St Raphael, Limassol's resort with a marina

The Amathus coast has five-stars of every style, and St Raphael is the one with a marina. It’s also one of those most clearly aimed at families, with a wing of its own, a slide and all-inclusive if you want it. I run through its register entry, its facilities and the sort of traveller who’ll enjoy it. You’ll find more of the city in Limassol hotels.

A confirmed licence

According to the official Limassol list of 4 August, it has five stars, 272 rooms and 544 beds on Amathus Avenue, Pyrgos. With an L beside it, the rating is no longer provisional. It shares that privilege with only a handful of five-stars, as I detail in luxury hotels in Cyprus.

Inside the resort

Its website describes 216 rooms in the main building, 56 in the Executive Wing, with separate bedrooms designed for families, and seven suites, two Presidential, four Admiral and the Founder’s Suite. It says all rooms were renovated by 2019. There are two large pools, one with a bar, and the Executive Wing has its own water slide and a shaded paddling pool. In front lies one of the longest sandy beaches on the edge of Limassol, with an independent water sports centre hiring out catamarans, paddleboards and jet skis. The Serenity Spa, with sauna and steam room, and a gym whose machines generate electricity complete the picture.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in St Raphael Resort Limassol on Expedia and filter by area before price.

Eating and drinking

You can book bed and breakfast, half board or all-inclusive. The package covers the main buffet, a Cypriot meze restaurant in the gardens, an outdoor Italian, a vegan restaurant on the beach and several bars, with the outdoor venues running from May to October. The exception is the Golden Monkey, a Thai à la carte restaurant open all year by reservation. Children get a kids’ club, a kids’ corner at mealtimes and babysitting on request.

Coastal neighbours

Very close by on the same avenue are the Elias Beach hotel, a four-star, and a little further west the Amathus Beach hotel, an island classic. Just over half a kilometre east, in Pyrgos, is the Parklane resort. And if you’d prefer a five-star without the family focus, compare it with the Four Seasons in Limassol.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Limassol and pick one that fits your day.

Who it’s for

I think it’s a solid bet for families wanting a long beach, plenty to do and the peace of mind of not paying for every meal. For couples the atmosphere may feel very family-oriented, although the marina and its yacht club add something different. The hotel reckons half an hour to Larnaca airport and around 45 minutes to Paphos. Pyrgos lies at the eastern end of the Limassol district, on the way to Larnaca.

Where the bus does not go, a car does: compare car hire in Limassol before you arrive rather than at the desk.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in St Raphael Resort Limassol on Booking.com and filter by area before price.