On my first visit to Cyprus, I had the pleasure of staying at the Anassa Resort, a stunning hotel that opened its doors in 1998 and has since established itself as the 'grand dame' of Cyprus. The name Anassa means 'Queen' in ancient Greek, and it couldn't be more fitting for this majestic retreat.
Anassa, the barefoot 'Queen of Mediterranean life retreats,' is an exclusive haven that offers guests the ultimate Mediterranean hospitality and lifestyle. With a loyal and discerning clientele from all over the world, it's a place where you'll feel truly privileged. The resort's gracious and unassumingly regal atmosphere embodies the Mediterranean joie de vivre, with hospitality that is instinctive and devoted, with a staff that clearly goes out of their way to make guests feel special, encapsulating the Mediterranean way of life—generosity, authenticity, heritage, excellence, harmony, and integrity.
Location: Paphos, Cyprus To get to this property, you would fly into Paphos airport and then be transferred to the resort (approximately one hour away.) An alternative is to fly into Larnaca and arrange a private transfer to the hotel (2.5 hours total.) The location was part of its charm as it is private (and self-contained) with panoramic views, its own private beach, and multiple pools. You could spend your entire holiday on the property and have a different experience every day.
The Resort and Offerings Staying at Anassa is about experiencing quintessential pleasures to perfection. It's about living the Mediterranean dream and finding inspiration to enjoy life's countless riches beyond the obvious monetary wealth. As an exclusive beachfront resort, Anassa warmly embraces families, offering exceptional facilities and amenities. The resort's philosophy revolves around genuine care and a personal touch, delivering unscripted excellence at every turn, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident in your choice of stay.
The interior design beautifully reflects Cyprus' rich cultural heritage, featuring Roman mosaics, Greek motifs, and Venetian frescoes. With 175 rooms, studios, and suites, Anassa offers extraordinarily spacious and luxurious accommodations. Many of the rooms have balconies with panoramic sea views (which is what my Jr Suite had,) and some feature private plunge pools and whirlpools on sea-facing terraces. I found the room extremely comfortable with every detail thought of. My favorite touch? An elevated nightly turndown service consisting of an inspirational quote (relevant to the moment) accompanied by a fresh flower. A magical way to end the day.
Dining at Anassa is a treat, with four outstanding restaurants: Basiliko, Helios, Pelagos (a great lunch spot), and Amphora. A highlight is the nightly gathering on the main terrace, where cocktail hour features signature cocktails and gorgeous sunsets. Make sure you ask your server about the specialty cocktails! This was an absolute highlight for me as I discovered the most spectacular cocktail (with the most impressive presentation) I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot.
Spa and wellness at the Thalassa Spa The refurbished Thalassa Spa specializes in the latest health and beauty treatments, providing a perfect haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. Here, I experienced one of the most exquisite facials I have ever had ( I am “the” facial queen who gets one at every opportunity!) As anyone who knows about facials will attest, products are key, and the products from Subtle Energies exceeded my expectations! Subtle Energies is a results-based aromatherapy, natural skincare, and wellness solution founded on authentic Ayurveda principles. Their product range and treatments have been created with the intent to address multiple skin and body concerns while delivering high-performance results that empower one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
There are also many out-of-the-box experiences available to guests staying at the property. I always try to experience something new when I’m on vacation, so I signed up for two things that were out of my comfort zone but that I was interested in. The first was ‘Sound Bathing,’ which was very calming, and I liked it, but the second was absolutely amazing! It was described as ‘Shamanism,’ which is “humanity`s most ancient traditional method of healing, problem-solving and maintaining balance within one’s self and society.” Really, I had no idea what that even meant, but I would highly recommend it. The class taught by Shamanic practitioner Triona Martin Andronike is fascinating. The experience blew away my friends and me.
My stay at Anassa was an unforgettable introduction to the elegance and charm of Cyprus, and I can’t wait to return and explore more of this beautiful island and the resort that genuinely lives up to its name as the queen of Mediterranean life retreats.
Click here to read the article in Traveling Greek.