Intro: The 2019 winner of Lifestyle Luxury Awards in the category of The Best Luxury Cyprus Hotel, the Kanika Group’s Amavi Hotel is the first five-star couples-only hotel in Cyprus, a leader in the field of luxury resorts. We speak to the General Manager, Charis Stylianou, about the unique experiences that make the Amavi perfect for two.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: Mr. Charis, you position your hotel as a romantic resort for couples; what are the reasons that couples choose to stay here?

Charis Stylianou: The five-star Amavi Hotel is the first and only custom-designed couples-only hotel in Cyprus, a paradise of togetherness which offers couples the ultimate in relaxation and intimate experiences. Designed exclusively on the concept of a couples’ hotel, the Amavi is an ideal escape in which to spend time with your partner; the perfect place to fall in love again.

From our location on a sandy Blue Flag beach – with uninterrupted panoramic sea vistas and proximity to the ancient town of Paphos – to the intimate privacy of both our suites and public spaces, we offer our guests a paradise in which to rekindle or celebrate their love.

We see couples from all over the world visiting the Amavi for a variety of reasons: as an enchanting getaway, as a quiet retreat from family life, for the celebration of an anniversary, or as the perfect destination for a uniquely beautiful honeymoon by the shores of the Mediterranean.

Whatever the reason for their visit, our couples are always enchanted by the tranquil intimacy of the resort, and the wealth of facilities and experiences designed just for two.

LLA: Could you explain the difference between a romantic hotel and just a hotel?

CS: Launched under the Kanika ‘Made For Two Hotels’ brand, the Amavi epitomizes time for two. Here, everything has been designed to deliver a tranquil, relaxed experience: unlike a regular hotel, you’ll remain completely undisturbed – no children under the age of 18 are allowed on the premises, and we ensure that our guests’ visits are as serene as the Mediterranean which enhances the view from each of our 155 suites and rooms.

At the same time, all our facilities are designed for two; from our Spa’s signature couples’ treatments to intimate à la carte restaurant with tables for two, we offer sophisticated side-by-side holiday experiences, enhanced with the unobtrusive and personalized service which sparks that honeymoon feeling.

Of course, this makes the Amavi ideal for exclusive, intimate weddings. A romantic paradise with selected venues for the marriage, reception, and dining, the Amavi also promises an exceptional experience for those first, magical moments as a married couple.

LLA: What are the couples’ expectations for a romantic vacation?

CS: The Made For Two Hotels concept ensures the Amavi not only meets but exceeds each couple’s expectations in terms of romance. As a warmly inviting establishment located on the island of love, our luxury facilities have been designed specifically to allow for connection and reconnection.

Small touches throughout the Hotel – such as the soft music and intimate venues, the quietly intimate spaces in each restaurant – promote communicative togetherness, allowing each and every couple to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

LLA: Your hotel is located in Paphos; could you tell us a bit about the city and what makes it attractive?

CS: Paphos is the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, so this is an ideal location for a couples’ hotel! We’re situated directly on a sandy Blue Flag beach, in a quiet and peaceful area overlooking the Mediterranean. But we’re also just minutes away from the center of town, with its fascinating history and wealth of historical sites.

In fact, the Paphos Castle can be seen from the Hotel, and a short walk along the seafront promenade will take you right into the heart of the town – a place that’s a marriage of modern convenience (shops, boutiques, and cafes) and ancient wonder. And it’s very important for us that we protect the valuable heritage of the surrounding region: the Amavi is actively pursuing its EU Ecolabel Certification through the protection of the island’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and way of life as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Policy.

LLA: Any romantic vacation involves an unforgettable experience. What kind of experiences can couples enjoy at the Amavi?

CS: Here at the Amavi, we’re perfectly positioned to offer our guests uniquely memorable experiences of togetherness.

Our Evera Spa & Wellness offers idyllic spa treatments for two, including the Evera Couples Ritual: a deeply calming bespoke full-body massage followed by an illuminating facial and a glass of champagne. There’s also the sharing menu at the rooftop Immenso – guests can revel in the sunset as they enjoy a delicious selection of dishes designed to be enjoyed à deux. And at the Nocturne, our fine dining experience promotes privacy and intimacy for each of our couples, as they rekindle their love to the gentle melodies of live piano music.

Of course, all our leisure facilities also make for an unforgettable experience for two. The Saffire pool offers a swim-up bar, lazy loungers, and mesmerizing sea views; the outdoor Evera pool boasts tropical surroundings and massage jets; whilst the Evera indoor pool, steam bath, and sauna are perfect for complete relaxation. Even our lush, landscaped gardens are designed to create those intimate moments: the perfect spot to enjoy nature whilst gazing at the sea.

And no experience would be complete without an evening cocktail at the Selene Bar Terrace – sharing a signature concoction under the Mediterranean stars makes for a truly unforgettable moment!

LLA: We know that you have a wonderful spa complex, the EVERA Spa & Wellness. Please give our readers a brief overview of its services, facilities, and treatments.

