Heart & Limassol
Vibe
Calm, confident and classy. The five-star Royal Apollonia hotel in Limassol, Cyprus, gives a sense that they know what they are doing, without having to boast about it.
And that quiet confidence is backed up. Part of the Louis Hotel Group, it has 77 years’ experience in luxury hotels in
Cyprus and Greece. Yet it manages to maintain its family-run feel. From the front desk to the bartenders, the smiling staff have an unfailing warmth.
Akin to the feeling of stepping off the plane for the first time and being met by sunshine and your grandma who refuses to let you go hungry. It’s unsurprising that some guests choose to come back year after year.
Style
Wherever you are in the hotel, you get 180 degree views of the twinkling Mediterranean. And yet there was a tranquil sense of privacy.
The clever alcoves around the figure-of-eightshaped pool allow quieter areas that nestle you into a world of retreat. The hardest choice of the day will be whether you want to be closer to the private beach or the pool.
Opt for the pool to enjoy the ever-luxurious swim-up bar. The pool-bar cocktails, particularly the signature Cyprus Sky, are well-mixed and pleasingly strong.
Rooms
The 204 rooms draw on contemporary styling to achieve an understated sense of luxury. If you can, book one of the rooms with its own private Jacuzzi.
Sipping on the complimentary bubbles amid the bubbles looking out on that view will have you feeling like a modern-day Aphrodite. More than just a place to freshen up, the well-serviced rooms, complete with all the luxury bathroom amenities, give off romantic energy, which can
even be enjoyed alone.
Halloumi, feta, halloumi, moussaka and more halloumi. The Royal Apollonia puts on a buffetstyle feast fit for the gods. There are three dining options – the same buffet feast for lunch and dinner at Dionysos or a la carte options at the Japanese themed Akakiko restaurant, and Meze by Elliniko.
Spa Food and Drink
While the huge, open plan, bright lobby gives off an energetic opulence, the spa hidden away below is shrouded in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere enhanced by its design in wood and stone.
Access to the fitness room, pool, steam room and sauna are free of charge for hotel guests. I also opted for the Dead Sea mud experience, meant to be great for eczema. I was lathered head to toe in mud before relaxing in a warming room that emulates the exact conditions of the Dead Sea.
What to do
Situated in Limassol, the secondlargest city on the island, The Royal Apollonia is a short drive from the city centre and within walking distance from the tourist area where bars and restaurants are found in abundance.
You might not instantly associate Cyprus with wine but it’s heavenly when tasted overlooking the mountain peaks of Troodos, facing the magnificent
Mount
Olympus at the Vassiliades winery. Just try not to be taken in by the Zivania, the perilous Cypriot pomace brandy at up to 60% proof.
If you fancy a stop on the way, the Agrovino Tavern in the tucked-away village of Lofou is a must with its delicious meze dishes from the family-run, rustic taverna. The village itself offers beautiful honey-coloured stone cottages lining steep cobbled streets. A quintessential Cypriot village – or like a real-life Mamma
Mia! film set to you and me.
And if you’re after more history, follow the Limassol coastline to the ancient city of Amathus, Kolossi Castle and the amphitheatre at Kourion.
I was lathered in ‘Dead Sea’ mud before relaxing in a warm room
BOOK IT
easyjet holidays offers seven nights on half-board at the Royal Apollonia hotel in Limassol, Cyprus, from £891 per person. Depart from Luton on April 1, 2023 with 23kg baggage and transfers. easyjet.com/en/holidays
MORE INFO visitcyprus.com