Amathus Beach Hotel Limassol

The first thing to note about the Amathus Beach Hotel Limassol is the sprawling 40,000-square-foot garden between the hotel and the beach. Most of the green space is a vast sunbathing lawn, punctuated by blue and white striped umbrellas and comfortable loungers. Most of the public spaces are either open-air or have outdoor terraces connected to them. An exception is the Amathus spa, decked out in American walnut and marble from the Greek island of Tinos, and awash in colored mood lighting; it's one of the hotel's major draws, second only to the hotel's long beachfront. 

Nestled onto green garden grounds right on the beach, the hotel is located near where the ancient city of Amathus once was. It's on a wooden beachfront promenade, and its closest neighbors are other hotels, with a few shops and restaurants across the road. It's a little over a 20-minute drive to Limassol's Old Port, marina, and castle area (a popular tourist hub). Numerous mosaics and ancient remains can be seen in the area, and the hotel is a 14-minute walk from the Amathus Ruins, dominated by an acropolis. Other notable archaeological sites like Kolossi Castle and Ancient Kourion are under a 30-minute drive. Larnaca International Airport is a 40-minute drive to the east along the coast, while Paphos International Airport is closer to an hour drive to the west.

Bottled water and a plate of fresh fruit await guests in all of the hotel's 239 rooms, which are decorated in earth tones and contemporary furnishings. All the rooms on the ocean side have small private balconies, while the limited number of inland-facing rooms opt instead for more square footage. The extra space gained provides room for sitting areas with sofa beds, making them suited to families, though they come at the expense of a view (and these rooms have surprisingly small windows). Flat-screen TVs, minibars, and iPod docks come standard. The bathrooms have shower/tub combos with added rainfall showerheads in the ceiling. Suites add separate living rooms and extra balconies. There are also Junior Suites with private decks and plunge pools that have integrated hot tubs.

Two sections of private beach are separated by a rocky breakwater, with a sandy promenade running between them. There are plenty of sunbeds and beach umbrellas for all, especially when factoring in the loungers spread across the gardens above. There are two outdoor pools, an adult pool and a family pool with a pair of waterslides and a kiddy pool play area. Families can also take advantage of a kids' club with an outdoor playground. The heated indoor lap pool is filled with saltwater, and is accompanied by a hot tub. The hotel's Amathus Spa is a flashy bit of design with 11 treatment rooms along a hall with a floating walkway that's surrounded by calm reflecting pools. There are also a sauna, steam room, and an impressive relaxation room dubbed the Garden of Senses, with beds tucked into mood-lit alcoves along another floating walkway amid plants and waterfalls. The adjacent fitness center is well-equipped with modern cardio and weight training machines, along with instructors for yoga and Pilates classes. For outdoor workouts, there are two lighted tennis courts. The hotel grows some of its own produce, herbs, and olives in the gardens that the chefs use throughout the numerous menus. Dining options range from The Grill Room, with a wood-fired oven, to The Cyan, with Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Opened in 1979, The Limanaki Fish restaurant may be the most memorable, serving fresh catches on a beachfront terrace. La Terrazza does seasonal alfresco dining with live entertainment, and Kalypso is the requisite casual all-day buffet (free breakfast included); half- and full-board rates are available. In addition there are five bars and lounges, many of which serve light bites, including two airy cocktail lounges, a piano bar, and a hookah bar. There's also an outdoor juice and ice cream bar.