Columbia Beach Resort hotel review: a stylish, family-friendly stay in Cyprus
Occupying a prime spot just a pebble-skim from the water's edge of Pissouri Bay, on the southern coast of Cyprus, this five-star beachside resort is a haven for families, couples and singles alike. The hotel's quiet location, on a secluded bay between the bustling cities of Limassol and Paphos — a 30-minute drive from both — guarantees convenience and quiet. The resort offers old-fashioned luxury, with elegant interiors and design features that mimic traditional Cypriot villages. Comfortable rooms combined with three upmarket restaurants, two swimming pools, a gloriously inviting spa and wellness suite, and plenty of children's activities make for a tempting mix. Service is efficient and friendly throughout the resort.
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Score 9/10The 169 guest suites are spacious and homely, with ceramic floors, rustic ceiling beams, mahogany furniture and characterful, heavy wooden doors. Suites range from Juniors catering for two people through to larger Executive options. Six of the Family suites, which come with two bedrooms, have interconnecting doors to a junior suite to accommodate larger groups. Rooms are decorated in a calming cream colour palette, while thick curtains and comfortable chairs come in Mediterranean hues of aqua, caramel and sunset pink.
All suites have an outside area, be it a wrap-around balcony, smaller balcony or garden, depending on which class of room you choose; some of the top-level Eagle's Nest suites have their own private pool. Bathrooms continue the elegance, with marble and glass decor and walk-in showers (most also come with a bath tub).
Score 8/10Dining at the resort's three top-notch restaurants is as much about their views out over the dramatic Pissouri Bay coastline as it is about the food. At the hotel's main restaurant, the relaxed Cape Aspro, dishes are inspired by Mediterranean and pan-Asian cuisine — highlights include salmon and tuna crispy rice, roasted miso-glazed aubergine, and creamy lobster ravioli — served alfresco on the terrace. Elsewhere, the Apollo Tavern specialises in classic Cypriot dishes such as souvlaki, moussaka and a delicious kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb). The more formal, Italian-themed Bacchus, with its moody lighting, crisp white table linens and sparkling crystal glasses, is the place to head to for a romantic meal for two under the stars.
An excellent à la carte breakfast is served at Cape Aspro, and there's a buffet-style affair at Bacchus featuring all the classics (eggs, fruit, pancakes, freshly baked bread). Six bars, including a swim-up pool bar, serve up expertly crafted cocktails and mocktails — at the indoor-outdoor Eros bar, try the Aperol Twist, made with premium vermouth and pink grapefruit soda, or a spicy, rum-based Pink Sailor.
• More great hotels in Cyprus• Best beaches in Cyprus
Score 9/10The award-winning Hebe Spa, named after the ancient Greek goddess of youth, has a lovely indoor-outdoor pool and six treatment rooms where massages and facials incorporate Elemis products and ingredients that grow on the island, such as lavender flowers. Spa sessions for children are available in the mornings. There's also a kids' club for those between 4-12 years and a crèche for babies and toddlers. The resort offers a wide choice of water sports, including waterskiing, wakeboarding, pedal boats and jet skis (though all come at an extra cost).
Score 8/10The hotel occupies a prime beachside spot in Pissouri, on the south coast between Paphos and Limassol. The nearest airport is Paphos, around 30 minutes' drive away. Although the hotel is served by public buses, hiring a car would be ideal for those wanting to explore more of Cyprus. Pissouri's lively village centre, where you'll find plenty of characterful bars and tavernas, is a five-minute drive. Ten-minutes drive away is the architectural site of the ancient city-state and kingdom of Curium, dating to around 1100BC, with its well-preserved mosaics.
Price B&B doubles from £270Restaurant mains from £26Family-friendly YAccessible Y
Carole French was a guest of Columbia Beach Resort (columbiaresort.com)
• Best luxury villas in Cyprus• Best family hotels in Cyprus
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