Anassa

Anassa, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property in Polis, Cyprus, consistently receives high praise as one of the finest hotels in Cyprus and the Mediterranean. Guests frequently describe their stays as "nothing short of spectacular".

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Anassa consistently garners "exceptional" ratings from guests, with high scores for cleanliness (9.8), comfort (9.8), staff (9.7), and location (9.6). The general sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many considering it the "finest hotel in Cyprus and one of the best in the Mediterranean". It's lauded as a luxurious retreat that perfectly blends elegance with a relaxed Mediterranean charm, appealing to both families and those seeking an intimate escape.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Anassa:

• Service: The "super staff and service" are frequently highlighted as world-class, characterized by loyalty, generosity, kindness, intuition, and attentiveness.
• Location: The stunning, secluded hillside location on the edge of the Akamas National Park, overlooking Chrysochou Bay, is a major draw. The beautiful, clear beach and crystal waters are also highly appreciated.
• Design & Ambience: The Byzantine-styled, low-rise resort, designed like a traditional Cypriot village, exudes a classical ambience and enduring elegance. Its brilliant white buildings are noted to "glisten in the sunlight." The hotel boasts beautiful green territory, vast gardens, and a grand structure that looks proudly across the bay.
• Amenities: Anassa features a 150-meter secluded beach, three main swimming pools, a fabulous multi-award-winning Thalassa Spa with an indoor Romanesque pool, a gym, and a variety of water sports facilities including a PADI Five Star Gold Palm Dive Centre. Excellent childcare facilities, including a crèche and kids' club, are also key highlights for families.

3. Room Quality

Anassa offers a wide choice of 166 rooms, suites, and residences, encompassing 9 room categories, 11 suite types, and 4 residences.

• Spaciousness & Design: Rooms are generous in size, with Garden View rooms starting at 41 square meters. Many rooms and suites feature high ceilings, lending an airy feel. Furnishings, designed by Joëlle Pléot and handmade by local artisans, create a cool Mediterranean style.
• Comfort & Views: All rooms offer large comfortable beds, "sink-into armchairs," and hardwood or marble floors. Most rooms enjoy glittering sea views from step-out balconies or terraces.
• Features: Some suites boast fireplaces, sun terraces, or private plunge pools, enhancing the luxury experience. In-room amenities include flatscreen TVs, DVD players, mini sound-systems, espresso machines, minibars, and Acqua di Parma toiletries.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel provides a "delicious collection of restaurants & bars" and four "culinary gems" offering a world of gastronomic indulgence.

• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet is frequently described as "unrivalled" and "outstanding," offering a wide variety of fruits, pastries, omelettes, smoked salmon, cold cuts, and cheeses. Gluten-free options are also available.
• Restaurants:
  • Amphora: A relaxed main restaurant for buffet breakfasts and all-day dining, with cooking stations for fresh omelettes and fish, and tables extending onto an olive-shaded terrace with sea views.
  • Basiliko: An intimate and romantic Mediterranean-fusion restaurant, known for its low vaulted ceilings and traditional wine cellar feel, generally child-free (children over 12 are permitted).
  • Helios: Offers formal fine-dining with a grown-up menu and a serious wine list, typically child-free.
  • Pelagos: A jaunty taverna by the pool, open during the summer months.
• Other Dining: Beach barbecues with bouzouki players and a Cypriot-style 'village fête' are held once a week in summer. The hotel also prides itself on using local produce, including olives from its own groves for oil and marinades.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Anassa is consistently praised as exceptional, with staff members being a key element of the hotel's success. Guests highlight the staff's "loyalty, generosity, kindness, intuition and care" and describe them as "amazing, friendly, professional and accommodating." The attentive and professional demeanor of the staff ensures a relaxing and seamless guest experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

Anassa is situated in a tranquil and secluded part of Cyprus, on the north-west coast, at the edge of the Akamas National Park. It offers breathtaking sea views and is away from the hectic bustle of more popular tourist hotspots.

• Nearby Attractions: The resort is close to the coastal village of Neo Chorio, the Baths of Aphrodite, and the beautiful Blue Lagoon. Latchi, with its fishing harbor, is a short drive away, offering boat trips. The Akamas region itself provides opportunities for jeep safaris, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking.
• Transport: Paphos International Airport (PFO) is approximately 45 minutes (45 km) away, while Larnaca International Airport (LCA) is about a 2-hour drive (185 km). The hotel can arrange private transfers, and car rental is recommended as public transport is limited in the area. Complimentary on-site parking and electric vehicle charging stations are available.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury 5-star resort and a Michelin Key Selected property, Anassa's pricing reflects its high-end offerings. A double room typically costs around €550 per night in the off-season and can rise to €750 in July. Online listings indicate Garden View Rooms starting around $671, Studio Suites with Sea View around $800, and One Bedroom Suites around $1988. Kayak data suggests an average weeknight price of $764 and a weekend night price of $668, with September being the cheapest month and October the most expensive. Despite the premium cost, guests generally consider Anassa to be "worth the cost" for the luxurious experience, stunning location, excellent service, and high-quality dining.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms and recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Pillow Comfort: One minor gripe mentioned was that pillows could be on the hard side, although a pillow menu might be available to address this.
• Evening Entertainment & Kids' Activities: Evening entertainment is sometimes described as minimal, and kids' activities receive mixed reviews.
• Spa Policy: The spa has a policy not allowing children, which some guests found surprising or inconvenient, especially if the spa was not busy.
• Isolated Location: While many appreciate the secluded nature, the isolated location means limited walkable dining options outside the hotel, requiring a drive or taxi to nearby Latchi for alternative restaurants.

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