Anassa
Anassa is a five-star hillside resort on the edge of the Akamas Peninsula in northwest Cyprus, built as a whitewashed Cypriot village that steps down through gardens to Chrysochou Bay. Families come for its award-winning restaurants, a spa ranked among the world's best and the most thorough baby-and-toddler setup in Cyprus, from a crèche at four months to baby kit waiting in the room on arrival.
On this page
Is it worth it?
Who Anassa suits, who might do better elsewhere and the facts to skim before the detail.
Anassa is one of Cyprus's most expensive resorts, and what you pay for is a quiet kind of luxury rather than an all-inclusive with slides and buffets. It's a family-owned five-star run as a whitewashed village on the edge of the protected Akamas landscape, with four award-winning restaurants, a spa that draws people in its own right and the most complete baby-and-toddler provision on the island. The trade-offs are real: the beach is pebble rather than sand, the site runs up and down a hillside and there's little to do a short walk from the gate. You'll get the most from it if you'd happily pay for good food, proper childcare and calm over a lively all-inclusive.
Best for
You want luxury, award-winning food, a serious spa and the best baby-and-toddler setup in Cyprus, and you'd choose that over a lively all-inclusive.
Maybe not for
You want a flat, sandy paddling beach, waterslides, an all-inclusive budget or plenty to do a short walk from the resort.
Best ages
Babies upwards. A crèche from four months, clubs to age twelve and a heated children's pool that suits toddlers.
What stands out
The Baby Go Lightly pre-arrival kit, the Thalassa Spa and the setting right beside the Akamas.
What to check
The pebble beach and the hillside site if you're pushing a pram, and which rooms carry the 2026 refresh.
Where is it?
Above Chrysochou Bay at Neo Chorio in northwest Cyprus, about 40 to 45 minutes from Paphos airport.
Quick facts for families
What the resort is like
How Anassa is laid out over its hillside, and what that means for getting around with young children.
Anassa is built to look like a traditional Cypriot village rather than a single hotel block: whitewashed low-rise buildings step down a hillside through flower-filled gardens to the beach, with bougainvillea over the walls, fountains and terracotta vases around a central village square, and a Byzantine chapel in the grounds that's used for weddings, baptisms and Easter mass. Inside, the look is marble floors, Roman mosaics, Venetian frescoes and a cream-and-blue Mediterranean palette. The name is the ancient Greek word for "queen".
There are 166 rooms, suites and residences spread across an 85,000 m² site, but it rarely feels that big, because the hillside means you only see a slice of it at any one time. It opened in 1998 and is owned and run by Thanos Hotels, a Cypriot family company, and it's a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Reviewers single out the sheer number of staff and the personal service that comes with it.
Getting around is the practical thing to weigh with little ones. The site sits on a slope with steps and sloped paths between the levels, so the resort runs electric golf buggies, the small carts that carry luggage and ferry guests between the accommodation and the beach. Families with a pram do best in a lower-terrace room close to the pool and beach, where the walk is shorter and flatter; the buggy service helps for the longer runs, but it isn't always instant. A €10 million refresh announced in March 2026, designed with the studio Yabu Pushelberg, is underway through the year and has already upgraded the main terrace, so some rooms are newly done and others aren't yet, which is worth checking against the live listing before you book a specific one. There are electric-vehicle charging points on site if you're hiring an EV. For where Anassa sits within the island, see our Cyprus guide.
Every restaurant and bar
All four restaurants, the weekly village night, the four bars and how the dining actually works with children.
Food is one of the reasons families choose Anassa. The kitchens are run by executive chef David Goodridge, and the hotel makes its own cheeses, breads, pastries, jams and sauces on site, sourcing locally where it can. Helios and Basiliko have won at the Toques d'Or, Cyprus's main culinary awards, every year from 2022 to 2025, and Pelagos has joined them each year since 2023. The restaurants open on a rotation, so not every one is open every night, which is another reason to plan your evenings.