CS: The Evera Spa & Wellness provides a complete top-to-toe beauty and wellness experience for two, offering unique signature treatments alongside spa discovery rituals, massage journeys and à la carte face and body treatments with highly-trained therapists.

What could be better than enjoying a perfect moment of relaxed togetherness in the privacy of your own treatment room? Our Evera Couples Ritual includes total realignment of the energy flow and enhanced the wellness of the mind and body through the application of aromatic oils and a luxurious deep tissue massage, with a post-massage illuminating facial treatment and a glass of fine champagne – just one of the distinctive touches which make the Amavi exceptional.

All treatments are based on the superior line of spa products by Natural Spa Factory, which is committed to manufacturing products that are as natural and effective as possible. This ethos translates into a high-quality line that is never tested on animals, and we find our guests always speak very highly of both the Spa’s products and treatments.

LLA: Tell us about the unexpected amenities at your spa that can surprise your guests.

CS: Noted for its privacy, elegance, and tranquillity, our Evera Spa & Wellness’ state-of-the-art facilities include a gorgeous indoor swimming pool, a sauna and steam room, a hair salon and barber, a manicure and pedicure lounge, and a set of bespoke suites for couples’ spa treatments – which are very popular with our guests.

A particular favorite is the Golden Glow – in which a gentle sugar cane full-body exfoliation is followed by a liquid gold velvety body wrap and an application of Gold dry oil, rich in caviar and vitamin E which nourishes the skin and bestows a gentle shimmer. And guests always enjoy the Evera Organic Chocolate Body Renewal – a delicious treatment which includes a full-body scrub, an organic chocolate cocooning wrap, and a deeply relaxing full-body massage.

LLA: Your hotel has four restaurants. Could you tell us about each? How do they differ?

CS: The Amavi places great importance on the art of fine dining: each of our four signature restaurants serve themed menus designed by world-renowned culinary experts.

The Ezaria, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating and gorgeous views over the sea, provides international cuisine using fresh, exciting flavors cooked in an open kitchen.

The rooftop Immenso boasts an à la carte menu designed by the Amavi’s Michelin-starred consultant chef, Theodor Falser, with authentic flavors from Asia’s favorite kitchens, and – as the highest point in the area – is perfect in the evening with its backdrop of spectacular sunsets and starry skies.

The Nocturne, also designed by our Michelin-starred consultant chef, Theodor Falser, offers exclusivity in both fare and ambiance, with a classic combination of fine Mediterranean flavors from our degustation dinner menu, and exquisite live background piano music.

And the outdoor terrace restaurant of the Fortolana offers a mouth-watering line-up of 16 authentic Cypriot dishes – again, prepared with handpicked local ingredients.

All four dining establishments are also included in our unique Half-Board Premium offering. This exclusive concept allows guests to dine around all four different restaurants, and also includes a wide variety of quality wine from which to choose. It’s a wonderfully unique dine-around culinary experience.

LLA: Which of the hotel’s restaurants do you most recommend and why?

CS:

I love all the restaurants – each of the four is unique and offers something different. It’s a challenging question; in a way, it’s like asking me to choose between my children!

I would, however, like to highlight the Fortolana which, along with the Nocturne, has recently been nominated for the Cyprus Eating Awards 2019. The Fortolana offers sweeping views of the sea and the hotel’s landscaped gardens along with an impeccable ambiance. But it’s the restaurant’s selection of locally-inspired tastes and flavors which particularly stand out: this is our island’s culinary heritage elevated to haute cuisine.

LLA: If a gentleman wishes to organize an unforgettable dinner for his lady outside of the restaurant, can you offer such a service?

CS: Of course! Everything at the Amavi is designed for pleasure, and we pride ourselves on our exclusive, bespoke customer service.

Any event of your choice can be tailor-made, be it the perfect proposal or an intimate dinner for two. Within the rooftop Immenso restaurant, we have the Celestial Terrace, a very private area for an intimate dinner tête-à-tête. Or we could arrange for a special dining experience in the couple’s suite – our experienced staff is primed to make dreams come true.

LLA: What tips for choosing a hotel can you recommend for a couple, if they want to enjoy an unforgettable, romantic vacation?

CS: First and foremost, I’d look at the location. A romantic hotel needs to be in just the right place – preferably on a beautiful, tranquil beach but close to the amenities of a town.

Secondly, any couples’ vacation should take into account the size of the hotel, and in this case, smaller is generally better: you’re looking for a place that’s intimate and relaxed, and obviously free of children.

The facilities are also important, especially the dining options; does the hotel offer a variety of cuisines and restaurants, each with a welcoming, intimate ambiance? – And the leisure facilities; which must include a relaxing spa and several pools.

Finally, the factor which would really sway my decision would be the friendliness and hospitality of the staff and how they make me feel. And that’s exactly what we offer at the Amavi – everything we do is designed to make our special couples feel as if they’re enjoying the perfect honeymoon.