Following an extensive two-year renovation of the Paphos Beach Hotel – the town’s first ever seaside hotel which first opened in 1972 – Thanos Hotels launched the Almyra in June 2003.
Almyra opened as a high-end 4* property but, after seven years of successful operation and international recognition, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation officially classified it as a 5* property in June 2010.
Almyra is the hipper, younger sister of world-renowned Anassa and Annabelle and offers the ultimate in ‘resort chic’. Set within eight acres of landscaped gardens right on the beachfront, its 189 rooms and signature suites feature rooftop terraces and breathtaking views of the historical fort and fishing harbour.
The mastermind of Parisienne interior designer, Joëlle Pléot – whose previous projects include Coco Chanel showrooms and Karl Lagerfeld’s private home – Almyra is proud to be the first and only member of Design Hotels in Cyprus.
Almyra allows guests the advantage of being right on the water whilst also in walking distance from nearby boutiques and restaurants, the castle, house of Dionysos (with its unparalleled Roman mosaics), three golf courses and many other attractions in and around the Paphos area. Its sister hotel, Annabelle, is also a neighbour so guests of Almyra have use of extensive facilities including a six-acre tropical garden and its cascading waterfalls and free-form pools.
Almyra’s facilities – including four swimming pools, innovative dining options, extensive chemical-free spa and revolutionary Baby Go Lightly childcare facilities – ensure it defies categorisation and offers a contemporary hotel that attends to every need of the discerning traveller.
ACCOMMODATION
All 189 rooms and suites at Almyra have a spacious Mediterranean feel, with custom-designed furniture, cool fabrics and state of the art amenities. Their nine accommodation types include: Inland View Rooms; Terrace Garden View Rooms; Superior Sea View Rooms; Veranda Sea View Rooms; Terrace Sea View Rooms; Aethon Sea View Rooms; Sea View Junior Suites; One and Two Bedroom Suites and; the unique Sea Front “KYMA” Suites with private terrace and roof top terrace.
Equipped with cable and satellite TV, video on demand, in-room entertainment centre, including AM/FM radio, complimentary wifi access, CD players, minibar, turn down service and hair dryer. Bathrooms include the finest toiletries and bathing amenities.
Kyma Suites, Almyra’s signature suite, are situated in the gardens in a privileged seafront position, close enough to hear the waves (‘Kyma’ in Greek) of the Mediterranean. This spacious open-plan suite has a sitting and bedroom area with spectacular sea views. The bathroom is lavishly appointed, with a separate rain shower and natural daylight. The suite opens to a private seafront terrace with a sofa and a dining table. A king size ‘day bed’ on the lawn adds an extra touch of extravagance. Panoramic views of Paphos harbour can be enjoyed from the private roof terrace with its additional seating area. Additional features include an expresso machine and DVD / CD players.
In 2008, Almyra introduced the new and luxurious Aethon Sea View Rooms. Ideally located on the second & third floors next to the new spa, the stunning views over Paphos Harbour and the beautifully landscaped Mediterranean gardens, these rooms have been recently renovated to a high standard to include spacious balconies, walk-in showers, custom-designed oak furniture and king size beds (twin beds and/or additional bed available on request).
Though functional, sensible and understated, Almyra’s rooms are about comfort, contemporary feel and convenience.
ALMYRASPA
Set within landscaped gardens with views across the sea, Almyra Spa reflects the contemporary style and resort chic that characterises the hotel, with a focus on organic products from JUST PURE as the premium brand and natural marine based skincare therapies from the Osea product line.
Using ‘natural raw materials, fresh plant extracts, cold-pressed plant oils’, the Spa’s philosophy is to create a holistic approach through health, beauty and fitness. It is the first spa in Cyprus to offer JUST PURE’s lifestyle concept which uses controlled organic cultivation, produced exclusively in the rhythm of the moon. Also available is JUST PURE’s vegetarian health and fitness menu to compliment treatments and meet increasing desire of spa-goers to meet the ‘internal and external’ phenomenon for total wellbeing.
Furniture is all custom made, and the fabrics and colour scheme are light and natural to echo the soothing tones and clean lines of the hotel. The Spa is home to six single-treatment rooms, two Vichy rooms, one double suite all with water therapy, natural light and views across the sea.
In addition, there will be two luxurious suites with an outside deck for yoga and meditation, and a tranquil garden where guests can enjoy the light Mediterranean cuisine of the Gourmet Eauzone Restaurant with its therapeutic tonics and teas. With an indoor and outdoor pool and an extensive gymnasium with views across the sea of Paphos Castle, guests will receive the very best in spa luxury.
JUST PURE Signature treatments include:
• Fragrant Flower Ritual – a rose milk exfoliation, aloe rose frangipani rinse, followed by a precious rose blossom and neroli oil body massage, complete with Wild Rose oil facial massage
• Fruit Frivolity – An Aloe Vera enzyme body polish, followed by berry butter milk rinse and body envelopment with blue berry crème pack. A scalp massage with Sallow Thorn Lemon Oil completes the experience.
