 15 degrees C.
*My trip was supported by Thanos Hotels and Visit Cyprus. However, this has not influenced my reviews in any way.*
