Great Golf Magazine Sep/Oct 2017 September October 2017 | Page 49

Cyprus.qxp_St Enodoc 05.10.2016 22.17 Side 4

Aphrodite Hills

restaurants, bars and lounges. The health club has an indoor
heated pool, steam room, Finnish sauna, fitness centre, gym and
aerobics studio. The Anemones Spa offers a Jacuzzi, sauna and
steam room, as well as massage and beauty treatments.

Cyprus has a smaller number of courses. But how many do you
want to play, or can physically play, while on holiday? For me it’s
very much a case of quality, and the choices to be found here are
all of a high standard and with a variety of settings and formats to
please all, from mountains to fairways with Mediterranean views.

THANOS ALMYRA. If you want the convenience of the city whilst

also having direct access to the seafront, then go for this stunning
hotel as it is right on the beach and very close to the town centre.
A landmark since the 1970s, upon being acquired by the
Thanos group the hotel underwent major works to create what is
now one of the most opulent designer hotels in town, with an
attention to detail that creates a feeling of calmness and order.
THANOS ANASSA. If you are looking for that extra touch of

luxury in a calm and relaxing environment, then the Thanos
Anassa is for you. Yes, it is further from the airport, located near
to the town of Polis and so a longer drive to most of the golf courses
(although Minthis Hills is only 20 minutes away), but that feeling
of total relaxation in this unique makes it all worthwhile.
With its own private beach and located within beautiful
Cypriot scenery, this is a special place to really unwind. The spa
facilities are wonderful and also don’t forget to have a meal in the
award-winning Basiliko restaurant.
TIME FOR GOLF. Compared to other well know golf locations,

APHRODITE HILLS. This is probably the best known of the four

– it’s an 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Cabell
Robinson and completed in 2002. It winds its way through the
surrounding valleys and into the hills, many of the holes offering
stunning views of the sea and mountains. Right from the first
hole, a par-4 with an old smelting kiln slap bang in the middle
(just to give you something to aim at), you get a taste of what is
to come.
The course is well laid out, with plenty to keep all golfers
interested. Holes three and seven both require shots over a ravine
to reach the fairways and greens. The third, a challenging par-5
from the back tees and seventh being a beautiful par-3. Believe
you me, you would not want to go into either ravine to find your
ball... The third is the most daunting purely because of its length,
but both are regular shots if you don’t let the physiologically
omnipresent ravines freak you out.
The ninth brings you back to the hotel and towards the cliffs,
with views out to sea. The back nine continues in the same
manner with a good smattering of lengths and surprises. I would
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