Team member Lisa recently experienced a stay at the Almyra Hotel in Cyprus, a stylish wellness retreat overlooking the Mediterranean. Find out what she made of this Paphos retreat's luxe spa, healthy cuisine, and relaxing atmosphere.

Almyra is a vision of white and neutral tones - a Scandi feel with clean lines and contemporary furnishings. It's chic and modern and your eyes are immediately drawn to the sea outside and the dazzling blue sky.
The interior is dotted with lots of interesting modern art pieces, which I really liked. Location-wise, it's right on the seafront of the pretty harbour town of Paphos. You can gaze down the private promenade at the back of the hotel, all the way to the impressive old Paphos Castle, perched at the end of the coast. It's also an easy stroll to some nice restaurants, cafés and shops and there are archaeological sites in the area.
It's a beautifully designed, stand-alone building with glass walls and skylights which turn the whole spa into a warm, sun-lit oasis of relaxation. There is an open-air yoga space plus an indoor lap pool and exterior lap pool with sun loungers and umbrellas for maximum chilling. I like steam rooms, so the extra-large mosaic steam room got a big tick (there are separate facilities for men and women). Also pretty special are the sea-facing treatment rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow you to meditate on the stunning sea-views while indulging in a rejuvenating treatment. There is something about the energy that comes in off the sea that is calming and powerful all at once. The Spa Manager was so warm and welcoming and she even taught me how to make some homemade beauty remedies. Another big bonus was the adult-only policy, which is perfect for maintaining the calm atmosphere.
I really liked the expertise of the therapists and the natural ingredients used. The spa uses three brands: Osea, Ila and QMS Medicosmetics and they have all been carefully chosen for their high performance. I particularly enjoyed the Osea Malibu facial, which was heavenly. My whole body felt utterly relaxed afterwards and my skin looked polished and smooth. Osea is naturally derived and marine-based with ingredients that include seaweed and pure organic essential oils and botanicals. No wonder I felt fab!
I'd definitely say the yoga on the wide open-air yoga platform. Taking in those sea views added a whole new dimension to my practice and a welcome distraction when it got tough. There is a smallish but well-equipped gym with inspiring views out to sea, plus a choice of daily group classes from yoga to aqua aerobics. There's also a watersports centre, tennis court and a long promenade just outside the hotel, so you can head off on brisk walks or bike rides.
There's a very good choice of restaurants ranging from healthy meze to Japanese/Cypriot fusion cuisine. The spa has its own restaurant, Eauzone, which serves healthy meals and smoothies/juices. You can book in here for breakfast each day if you want to avoid buffet-style temptation in the main restaurant!
The breakfast buffet was especially good with plenty of healthy choices, so easy to get off to a 'good' start every morning.
Apart from the spa which was faultless, I loved the walkways through the grounds which are lined with lavender and rosemary bushes and smell divine. An enchanting touch are the olive trees filled with tiny lanterns at night – rather magical.
I'd definitely recommend upgrading to a room with a sea view, as it's a really special feature of the hotel.
Anyone looking for a chic and buzzy waterfront atmosphere and a sensational spa experience. There's also lots to do and see in the area, like visiting the Troodos Mountains or Akamas Peninsula.
Like the sound of a stay at Almyra? Click here to find out more about this luxe seafront hotel and its wellness offering.