The Best Resorts in Cyprus for Every Traveller

Staying at Columbia Beach is like falling into an Instagrammer’s dream. Every angle of the hotel is supremely photogenic, from the reflections of the palm trees in the gin-bottle blue pool to the ornately carved stone walls. Restaurants here use herbs and fruit grown in the resort’s aromatic gardens, and the wooden-beamed rooms all look out over the serene local landscape – guaranteeing a picturesque balcony breakfast every morning.

There’s not one but seven signature shows at this action-packed resort. In fact, entertainment is the name of the game, with a themed restaurant and a different lagoon pool for every day of the week. A high-energy group of kids’ entertainers leaves adults free to bake in the sun while being brought cooling cucumber slices and face sprays. And the rooms? Spacious, airy and (thankfully) far from the main entertainment areas – a good night’s sleep practically guaranteed.

It’s the views that grab you first. Biscuity rocks crumble into the cerulean sea, which is so clear that you can practically see the fish wriggling along the seabed. Admire the scenery from the private balcony jutting out from your room, the door to which is locked and unlocked by the touch of your smartphone. Don’t miss out on the entertainment bar with local DJs and musicians serenading you over a glass of wine.

The walls of Capo Bay are alive with eclectic art pieces, including olive roots suspended from the ceiling as you enter the lobby. Why? The hotel regularly commissions local artists to decorate its walls and foster community. There are four restaurants on offer, five if you count the Dinner 4 2 experience that involves a specially prepared hamper and moonlit private table on the beach.

When you can let the kids loose on waterslides and watch them from a Jacuzzi, you know you’ve come to the right place. Adams Beach is a haven for those with youngsters. However, those without should go for the deluxe adults-only wing. Not only will you escape the bus seat-like carpets in the standard rooms, but you’ll also have exclusive access to Atlantis Restaurant, which is worth it for the dessert bar alone.

When you think of paradise, the image is usually an idyllic combination of white sand, leafy palms and glistening turquoise waves. You’ll find all three at Asterias Beach Hotel. Rooms are neutral-toned and polished – and it doesn’t hurt that each private balcony offers panoramic sea views. Keep yourself hydrated at rooftop Panorama Bar, where the sunset vistas go down as well as their piña coladas.

It’s all about colour at this cheerful hotel – from the red-on-red restaurant (stay on theme by ordering a Merlot) to the fiery flash of fish underneath the terrace, aptly-named Koi Bar. Bedrooms are dressed in olive satin sheets and oak furniture. The azure waters of the prettiest beach in Limassol are only a few flip-flop thwacks away.

The first iteration of Ayii Anargyri came in 1649, when brothers Cosmas and Damianos used Miliou’s sulphur waters to heal the sick. 350 years later, and the ruins have been transformed into the rustic resort you see today – a flagstone courtyard surrounded by stone buildings and unspoilt countryside. You can’t stay here without a visit to the spa, which, although slightly dated, offers soothing treatments utilising the same historic healing waters.

Village life has never seemed so sophisticated as at this honey-hued hotel. Sitting on the outskirts of Mandria, it is a golf lover’s haven, with three of the best courses in Cyprus within 10km (6mi) of the resort. For activities of a different flavour, explore the local landscape via four legs (horseback) or two wheels (bicycle) before heading to one of the brilliant village tavernas in Mandria. Try the pork chops at lively Klimataria (be warned, the portions are huge).

From its name to the azure cushions scattered atop snowy linen beds, this resort takes its Mediterranean theme seriously. Carpets and a location just a few metres from a sandy beach shouldn’t work, but the hotel exudes just enough quiet confidence – and daily vacuuming schedules – to pull it off. Longing for life below the waves? The friendly staff can hook you up with scuba diving lessons at one of the best schools in the area.