• Mountain Herb Retreat – A Cedar Sandalwood body buff, Eucalyptus Sage body rinse, plus therapeutic body massage with Mountain Herb blended oil, plus extremity pampering with Jasmine Sandalwood.
FAMILY FACILITIES
Baby Go Lightly
Baby Go Lightly offers parents the opportunity to order every manner of baby item on-line in advance of travelling, so all that is left for you to do is to carry baby on board, with plenty of room for your holiday gear. All items ordered will be waiting in-room on your arrival.
From pre-ordering a car seat in the taxi or rental car airport transfers, to specifying the language for in-room story books and DVDs, to providing in-room amenities such as potties, high chairs, dry and swimming nappies, nappy bins, sterilisers, extra bottles and teats, baby gyms, carrier pouches, child buggies, baby walkers, baby bath amenities (including baby lotion and baby powder), bottle warmers, crayons and colouring books, baby travel wipes, swimming flotation aids, lavatory training seats, and baby bathtubs, Baby Go Lightly has it.
Smiling Dolphin Club
Older brothers and sisters need not feel left out as the complimentary Smiling Dolphin Club offers a whole treasure trove of entertainment for guests aged 4 to 12 years. Activities include cooking classes, t-shirt printing, beach games and treasure hunts. Evening activities are also available.
Baby Go Lightly Crèche
Following the phenomenal success of Baby Go Lightly online service, Almyra in Cyprus is continuing to blaze the trail in child friendly designer chic with the introduction of the Baby Go Lightly Crèche.
A real rarity for a hotel crèche in Europe, the Baby Go Lightly Crèche is available for all guests aged from 4 months to 3 years inclusive, offering fun, supervised play and stimulating activities in a caring and welcoming atmosphere, under professional supervision. Almyra has enlisted the expertise of a UK company, which has over 20 years of experience in running quality crèche facilities in hotels, resorts and clubs worldwide and which will operate the Baby Go Lightly Crèche.
Nowhere is more perfect or geared up for babies and toddlers than Almyra; in addition to baby-friendly services offered as part of the wider Baby Go Lightly programme, the hotel also has a shallow swimming pool shaded by billowing awnings on hot summer days. Running from the April to October, the Baby Go Lightly Crèche offers parents a truly professional service with qualified and experienced staff on hand to look after babies up to six days a week. All Crèche staff are qualified nursery nurses and English-speaking.
The Hercules Teen Club
Also new for Summer 2010 is The Hercules Teen Club (located at the neighbouring Annabelle) which will offer young adults fun and exciting activities, in a safe environment and is available for all guests aged from 13 to 16 years. Hercules activities include: sailing, tennis, scuba diving, movie nights, kayaking, banana boating, ten pin bowling, table tennis, windsurfing, surfing, games, waterskiing, squash, cooking lessons, snorkelling and trips to the local market. A dedicated Teen Zone will offer a meeting point for new friends and a multitude of games, table football, air hockey, Wii, TV and DVDs.
All the Teens activities are organised and run by Worldwide Kids Company, the same company that operates the Baby Go Lightly and Kids Club, and who are highly experienced at giving guests’ children fun and exciting activities whilst on holiday.
DINING
Four exceptional and individual restaurants present an array of contemporary Mediterranean inspired dishes to offer a different taste every night.
Notios is Almyra’s al fresco à la carte restaurant, which draws inspiration from the purity of Japanese food and fuses this together with the bursting flavours of Mediterranean cuisine. A strong advocate of experimentation, the result is a menu created from original and simple modern ideas.
Almyra’s Executive Chef has produced a series of surprise tasting menus (ranging from five to nine courses), which he calls ‘Omakase’, meaning, “trust the chef” in Japanese. Each course reflects a different texture and flavour. The chef is happy to discuss the suitability of a particular menu the day before. Omakase dinners can also be arranged for private dining on the roof terraces of the Kyma Suites. Notios is open for lunch and dinner in summer, but only weather permitting during the day from November to March.
Zen Meze, a trademark of Almyra, is influenced by the ambiance of the Notios area, where the waves come crashing in as the sun meets the horizon. Offering meals in the meze style makes the experience more enjoyable for families or large groups. It becomes more than just a meal – it turns into a social event as the guests share the various dishes. The Zen Meze makes use of dishes from the Á la Carte Menu and these are served in the meze style. As the various dishes are prepared they are placed in the middle of the table and the guests share them together
Mosaics is Almyra’s main restaurant and it is here that guests can enjoy lavish buffet meals. Featuring a live kitchen, the flavours are varied and the theme of this restaurant is an assortment of Mediterranean and international flavours. Exciting theme nights such as Seafood Market, Asian-Pacific or Cyprus Traditional complete the casual dining experience.
Located at beach level, Ouzeri is a traditional seaside summertime restaurant, focusing on light Greek snacks and simple local Cypriot dishes. Depending on the weather, the Ouzeri also offers barbeques at night on the beach where it is situated, and live Greek music is played some evenings.
