BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

The New Place To Be Seen On The Southern Coast Of Cyprus

Following
This article is more than 4 years old.

The Cypriot coastal city Limassol has long attracted travelers for its harborfront, beaches and old town with medieval castle, but recent years have seen a surge of development with landmark architectural projects appearing along the coast. The latest development to make its debut is the just-opened luxury hotel Amara Cyprus designed by SB Architects, David Rockwell Studio and WA Interiors. With such prominent names behind its design and dining concepts including a restaurant by Nobu Matsuhisa, this has quickly become the place to be seen in the coastal city.

The hotel is certainly big—it has 207 guest rooms across its 11 floors—but it still manages to feel exclusive and personal. This intimate feel is largely down to the appealing design, from its slabs of white stone, warm wood and swathes of marble to its sculptural elements and thoughtful design accents complementing the modern furnishings. Landscaped gardens of ornamental pools, olive trees and palms then surround the infinity pools overlooking the narrow black sand beach and Mediterranean Sea.

As well as providing each space with uninterrupted views, this position on the coastal road to the east of the city comes with a story. The development lies within the area of Limassol that was home to the ancient royal city Amathus until around 300 BC. Ruins from this civilisation lie close to the hotel and an ancient wall found during the construction of the hotel now takes pride of place in the relaxation area of the sprawling spa.

DINE

The reason for a lot of the anticipation surrounding this opening among people from the city was the prospect of its three gourmet restaurants — there was a wait-list ahead of the opening for signature dining spot, Matsuhisa Limassol, by the esteemed chef and restaurateur Nobu. This restaurant is joined by Ristorante Locatelli, by the Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli, and seafood restaurant Armyra by Papaioannou, as well as a hotel-guests-only rooftop bar with city and sea views. Dine on Italian plates like linguine with lobster and roast monkfish with walnut and caper sauce on the sea-facing terrace of Ristorante Locatelli and try the cocktails at the buzzy Matsuhisa Bar before tucking into the famous chef’s signature dishes in the sophisticated dining room.

RELAX

For many people, it would be worth coming here just for the spa, which, developed by Raison d’Etre, was designed around the site’s archaeological finds. Inspired by ancient Mediterranean rituals, this wellness space offers a laconium, caldarium and tetradarium thermal experience, as well as drawing on Cypriot traditions for treatments like the Cyprus Ancient Ritual using oils and plants from the island. Follow an Organic Pharmacy or Carita treatment with time in the sauna, relaxation area with juice bar and open-air saltwater pool, or head to the well-equipped fitness area and indoor lap pool. Tennis courts are situated on top of the lobby garden.

STAY

One of the hotel’s points of pride is that all 207 rooms and suites are sea-facing. Designed to feel immaculate and tranquil, each room comes fitted with marble floors, white wooden slatted screens and touches of blue with floor to ceiling glass doors leading out to a spacious balcony. Four standalone bungalows with private pools sit on the beachfront and the Amara Suite takes pride of place on the hotel’s panoramic 9th floor — this presidential suite encompasses two bedrooms, a lounge and dining area decorated with objets d’art from around the world, marble bathroom with Jacuzzi and huge veranda with private pool. All rooms have complimentary minibar and daily treats are brought to the room.

EXPLORE

Jump in a taxi or hop on the local bus to follow the coastal road towards the center of Limassol, its restaurant-lined marina and old town. Start with a stroll along the waterfront before navigating the streets between Limassol’s Medieval Castle, Great Mosque and Agia Napa Cathedral, stopping by the cafes and shops in between. On longer stays, seek out the most idyllic beaches along this stretch of coast and see another side to the island by exploring the wine villages of Paphos.

Follow me on Twitter