TRAVEL
SEAFRONT SERENITY WITH A SIDE OF SUSHI, SPA BLISS AND SUNSET COCKTAILS …
ROYAL APOLLONIA, LIMASSOL
THERE’ S SOMETHING GLORIOUSLY DECADENT ABOUT WAKING UP TO THE SOUND OF WAVES, WITH NOTHING MORE PRESSING ON THE AGENDA THAN BREAKFAST, BEACH AND A BACK MASSAGE. AT THE ROYAL APOLLONIA BY LOUIS HOTELS IN LIMASSOL, THIS IS THE VERY RHYTHM OF LIFE. BY SAMANTHA READY
Freshly refurbished in 2023, the hotel now combines contemporary style with warm Cypriot hospitality across 204 bedrooms spread over six floors, making it feel smart, spacious and refreshingly modern. Set right on the Limassol seafront, it blends five-star facilities with a genuinely welcoming feel.
Check-in was smooth and genuinely warm, the kind of welcome that makes you feel instantly taken care of. Our room – technically rooms as we snared two interconnecting spaces – were two of the sea-view numbers( I highly recommend you request one!); a perfect blend of modern, cool-toned and uncluttered with sliding doors that opened out onto large balconies where we watched the sun sink into the sea.
Staying as a family of five, the interconnecting option offered us the perfect mix of togetherness and space. With sizeable ensuites, cleverly designed storage and those glorious sea-view balconies, it was a setup that worked just as well for beach-loving teen- and tweenagers as it did for parents in need of a little wine-at-sunset moment- chilled glass of Commandaria anyone?
While the Royal Apollonia has long appealed to couples and sunseekers, it’ s now firmly stepping into its role as a familyfriendly favourite, too. A newly designed kids’ play area, vibrant splash pool and an impressively well-kept sandy beach with gently sloping access make it ideal for little ones. The atmosphere stays relaxed and calm, but there’ s a quiet buzz of activity and space for everyone – from poolside loungers to toddler paddles. It’ s the kind of place that feels indulgent and inclusive.
On day two, I had the pleasure of being booked in for a massage at The Royal Spa, tucked just off the main hotel wing. The vibe here is a little sanctuary within the resort- think dim lighting, soft music and the sort of subtle aromatherapy that relaxes you before you’ ve even taken your shoes off. My 60-minute full-body massage was pure heaven: expert hands easing travel knots and laptop shoulders into buttery submission. Afterwards, I floated to the relaxation room and promptly lost all sense of time. A proper holiday indulgence. There is also an indoor heated pool and sauna here if that is more your holiday relaxation persuasion.
While the hotel has an excellent buffet restaurant( ideal for lazy breakfasts and casual dinners), we decided to go all out one evening and book a table at Akakiko, the resort’ s Asian-fusion à la carte offering. Sitting in the atmospherically lit, Japaneseinspired, cocoon-like restaurant, we tucked into one of the best meals of our trip.
We started with fresh edamame, flecked with sea salt, followed by crispy spring rolls that were perfectly golden and packed with flavour. For mains, the sushi platter was a highlight – melt-in-the-mouth salmon, delicate tuna and beautifully rolled maki with just the right wasabi kick. The teriyaki beef was rich and tender, served with sticky rice and crunchy vegetables, and I may have stolen more than my fair share while also making light work of the pork tempura with noodles. Paired with a chilled glass of Cypriot rosé and the backdrop of the sea? Perfection.
From beachside loungers to evening cocktails by the pool, the Royal Apollonia makes it gloriously easy to switch off. Service throughout was impeccable, professional yet warm, and whether we were grabbing a coffee( the iced frappe became a mid-morning must-have), chatting to reception, or enjoying another impossibly good breakfast omelette, we were met with smiles and genuine hospitality.
If you’ re looking for a sun-drenched escape that combines sea views, superb food, spa-level relaxation and a new family-friendly focus – all wrapped up in Cypriot charm – this is one hotel worth bookmarking … And booking!
easyJet holidays offer seven nights at the 5 * Royal Apollonia by Louis Hotels in Cyprus on a Bed and Breakfast basis for £ 1,019 per person including 23kg of luggage per person, private transfers and flights from London Gatwick on 30 September 2025.
royalapollonialimassol. com royalapollonia
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