07-03-2025
The chic Cyprus hotel for every kind of holidaymaker
The words 'chic' and 'child-friendly' don't often sit together, but Anassa beautifully manages to be both. Located on the Akamas peninsula in northwest Cyprus, this member of the Leading Hotels of the World is a haven for families of all ages, but equally pleasing for couples and friends.
Whitewashed Cypriot-style low-rise buildings are strung along the coast and gardens of the large yet elegant resort, whose look is inspired by a Byzantine village – think terracotta roof tiles, blue shutters and flowering bougainvillea draping from balconies.
Inside, rooms feel fresh yet luxurious, with light marble floors, white walls and a palette of blues on cushions and sofas. Most come with uninterrupted sea views, others with pools. And the bathrooms? Think mini spas complete with Acqua Di Parma amenities.
As well as its village-like charms, there's a real showstopper of a beach – a long swathe of secluded sand lapped by the Mediterranean Sea. It's the perfect depth for swimming, or settling into a long relaxing day of reading on a plush lounger, while kids will love paddling. But there's so much more for children here than the beach, as perfect as it is. The Mythos Kids Club takes babies from four months old (which is a rarity) while activities for children up to 12 include baking, pottery lessons, treasure hunts and archaeology sessions. Making things even easier for families is the Baby Go Lightly programme, meaning items like potties, baby walkers, swimming aids and even buggies can be ready and waiting for you in your room when you arrive.
It may be a hotel for families over the summer, but it's a hotel for foodies through the season, too. This is the only hotel in Cyprus to make its own cheese, breads, pastries and jams – and that attention to detail extends to every meal, whether you're dining on French Mediterranean cuisine while listening to a harpist perform, or tucking into meze at the shaded al fresco taverna. There are four restaurants to choose from – some of which are adult-only – and a sommelier is on hand to help you choose your new favourite Cypriot wine.
As for other things to do – how about a pottery class with Cypriot potter Avgoustinos, who has been working with clay for more than three decades? You may prefer to visit the watersports centre on the sand, venturing out on a paddleboard. Or you could try a sound bath or Shaman experience, an ancient spiritual practice that uses traditional methods to promote wellbeing.
Then there's the multi award-winning Thalassa Spa, with 18 treatment rooms, restorative jet sprays and salt water baths drawn from the Mediterranean. The indoor pool, with its columns and marbles, is a luxurious place to relax, but really you're here for the staggering selection of treatments, including the Augustinus Bader facial (a brand that has partnered with Victoria Beckham), which uses Bader's signature products, from its cleansing gel to its famous face oil. If that's not enough for you, then there are algae body wraps, seaweed polishes and massages to relax and de-stress too.