Eauzone is AlmyraSpa’s restaurant, directly adjacent to the Spa. A relaxing poolside haven with unobstructed sea views. Snack on light bites with an Asian twist or refresh with a therapeutic tonic or tea.
Helios Lounge Bar is the perfect setting to enjoy an evening sundowner, with a magnificent view overlooking the sea and the Paphos Castle in the distance. Fresh, ground coffee, delicious pastries, cakes and light refreshments are served throughout the day, as well as cocktails and drinks.
ACTIVITIES
Swimming Pool & Other Sporting Facilities
The hotel itself has two freshwater pools, one of which was rebuilt to be especially child-friendly. There are an additional two pools – one indoor and one outdoor – located at Almyra Spa.
A floodlit tennis court, table tennis equipment and gymnasium are also on hand for a spot of holiday exercise.
Watersports
For certified divers, there are excursions to various dive sites around the island, including various bays around the Akamas Peninsula, and even the Zinovia shipwreck near Larnaca for advanced divers. For beginners, diving lessons can be organised.
Other watersports available include parasailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and waterskiing. Enjoy private chartered sailing trips around the Paphos coastline and to the secluded bays of the Akamas Peninsula. All watersports are available from April to November, during other periods they are available weather-permitting only. All watersports activities are provided by an external company.
Golf
All year golfing becomes a reality in Cyprus with three golf courses situated within easy reach of Almyra. The superb 18-hole championship, par 72 Minthis Hills Golf Club, offers golfing enthusiasts the opportunity to play in winter and summer alike. Located just 14km from Almyra, the course is suitable for players of all abilities, and with a PGA Pro on hand to offer help and advice, they will offer a challenging round to even the most experienced golfer.
For those who relish variety, there is also the Secret Valley Golf Course. Situated at Petra Tou Romiou, 18km from Paphos, the 18-hole course plays to a par 72 and measures over 6,300 metres. Clubhouse facilities include a large chipping area, a driving range and video coaching for improved technique.
Aphrodite Hills is perched on two plateaus at 300 meters above sea level overlooking the Mediterranean. It caters for all abilities, has a first class Academy including a 350 metre double-ended practice range with bunkers and targets. The PGA qualified resident golf instructors are on hand for any assistance with playing the 18 hole championship standard course that plays to a par 71 and measures 6299 metres.
Excursions
A wide variety of excursions and day trips are available to discover the real unspoiled heart of Cyprus. There is something for everyone from a jeep safari into the dazzling Akamas peninsula to wine tasting excursions or a visit to the Byzantine monastery of Chrysorroyiatissa. In addition, rock-climbing, mountain-biking, pony-trekking and hill-trekking activities are available.
Shopping
Mare Nostrum Boutique, situated in the entrance courtyard of the hotel retails a range of international and local designer shoes, clothing, jewellery and leather goods, as well as all the items you might need on your holidays. Designer brands that are stocked include Prada, Miu Miu, Acqua di Parma and Heidi Klein swimwear.
Meetings & Events
Almyra is the perfect location for a whole range of functions from fashion shoots, wedding receptions, birthday parties, conferences, dinners and product launches.
There are several, highly adaptable spaces to choose from including the Mosaics, Mosaics 1, Danae, Helios Room and the Athena Boardroom. Like every other aspect of Almyra, attention to detail is paramount, providing the best state-of-the-art facilities, highly trained professionals and a magnificent, self-contained setting.
Weddings
Almyra are on hand to take care of all the finer details of wedding planning. Fine food and expert service will ensure that the big day goes smoothly. Allow Almyra to arrange anything from a gala banquet for 100 to a candlelight dinner for two. Tailor making the perfect day is what Almyra does best.
DESTINATION
Getting there
Cyprus has two international airports, Paphos and Larnaca. Almyra is a mere 8km from Paphos Airport (PFO) and 130km from Larnaca International Airport (LCA). Cyprus Airways, British Airways, Easyjet, Thomson, Jet2, Monarch, Thomas Cook, all fly to Cyprus from the UK, with daily flights from Cyprus Airways, British Airways and Easyjet.
Climate
The hotter months are from June – September with temperatures often exceeding 30˚C. However Cyprus is a great all year destination with temperatures rarely falling below 17˚C in December and January. There is hardly any rainfall in the summer months, although it is more common in the winter.
Currency & Language
Since January 2008, the official currency in Cyprus is the Euro. The official language in Cyprus is Greek, although English is widely spoken and understood.
Travel tips
Electrical current is 220/240 volts AC, supplied at 50 Hz. Cyprus is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC), and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST).
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Almyra Hotel Contact Informations
Almyra Hotel *****
Almyra Hotel, Poseidonos Avenue 8042, Paphos, Cyprus
Τel: / Fax: 00357-26887000 / 00357-26942818
Website / Email: www.thanoshotels.com / almyra@thanoshotels.com
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