Located on the beach and sea views from every room, the elegant The Amara Hotel Cyprus has restaurants from two Michelin starred chefs says Judith Baker.
The Amara Hotel – Amara is a Greek word meaning everlasting – is just a 50-minute taxi ride from Paphos international airport and 10 minutes from the quaint town of Limassol.
The hotel was opened in July 2019 and was designed by SB Architects, David Rockwell Studio and WA Interiors who have created a stylish property inspired by the rich heritage of Cyprus.
With lush landscaped gardens, infinity pools and luxurious rooms the hotel is chic and sophisticated and staff are friendly with attention to detail. The icing on the cake is that each room has a sea view.
Who for
The hotel has plenty of romance about it so couples love it. Families and groups looking for relaxed elegance would feel at home. Foodies will love the gastronomic offering here with two Michelin-starred chefs having restaurants in the hotel.
Accommodation
The Amara Hotel has 207 opulent rooms and suites each with amazing sea views. All are decorated in a neutral style with comfortable beds and sofas and interesting artwork.
The marble bathroom has both a bath and a rainforest shower. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and rooms have a well-stocked minibar, an LCD TV and kettle and a coffee machine.
There are also suites and cabanas suitable for families.
Food & Drink
Breakfast is a fully loaded buffet with gluten free options and cooking stations so you can have your eggs as you like them.
The highlight is that the hotel has two celebrity chefs: NOBU Matsuhisa (the man behind the eponymous Nobu brand), and Giorgio LOCATELLI (founder and chef behind Michelin-starred London restaurant Locanda Locatelli).
At the AMARA, NOBU Matsuhisa has opened his Nikkei spin-off – Matsuhisa Limassol – complete with all its noteworthy staples that combine Japanese cuisine with Peruvian flavours, including legendary signature dishes such as: Salmon karashi su miso, Black Cod with miso, White fish with dry miso, Rock shrimp tempura, New style sashimi and NOBU sushi and sashimi Meanwhile, Giorgio Locatelli’s Italian restaurant – Ristorante LOCATELLI – has an innovative menu of authentic Italian dishes including: pan-fried scallops with saffron vinaigrette, roast monk fish, Bagna càuda and homemade tagliatelle with kid goat ragù and chilli.
Seafood lovers will also delight in the al fresco, seafood tavern ‘Armyra by PAPAIOANNOU’ – the brainchild of Chef George Papaioannou- with beautifully presented dishes including grilled tuna fillet with aubergine puree.
Facilities
The resort has a lovely spa offering a wide range of treatments and a fully equipped Fitness Centre and a stylish heated indoor pool, a mosaic-lined infinity pool that overlooks the gardens and sea, with a separate children’s section, and an adults-only, sea-facing, saltwater pool at the spa.
There is a tennis court and watersports can be arranged through beach staff. There is a Kids’ Club and babysitting service.
Wifi throughout the hotel is free.
How much
The Amara is a good value luxury hotel offering good service, exceptional facilities and superb dining options in a stylish environment. Prices start from £315 per night for a double room including breakfast
What’s nearby:
The hotel is right on the beach so there’s plenty of soft sand to enjoy. For a little culture, just 11.8 miles away is the Castle of Limassol and indeed the town itself which is replete with eateries.
VERDICT: Amara is a luxurious hotel with fabulous sea views from every room, a relaxed ambience and an exceptional culinary offering
