I went to Vegas-like holiday resort in Europe with glamorous concierges, adventure parks & island's biggest pool complex
This vast five-star resort features a super-casino, restaurants, bars entertainment and 500 hotel rooms — and is the first of its kind in Europe allowing guests to roll the dice after a dip in one of its many pools.
3
3
Insiders tell me it's just the start of ambitions to transform the area into a hybrid of Miami and Vegas within the next five years.
If my two nights at the resort, near Limassol, were any indication, they are well on their way.
Stepping inside, I was struck by the obvious luxury — guests are welcomed into a grand marble lobby lined with designer shops.
Within seconds a glamorous concierge appears with a hot towel for your hands as a bellboy collects your bags.
Moments later I was window shopping on my way to my suite, spotting Burberry, Gucci, and Dolce and Gabbana collections.
Decorated in pine tones, my room felt like my very own Nordic spa with a massive tub, separate shower room, and a huge bed with pillows I melted into.
The showstopper was the view from the balcony looking across the resort — the largest pool complex in Cyprus and a mecca for families and big kids like me.
As well as the sparkling multiple pools surrounded by palm trees for shade, water slides and rapids there's a dedicated adventure park that will keep even the fussiest child happy.
It features an 18-hole miniature golf course, zip-line coaster, climbing wall, high ropes obstacle courses and a huge playground.
The resort's Kids' City is open every day from 10am to 8pm with supervised activities for four to 12-year-olds and by night there are movie and theatre evenings with free popcorn.
For those seeking a different type of thrill there is of course the casino. While Mum and Dad enjoy a flutter, a gaming room offers snooker and retro arcade favourites like Pac-Man and table hockey. Large sofas face wall-mounted TVs with gaming consoles on hand to keep the teenagers busy.
A short drive away from the hotel are sandy beaches and the vibrant city of Limassol with its regenerated marina and lavish yachts bobbing in the waters.
Arming myself with a coffee from Paul bakery, I walked along a boulevard of chic cafes and restaurants you would see on any posh British high street — Jamie Oliver's, a Wagamama, and multiple Greek tavernas.
From there it's an easy stroll into the old town along cobbled streets that lead to Kolossi Castle.
In the Middle Ages, Cyprus was a target for Crusader campaigns to the Holy Land, and this 15th-century fortress is filled with treasures from the time.
Exhibits of ancient pottery, oil lamps and coins from Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman eras are on display in the great hall. I found myself marvelling at tombstones bearing intricate carvings of Crusader knights and ancient symbols.
In the belly of the castle is an even older underground chapel which is dark, windowless and quiet. It was here that King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) married Berengaria of Navarre.
I felt time stop for a moment, and could picture the bride and groom standing next to the very stones of the ancient altar in this peaceful underground grotto.
Stunning frescoes
Amazingly you can taste the oldest wine in the world that was served at King Richard's wedding, called Commandaria, on a visit to the village of Agios Konstantinos.
The excursion can be arranged at the City of Dreams Mediterranean hotel's front desk. Another must-do trip is to the charming village of Omodos, in the heart of the Troodos Mountains.
Renowned for its traditional stone houses, Omodos is a picturesque spot and at its centre lies Timios Stavros Monastery, which dates back to the early 1800s.
The preserved Byzantine church is filled with wood carvings and stunning frescoes.
After a day spent exploring Cyprus's history, or enjoying the adrenalin rush of the casino, the City of Dreams Mediterranean's cave-like spa is the perfect spot to rest weary feet.
This was my favourite place and I could feel my muscles immediately relax in the sauna, before booking myself in for a massage.
With entertainment and relaxation options nailed down at the hotel, I couldn't wait for dinner at one of the four restaurants. As well as a buffet, there are three speciality restaurants serving French, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine.
3
The Amber Dragon, sibling of a two-star Michelin venue in Macau, serves up sushi and sashimi, dim sum and stir-fried classics as well as the best BBQ roasted duck I'd ever tasted.
A chef prepared shreds of the mouthwatering bird in front of us as little baskets of pancakes and dishes of greens were laid out — I was in food heaven.
Next up were the divine Shanghai dumplings that melted into a little soup, while dessert was a golden dumpling treat that resembled an ice-cream Scotch egg.
Afterwards I headed to the casino's roulette table. I was hoping it was my lucky night!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
BBC star reveals horror after landlord recorded naked images on hidden spy cam
A BBC actress has told of her horror after discovering her landlord planted a spy cam in her bathroom. The Scots star — who has appeared in prime-time comedies and dramas — found the recording device hidden in a washing basket after taking a shower. 4 4 4 She fled the flat before watching back the footage and finding intimate clips of herself — plus an image of the creep changing the memory card. Cops have launched a probe. Last night the telly star said: 'I was in a state of absolute shock. He filmed me when I was at my most vulnerable.' The performer told how she moved into the property in France last July after a break-up with a boyfriend. Her 40-something landlord — whom she believed was a drug user — soon seemed suspicious. The actress recalled: 'Something didn't feel right with him.' Later she found two holes drilled into the bathroom wall which she plugged with cotton earbuds. And the night before she found the recording device she claimed the sicko spiked her drink. She recalled: 'It was like something out of a horror movie. 'I always used to notice this little black dot in the washing basket across from the shower. 'I never in a million years thought he'd be spying on me. But given what had happened the night before, I went to have a closer look. 'My heart just stopped and I burst into tears. There was a green light flashing on the camera. 'I knew that it was on and I was being recorded.' Initially she remained in the bathroom and switched off the lights fearing the sicko could be waiting outside 'with a knife'. Eventually she packed a bag and fled the property before returning with cops days later. She eventually plucked up the courage to watch the video and was horrified saying: 'I was in complete shock.'
