On 12 November, Anassa completed its 2018 season—the twentieth for the iconic Mediterranean resort. As the last guests checked out, preparations were already underway in the kitchen for the evening’s closing party. Thanos Hotels invites the 350 Anassa team members and their partners to join in this much-anticipated annual celebration of the season’s work. The hotel’s rotunda was laden with a generous buffet dinner featuring some of the kitchen’s best-loved offerings. After being seated in the ballroom, attendees enjoyed the music of a rembetiko ensemble, a performance of traditional Cypriot dances by Xoreftiko Singrotima Stavrosximos Pomou (including laundry employee Nedi Stylianou), and the ever-popular raffle. Everyone lined up hopefully for a piece of vasilopita cake—the lucky diner whose slice included a ring received a cash prize! After dinner, the crowd headed upstairs to the Sunset Terrace for dancing to music from Tefkros Neocleous and his band. A small carnival nearby included a photo booth, face painting, and a ring-the-bell game. As some team members bid farewell to their colleagues for the winter closing, a small group of maintenance workers looked ahead to next year. During the winter, they will be painting shutters, refinishing the sun loungers, trimming the gardens, and making technical upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of the property. Anassa opens for its twenty-first season on 1 April 2019.
