Casale Panayiotis, Kalopanayiotis, Cyprus - Explore & Book
"As we travelled ever upwards and onwards from the coast, through vineyards and forests, along increasingly twisting roads, authentic Cyprus came into view. And at last, our driver indicated we had arrived - to a unique set-up: a boutique hotel constructed across 7 dwellings in a historic village. Cascading down the hillside, with long views down the Setrachos valley, Kalopanayiotis has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries for its healing sulphur springs and the fascinating Byzantine Saint John Lampadisitis monastery. After years working abroad, John Papadouris returned to his village to find it neglected and run-down. Investing his own money, he embarked on an ambitious restoration project, not just renewing crumbling buildings, but also cultivating local produce and resurrecting cottage craft industries, thus preserving mountain culture. And creating a hotel along the way as a means of achieving all of the above. Although more is in prospect (including a mountaintop winery and swimming pool), the results to date are wonderful: 41 immaculate hotel rooms, a choice of restaurants serving traditional Cypriot fare (and more universal options in a third), a stunning spa, and activities offering an insight into local life. After two hours strolling the village we felt at home, after two days we wanted to make it our home. Highs We loved exploring the tranquil village and its valley, along cobbled pathways, alleyways and over bridges; the views are high and long Unique personal restoration project by the owner and his family who are still very much involved, which imbues the whole with a delightful sense of community Outstanding spa with treatment rooms, a snow cave, hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam A good range of accommodation within 7 different 'houses' throughout the village, from studios to 2-bedroom suites, so solo travellers, couples and families are all catered for Smiley, friendly and unpretentious service Lows It's an hour from the coast and those hair-pin bends are not for the faint-hearted (you may prefer to arrange a transfer as we did) Some may not go for the diffuse nature of the hotel, spread through the village, and prefer a more compact set up Some steep sections within the village but there's a mountain elevator to take you to the upper sections The only swimming pool is in the spa and under 16s are not permitted, an outdoor pool is planned" - Nadine Mellor
