Hotel Anassa  

There are hotels – and then there's the Anassa Hotel. Put simply, it's gorgeous, but in a cool, under-stated kind of way. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, it's on the edge of the protected Akamas peninsula, near Latchi. It's a really unspoilt part of Cyprus loved by botanists and ramblers, so as you'd expect, the views alone are worth writing home about. Think rugged mountains and velvety-green pines set against a blue, blue Med. And the beach is real a talking point, too.

Private and pretty in equal measures, Asprokemnos is an Eden-like outpost where you can forget about the world for a week or two. Or longer if you're Hollywood legend Leonardo di Caprio, just one of the stars who's checked in of late. The hotel itself has been thoughtfully designed to complement the landscape. It looks a bit like a miniature Cypriot village - it even has a village square complete with its very own church. Whitewashed villas with terracotta roofs rise up out of gardens pruned to perfection.

Talking of gardens, that's one of the first things you'll notice here – all the greenery. Plants, shrubs, trees and blooms are everywhere you look. And if you don't notice that straight away, it's probably because your eyes are fixed on the pool scene. There are three in all, with a jaw-dropping infinity pool taking centre-stage. There's a swim-up bar, too, so you can order your Mai Tai without even getting out of the water.

Turn your attentions inside, meanwhile, and you'll see why this luxury hideaway is so well-loved by the well-known. Picture a sea of polished marble. Huge columns. Graceful arches. Not to mention sweeping staircases and fabulous domed ceilings. Colour-wise, the palette echoes the sunny colours of the Med while huge terracotta pots add a hint of rustic chic to the place. As to the rooms, they're ultra spacious and contemporary. They've all got private balconies with sea views and some suites even have private plunge pools and whirlpool baths.

Rooms aside, one of the standout features here is the food. Master chefs have sourced aromatic garden herbs and farm-fresh produce from local villages to create culinary masterpieces. There are four restaurants to choose from, among them Basiliko. Venture down the chunky stone staircase into a cavern that was made for cosy meals for two. Then there's Helios, a Mediterranean number whose specialities include handmade pasta, net-fresh seafood and local meats. This is the place to try things like chargrilled ostrich tenderloin on garlic and lemon mash potato. Fine dining aside, there's always the option of a casual beach barbecue where romantic sunsets and bouzouki music come as standard.

Finally, we can't talk about Anassa Hotel without paying homage to the new-look Thalassa spa. Will you go for a facial with rose crystals? A body wrap with organic Greek yoghurt, honey and essential oils? Or just a good old-fashioned massage? When you're done being pampered, head for the indoor pool. All polished marble and lavish columns, it's more like a Greek temple. Luxurious and tranquil, the palatial Anassa Hotel really is fit for royalty - fitting then that its name means 'queen' in ancient Greek.

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