Amphora
Amphora is the all-day room and the one families use most. Breakfast is a large buffet on an open-air, sea-view terrace under olive trees, roughly 07:00 to 10:30, and it's the meal reviewers single out, with made-to-order eggs, freshly baked breads and an unusual spread of local honeys and jams. In the evening it becomes the Grill at Amphora, an à la carte grill of premium meat and Mediterranean seafood, around 19:30 to 22:30. It's casual, children are welcome and there are high chairs and a children's menu. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Helios
Helios is the French-Mediterranean fine-dining restaurant, open for dinner only, roughly 19:30 to 22:00, on a terrace under lit olive trees with live piano or harp. It took the Athinorama Golden Cap for contemporary cuisine in both 2024 and 2025. The dress code is smart casual, meaning trousers or smart shorts and no beachwear, flip-flops or vests for men, and while there's a children's menu, there are no high chairs, so it suits children who can sit through a meal rather than babies or toddlers, and the 19:30 start is late for the very young. Book well ahead in high season.
Basiliko
Basiliko is the Asian-Mediterranean restaurant, just twelve candlelit tables, open for dinner only, roughly 19:30 to 22:00 and consistently described as fully booked, so reserve as far ahead as you can. Dress is smart casual, the same rules as Helios. It's taken the Athinorama Top Notch award for Pan-Asian cuisine in both 2024 and 2025. The one thing families need to know is that it takes only guests aged twelve and over, so it's off the table with younger children. That's not a problem for most families, but it's worth knowing before you plan.
Pelagos
Pelagos is the relaxed poolside taverna, serving Mediterranean seafood and Cypriot mezze from the day's catch, with a live show-kitchen and an elevated sea view. Lunch runs roughly 12:30 to 15:30 from April to November, and dinner, weather permitting, roughly 19:30 to 22:00 from May to October. It's casual, children are welcome with their own menu, and reviewers rate it as the best of the casual options. It's taken the Athinorama award for Cypriot cuisine in 2024 and 2025. Reservations are recommended.
Village Square
Once a week the Village Square, by the Byzantine chapel, hosts a traditional Cypriot buffet dinner from roughly 19:30 to 22:00, with live cooking stations, music and folk dancing under the stars, and the same spot runs occasional beach barbecues. It's a favourite with children for the atmosphere. A supplement applies above standard half board, so factor that in.
The four bars
Meltemi is the swim-up pool bar, open 09:00 to 19:30 with a counter you can order from without leaving the water. Light bites run 12:00 to 18:00: toasted pita, stone-baked pizza and crisp salads, alongside cocktails, fresh smoothies and an ice-cream and granita stand in high season. It's the day base for most families. Blue Bar serves the beach on the same hours, 09:00 to 19:30, with sunbed service and a snack menu of calamari, burgers and wraps from 12:00 to 18:00, plus cocktails and fresh juices. Armonia is the main cocktail bar, open 08:00 to 01:00, with sea and mountain views, sunset banquette seating and live jazz in season; mocktails and early-evening food make it fine for children before dinner. Amorosa is an indoor-outdoor lounge and terrace high above the bay, the quieter spot for a sundowner away from the family bar scene.
How dining and board work
Rates come as bed and breakfast, half board or full board. Bed and breakfast covers the buffet at Amphora, or a continental breakfast in your room if you'd rather not go down. Half board adds a lunch or dinner allowance, usable at Amphora's buffet or on a chef's selection menu at Helios or Pelagos. On half or full board, children are put on the same board basis as their parents at no extra cost under the current Families Offer, which is offer-based, so check it's still running on the official site when you book. Children under fourteen get half the adult allowance on the à la carte menus. Reservations are recommended across the board, strongly advised for Helios and essential for Basiliko, ideally a couple of weeks ahead in peak season, and you can book through the reservations team on +357 26 888 000 or via the official site. There's 24-hour room service, and vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and allergy-friendly options are all handled if you tell the hotel in advance. Early restaurant sittings are offered for families, so ask about them on arrival. You can't bring your own food and drink into the hotel.
