Royal Apollonia by Louis Hotels

The Royal Apollonia is a 5 star hotel boasting a prime beachfront location on the edge of Limassol. It offers peace and relaxation to guests who can unwind on the poolside terrace, in the fully equipped spa or the outdoor jacuzzi. A coastal beach path provides a direct link to a number of cafes, bars and restaurants.

The spa menu includes a choice of massages alongside facial & body treatments, with seven rooms, an indoor pool, a wet area and a Life Fitness equipped gym. But the stand out feature is the Dead Sea room that reproduces 31 climatic parameters of the Dead Sea. It even incorporates the use of natural salts and mud from the unique area between Israel and Jordan.

The main Dionysos restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Over the course of your stay you’ll have the chance to sample a variety of different foods thanks to themed evening buffets, these include Cypriot, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, international, gourmet and carvery. Alternatively, transport your taste buds to Japan at Akakiko where the menu features freshly prepared sushi, sweet & sour duck and lemon chicken. Meze by Elliniko, serving a Greek medley of aromas and flavours, provides a further option. Both Akakiko and Meze by Elliniko remain open between lunch and dinner, perfect if you want to eat at a less conventional time.

When it’s time for a refreshing beverage the Aphrodite Bar & Lounge is open from early morning until late evening, offering everything from coffee to cocktails. In high season the Ocean Blue Bar provides an additional option. It overlooks the pool on one side and has views out to the Mediterranean on the other.

Being a 5 star hotel, all room types are spacious and offer high quality amenities including bathrobes and slippers, plus fruits and bottled water on arrival. They are air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. For that extra special trip consider booking the Deluxe Spa Room, where you will have your own private jacuzzi. The four bedded option is ideal for families with young children.

Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus and thanks to the hotel’s handy location, the centre is just 15 minutes’ drive away. There’s also a local bus service for those who don’t plan to hire a car. The settlement has been inhabited since ancient times and has been under the control of the Byzantines, Anglo-Normans, Venetians, Ottomans and the British. An Archaeological Museum documents the rich and diverse history of the city, while you shouldn’t miss Limassol Castle, which was rebuilt c.1590.

For something a bit different visit the Holy Monastery of the Cats. According to the legend when a plague of snakes infested the island St Helena imported cats from Persia and Egypt to combat the problem. It is now a present day custom to house stray cats from the island here.