BBC News
44 minutes ago
- BBC News
'I got everything I wanted but the Claret Jug'
Rory McIlroy was determined to soak it all in this time. Six years ago, when the Open Championship returned to Royal Portrush for the first time in 68 years, the star attraction chose isolation. He tried to live out the week in his own world and let everything else happen around week, he has embraced home comforts and accepted the adulation, from his red-eye Monday practice round through to being roared on by thousands on the 72nd hole. He has given people his time, signed countless autographs, acknowledged adoring fans in between shots. He even gave everyone a bonus look at the Green result has been a week that, in his words, had everything but his second Claret Jug. His consolation was one of the most emotional receptions he has ever experienced on a golf course. As he strode towards the final green on Sunday, McIlroy admirably held it together. Clearly, it wasn't easy."I tried as best as I could to keep my emotions in check, especially walking up the last there and that reception," said McIlroy, who closed with a two-under 69 to finish seven adrift of Scottie Scheffler."It's been an awesome week. I've gotten everything I wanted out of this week apart from a Claret Jug, and that's just because one person was just a little bit better than the rest of us."I feel so thankful and just so lucky that I get to do this, I get to do this in front of this crowd. Hopefully I'll have one or two Opens left here, if the R&A decide to keep coming back, probably one while I'm still competitive and another one while I'm more grey than I already am." McIlroy's play was a microcosm of his career. At times, he was a showman (Saturday's eagle on 12), while at others he got in his own way (three bogeys in four holes on Thursday and a double at 10 on Sunday). Ultimately, he gave himself too much to do going into the final round. Trailing Scheffler by six, McIlroy needed quick birdies to ignite the crowd and make the frontrunner as uncomfortable as possible. A two-under 34 on the front nine failed to do that and when McIlroy frittered away two shots on the 10th, it was clear the championship was beyond his reach. The crowd remained huge, but the energy was different to Saturday, and that "keep your head up, Rory" could be heard regularly was a reflection of a challenge fizzling out. "I felt like I did nine, and 10 today were the ones that killed me," he added."Not that...I was never going to get to 17-under, I don't think." What's next for McIlroy? A tie for seventh drew the curtain on an unforgettable major season for McIlroy. It started with the career high at the Masters as he realised a lifelong ambition and finally completed his career Grand Slam. A month later, he barely broke into the top 50 at the US PGA Championship, but his week was overshadowed by a failed driver test and his media shutout. He let his temper get the better of him at times at the US Open, but the emotions stirred by Portrush were much more positive. Now, he can reflect during a down period, before finishing out his season with the FedEx Cup play-offs and the Ryder Cup in New York. "I feel like being back in Europe for a bit was a nice reset," said McIlroy, who added he will maintain a light playing schedule in order to be "fresh" for Europe's bid to retain the Ryder Cup. "Yeah, I feel like I'm getting back to where I want to be, and we've still got a lot of golf left this year with obviously Ryder Cup being the big one in there in September." 'Scheffler the bar we're trying to reach' McIlroy was keen to praise Scheffler during his final meeting with the media at Portrush. Since the Northern Irishman's triumph at Augusta, Scheffler has responded by doubling his major tally and ticking off another two legs in his own slam hunt. "None of us could hang with Scottie this week. He's an incredible player. He's been dominant this week. Honestly, he's been dominant for the last couple years. He is the bar that we're all trying to get to."In a historical context, you could argue that there's only maybe two or three players in the history of the game that have been on a run, the one that Scottie's been on here for the last 24 to 36 months. Incredibly impressive."Finally, having buried the pain of 2019, McIlroy was asked about the prospect of Opens at Portrush in the future. "I think Portrush has quickly turned into one of the best two or three venues that The Open goes to. Talk to every player this week, and they won't say one single bad thing about the golf course."Then I just think the way it sets up, from a logistical standpoint, I think the R&A have worked so well with the local government to make sure everything runs smoothly. "It's only been six years since 2019. I'm not sure Portrush is going to have The Open every six years, that would be nice, but I would obviously love it to keep coming back."If and when it does, McIlroy will be front and centre. Whenever that is, he'll know which approach to take.
The Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Sun
Manchester City ace John Stones ties the knot with girlfriend Olivia Naylor in intimate Ibiza wedding
MAN City defender John Stones is now united — after marrying his fiancée. The Manchester City centre-back, 31, tied the knot with stunning property developer Olivia Naylor, 36, in an intimate ceremony in Ibiza. 3 3 They wed in front of just 40 guests at the ultra-exclusive Hacienda Na Xamena on the holiday isle. The couple exchanged their vows on Friday before hosting a champagne pool party to celebrate the following day. A source said: 'They love Ibiza and wanted to marry in their favourite place. 'They invited just 40 of their closest friends and family and spread it out over four days. 'They organised a pre-wedding party with all the guests wearing white, except the bride and groom and the three kids who were in black. 'The wedding itself was beautiful and everything they dreamed it would be. 'Everyone is absolutely thrilled for them.' after England lost to Spain in the Euros final last summer. He took her away for a sunshine break in the wake of the heartache and dropped to one knee. Olivia celebrated her engagement with an 'intimate' dinner party for close friends. She then jetted out for a hen party in Las Vegas as Stones played for Manchester City in the Club World Cup. They returned to the UK before flying out to Ibiza over a week ago. They couple began dating in 2019 and had their first child together in January 2023. Olivia gave birth just weeks after Stones returned from the World Cup in Qatar.