Rooms and suites
Every room category with its official size, the three pools and the pebble beach below.
There are 25 room, suite and residence categories, and almost all of them face the sea, so for most families the choice is about space and whether you can shut a door on a sleeping baby. Every room comes with air conditioning, a Smart TV with Netflix, a minibar, an espresso machine, a safe, USB-B and USB-C charging, wifi, robes and slippers, a hairdryer, daily fruit, a balcony or terrace and a cot if you need one, with twice-daily housekeeping, a morning service and an evening turndown. The table below is the full line-up with official sizes; the guidance after it is which ones suit a family.
| Room | Size | Sleeps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden View Room | 41 m² | 2 | Entry level; garden or inland view, no sea view; outside the 2026 refresh |
| Accessible Garden View Room | 41 m² | 2 | Wheelchair-accessible; double rain shower and handheld shower; 12 m² terrace |
| Studio Suite Sea View | 47 m² | 3 | Open-plan; the first category with a sea view; outside the 2026 refresh |
| Interconnecting Studio Suites Sea View | 94 m² | 6 | Two connected 47 m² studios, each with its own balcony; a lower-price way to give a child their own room without booking a two-bedroom suite |
| Studio Suite with Extended Terrace and Sea View | 47 m² | 3 | Open-plan with a large 31 m² terrace |
| Garden Studio Suite Sea View | 49 m² | 3 | Garden level with direct garden access; pet-friendly |
| Interconnecting Garden Studio Suites Sea View | 98 m² | 6 | Two connected 49 m² garden-level suites, a sofa bed in one; pet-friendly |
| Garden Studio Suite Private Pool Sea View | 49 m² | 3 | Garden level; private pool; 27 m² terrace; pet-friendly |
| Junior Suite Sea View | 53 m² | 3 | Living area, rain shower and 12 m² balcony; renewed in 2026; pet-friendly |
| Interconnecting Junior Suite & Garden Studio Sea View | 102 m² | 6 | A 53 m² Junior Suite connected to a 49 m² studio; renewed in 2026 |
| Junior Panorama Suite | 53 m² | 3 | Elevated panoramic views; 15 m² terrace; renewed in 2026 |
| Junior Suite with Pool | 53 m² | 3 | Private pool and living area; 28 m² terrace; renewed in 2026; pet-friendly |
| Interconnecting Junior Suite with Pool & Garden Studio | 102 m² | 6 | A 53 m² Junior Suite with private pool connected to a 49 m² studio |
| One Bedroom Suite | 90 m² | 3 | First category with a separate bedroom and living room, plus an extra shower room; 10 m² balcony; renewed in 2026 |
| One Bedroom Suite with Pool | 90 m² | 3 | Separate bedroom and a heated private pool; 40 m² terrace; renewed in 2026; pet-friendly |
| Two Bedroom Family Suite | 123 m² | 6 | Two separate bedrooms, shared living room and three terraces; not tagged as renovated as at July 2026 |
| Two Bedroom Suite | 137 m² | 6 | Two ensuite bedrooms; 15 m² balcony; renewed in 2026 |
| Two Bedroom Suite with Pool | 137 m² | 6 | Two ensuite bedrooms and a 72 m² private pool terrace; renewed in 2026 |
| Three Bedroom Suite | 151 m² | 9 | Three bedrooms, the most in the suite tier; renewed in 2026 |
| Adonis / Aphrodite with Outdoor Whirlpool | 122 m² | 3 | Presidential suite with an outdoor whirlpool; 43 m² balcony; new look still to come |
| Anax Suite (two bedroom) | 161 m² | 6 | Presidential two-bedroom suite; renewed in 2026 |
| Andromeda Residence with Pool | 225 m² | 9 | Three bedrooms; private pool; 92 m² terrace; renewed in 2026; pet-friendly |
| Alexandros Residence with Pool | 185 m² | 6 | Two bedrooms; private pool; 81 m² terrace; renewed in 2026; pet-friendly |
| Alcyone Residence with Pool | 178 m² | 6 | Two bedrooms; private pool; very large 104 m² terrace; renewed in 2026; pet-friendly |
| Aether Residence with Pool | 225 m² | 9 | Three bedrooms; private pool; the largest terrace at 112 m²; renewed in 2026; pet-friendly |
