If you’re looking for a traditional two week holiday or a short break to relax and ‘re-charge the batteries’, the beautiful island of Cyprus and a stay at the Columbia Beach Resort is well worth considering. It was certainly high on my wish list. Legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, Cyprus, the 3rd largest island in the Med, is a holiday destination that many Brits have fallen in love with over the years. There are still strong links with the U.K., English is widely spoken, the people are very friendly and even drive on the left, so you’ll immediately feel at ease here. I did.
Getting to the island is relatively easy with daily direct flights from London taking in the region of 4 hours. Flights are operated by a number of airlines so it pays to shop around for the best deals. Cyprus is usually bathed in sunshine from March to late October with June to September being particularly hot. You’ll find plenty of things to do from immersing yourself in the fascinating history of the area, to shopping or simply relaxing and enjoying the fabulous climate.
Columbia Beach Resort
Pissouri Bay, with its 2Km stretch of blue flag beach, is situated in the south west, just a short drive from Paphos airport, and it’s here you’ll find the Resort. There are just 94 suites at the hotel with many of them overlooking a beautifully landscaped pool area which is immaculately maintained with comfortable loungers, a swim-up bar and discreet but attentive staff. The Resort is set amidst spacious gardens leading down to the beach. I found this to be an impressive five star luxury location with a fantastic view across the glistening blue and turquoise sea. A number of couples and families I spoke to were equally impressed, some of whom were on their second and third visit.
Paved paths, overshadowed by olive trees and sub-tropical palms, lead to the suites, hotel and through the gardens to the beach. The suites are modern and spacious with all the amenities you would expect plus an exclusive range of Molton Brown toiletries renewed each day. If you’re thinking of holidaying with the family a children’s club operates in the main holiday periods which is suitable for children aged 2 to 12 years and supervised activities include games, competitions and art facilities.
Spa
The Columbia Beach Resort is very proud of its beautiful Spa, and rightly so. With a sauna, steam room, gym and spa treatment rooms this is one of only 20 Molton Brown Spas worldwide. They specialise in a superb range of massages and therapies including the marine-based Phytomer range and the recently launched anti-aging beauty and spa range – Daniele de Winter. I took advantage of a relaxing Spa afternoon with a most professional back massage followed by the steam room which I found both relaxing and invigorating.
Sport
If a round of golf takes your fancy there are three championship golf courses in the vicinity. Nearby on the beach I found a water sport organisation called Surf Cyprus. This is an ideal location for water sports and these guys were offering a great range including kite-surfing, windsurfing, kayaking and water-skiing. Water sports are usually available from April through to November.
Dining
The Beach Resort is a five star hotel but it’s not overly formal. In the summer months breakfast and dinner can be eaten outside and many people like to dress up a little for dinner whether dining in the International Dionysos restaurant or in the relaxed and informal Apollo Taverna which allows for alfresco dining on the terrace. There are a number of bars and lounges to relax in and the Poseidon Pool Bar offers a great lunchtime menu.
In the true spirit of Aphrodite I fell in love with this Beach Resort and for me, looking for a relaxing luxury break, this certainly ticked all the right boxes.
For further information their website is www.columbia-hotels.com
