Cyprus Travel Guide - The Best Hotels in Cyprus

Almyra Hotel Pool

British Summer Time may often seem to be a contradictory term, but if you're in need of a sprinkling of sunshine while our own thermometers struggle to hit double digits, the island of Cyprus offers a year-round respite only 4 hours away by plane.

While the peak temperatures of July and August may be overpowering, Cyprus is an ideal destination for the spring and autumn.

Cypriots cite September and October as their preferred time with the water temperature just right for swimming, but a visit in April proved that spring on Cyprus offers beautiful weather, quiet streets and a chance to combine a horizontal holiday with visits to the country's historic and archaeological sights.

Anassa Hotel

Undoubtedly the grande dame of the island, Anassa has a majestic position on the shore of Asprokremnos Beach, one of Cyprus's most beautiful beaches.

Anassa Hotel Cyprus

Anassa Hotel Cyprus

The property was designed to resemble an ancient Byzantine village: white washed building with clay roof tiles and pretty duck egg blue doors and shutters are scattered around a stunning landscape with mesmerising views of the coastline.

Anassa Hotel Cyprus

Anassa Hotel Cyprus

Anassa features a total of 176 rooms, all of which have a balcony or terrace, many with private pools or Jacuzzis.

Anassa Hotel Cyprus

Anassa Hotel Cyprus

A spacious room with a large bathroom, sitting area and walk-in wardrobe, the highlight was sitting on the terrace with an aperitif watching the sun set behind the mountains while trying to hide the occasional longing glance at the private pool of the suite below.

Anassa's three restaurants mean that you could spend a week here without getting bored of the food, but we found ourselves at Basiliko on each night of our visit - the hotel's gourmet restaurant focuses on Asian flavours set in a stone cavern that feels hidden away from the rest of the hotel.

Anassa Hotel Cyprus

Anassa Hotel Cyprus

The Thalassa Spa focuses on all things organic and holistic whilst also offering the QMS Medicosmetics range of treatments and products. My holistic jasmine and olive treatment including an invigorating full body scrub followed by a massage that both hydrated and healed.

Translating to Queen in English, long may Anassa reign over Cyprus.

Almyra Hotel

Almyra Hotel by Sea

Located on Paphos's beach front area, Almyra is Anassa's cool sister with a more contemporary look and feel.

Almyra Hotel Cyprus

Almyra has an excellent location from which to explore Paphos and the neighbouring boutiques, restaurants and buildings of historic importance.

Almyra Hotel Room

Almyra Hotel Cyprus

Almyra's 189 rooms have an understated, Mediterranean feel with light colours and contemporary furnishings. Our Kyma suite was light, airy and modern in style, opening on to a private terrace with sun loungers and direct sea views with an additional roof terrace that was ideal for sunset drinks.

Almyra Hotel Cyprus

Almyra Hotel Paphos Port View

While not usually keen on a buffet, Almyra's main restaurant, Mosaics, offered a nightly assortment of Mediterranean and international flavours (depending on the specific day) that highlighted local ingredients in a chic setting and thankfully stayed clear from the all-you-can-eat style that I initially feared.

Almyra Hotel Pool

Almyra Hotel Pool

Continuing with the overall feel of the hotel, Almyra's spa is contemporary in style without compromising on luxury or quality, with a number of treatment rooms, an outside deck for yoga, and a separate adults-only pool that looked serene.

The Almyra's neighbour is its sister hotel, Annabelle, which is more traditional in style but with a similar theme and high service levels. Guests at either hotel can enjoy full use of all the amenities and facilities at both, and guests are sometimes known to move between the two until a favourite is found.

The UK is by far Cyprus's biggest market and it's easy to see why. With winters that seem to linger into spring and beyond, the knowledge that spring and autumn can bring glorious sunshine with a short plane journey is enough to get you through.

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You can follow Emyr on Twitter at @BonVivantLiving or read his luxury lifestyle and travel blog here.
Emyr ThomasFounder of Bon Vivant Concierge Service

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