For a couple with one very young baby, a Studio Suite at 47 to 49 m² works for a short stay, though it's a single open-plan space with nowhere separate for the baby to sleep, and it gets tight with a toddler who needs floor room. The Junior Suites at 53 m², renewed in 2026, add a distinct seating area but still have no dividing wall, so they fit a cot beside the bed rather than giving a child a room of their own. The real step up for families is the One Bedroom Suite at 90 m², the first category with a fully separate bedroom and living room, which is what makes consistent blackout naps possible; its pool version adds a heated private pool and a 40 m² terrace, the premium choice for a couple who want a private pool alongside a proper sleeping setup for a baby. For two or three children the Two Bedroom Family Suite at 123 m² is the practical mid-tier choice, with two bedrooms, a shared living room and three terraces, and the residences from 178 to 225 m² take multigenerational groups with grandparents in tow. A cheaper way to get separate space is one of the interconnecting pairs, two studios or a suite and a studio joined together, each with its own balcony, so children sleep apart from you without paying for a two-bedroom suite.
Several suites and all the residences come with a private pool, but only the One Bedroom Suite with Pool has a confirmed heated one. If a warm private pool is the reason you're paying for one, ask the hotel to confirm heating for the specific room before you book. On the refresh, Junior Suites and above and all the residences carry the renewed 2026 look, while the Garden View Rooms and Studio Suites sit outside it, the Two Bedroom Family Suite isn't tagged as renovated, and the Adonis and Aphrodite presidential suites are still to be done, so check the live listing for the room you want. Dogs under 12 kg are allowed in selected pet-friendly rooms, mostly the garden-level suites and the residences, with a one-off, non-refundable cleaning fee of €200 (last checked July 2026).
Three poolsPools and water features
There are three pools. The Main Pool is a split-level freshwater pool with Roman steps and shallow areas, where the upper section spills over a waterfall into a larger infinity pool below, kept at 24 to 28°C and open 08:00 to 17:30. Children are welcome in it all day. It's the daytime social heart of the resort, with the Meltemi bar alongside, and it can feel busy in the peak weeks. The Mosaic Pool is the family one: a separate, heated outdoor pool at a warmer 28 to 33°C, open 08:00 to 17:30, with shaded sunbeds, and it's where families with babies and toddlers gravitate, since the higher temperature suits small children who feel cooler water quickly. Inside the Thalassa Spa there's a Roman-style indoor pool at 28 to 30°C filled with seawater pumped from the bay, but children under sixteen aren't permitted in it or the gym, so it's effectively adults-only. A lifeguard is always on duty at the pools. Inflatables up to 60 cm are allowed in all three pools, larger ones aren't, though noodles, mats and balls are available poolside; sunloungers can't be reserved, which becomes a point of friction at the busiest times. There's no waterslide or splash pad; the heated Mosaic pool is the dedicated feature for young children.
The beach
Anassa's beach sits on Chrysochou Bay, sheltered by the Akamas peninsula, and it's pebble and shingle with some coarse sand rather than a true sand beach. The water is clear and calm, and you can snorkel straight off the shore, with fish visible around your feet; if you haven't brought your own mask and snorkel, the watersports centre on the beach rents gear out. It's kept for guests, with sunloungers, umbrellas, complimentary towels and drinks and snacks brought down by the Blue Bar, though the shoreline of the bay itself is public. The pebbles mean it shelves more steeply than sand and deepens quickly; one reviewer describes the water as very deep and says it "might not be good for little kids". It's better for swimming and snorkelling than for a toddler paddling in a few inches of warm water, and that's what the heated Mosaic pool is for. The watersports centre beside the beach is run by an outside operator rather than by Anassa, which accepts no liability for what happens there, and it has rental craft and self-drive boats for reaching the Blue Lagoon and the nearby coves. Anassa's own beach doesn't carry Blue Flag status; the nearest Blue Flag beach is the Camping Site at Dasoudi in Polis Chrysochous, a separate public beach from the resort's own frontage. That's not a reflection on the water here, which reviewers and guests consistently rate as clear and excellent for swimming.
Babies and toddlers
The pre-arrival baby kit, the crèche and clubs, plus the babysitting for an evening out.
Baby and toddler provision is where Anassa is strongest, and it starts before you arrive. The Baby Go Lightly service lets you pre-order baby equipment online so it's set up in the room on check-in, which spares you packing or hiring it. The list runs to car seats for the airport transfer, cots, baby baths, sterilisers, bottle warmers, high chairs, buggies, potties, training seats, baby carriers, walkers, swimming and dry nappies, nappy bins, swimming aids, toys and toiletries; some items are complimentary and some carry a charge. Baby food and medication can be kept in the room's minibar, and hypoallergenic bedding and a choice of pillows are available on request.
Childcare runs through the Mythos Kids Club, open April to November, Thursday to Tuesday and closed on Wednesdays. It's staffed by certified nannies who speak English, German and French. Meals are available at the club, and spaces go quickly, so it's worth booking ahead. One thing to note before you rely on it: the two official pages give different opening times, one 08:30 and the other 09:30, so confirm the exact start on arrival. The club is split by age, and the youngest, Titans, is a proper crèche taking babies from four months.
| Club | Ages | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| Titans | 4 months to 2 years | The crèche for babies and young toddlers, with sleeping nooks, infant soft-play and a shaded outdoor playground with swings and a climbing frame; staff follow your baby's routine, naps included. |
| Griffins | 3 to 4 years | Play, crafts and water time for pre-schoolers. |
| Centaurs | 5 to 7 years | Swimming, baking, pottery, treasure hunts and outdoor play. |
| Tritons | 8 to 12 years | Older-child activities from arts and crafts to archaeology, nature walks and table tennis, with evening sessions in peak season. |
The clubs are paid, charged per session and sold by the half day: Titans, the crèche, is from €55 per child, the highest of the four, while Griffins, Centaurs and Tritons share a single, lower rate of €45 per child. For an adult dinner on your own, there's a babysitting service through the same nannies, in your room or on the grounds, charged by the hour from €18 and arranged in advance. Give as much notice as you can rather than leaving it to the day.
At mealtimes, high chairs and children's cutlery are in Amphora and Pelagos, though not in Helios, and there are children's menus in all three of the family restaurants, with Basiliko the exception for its over-twelves rule. Staff are consistently noted for serving children first, and early sittings for families are an official touch, so ask about the timing when you arrive. Older children aged six to twelve can also have a gentle Anassa Junior Massage at the spa.
On resortThings to do
Beyond the pools and beach there's plenty to fill a day. The watersports centre is run by an outside operator, not by Anassa itself, which takes no liability for the activities there; it covers jet skis, seabobs, waterskiing and wakeboarding, windsurfing, parasailing, banana and tube rides, stand-up paddleboarding, canoes, pedalos, self-drive motorboats and RYA-certified sailing courses for children and adults. There's scuba too: a Bubblemaker experience for eight and nine year olds down to two metres at the Blue Lagoon, with the family able to snorkel alongside, and full diving from age ten to a maximum of six metres. Luxury motor yachts and a sailing yacht can be chartered through the concierge for half-day, full-day and sunset cruises, including out to the Blue Lagoon, which suits a larger or multigenerational group.
On land there are two floodlit AstroTurf tennis courts and a new padel court, both free to use by day with coaching for children and adults, plus a squash court. Four golf courses, including the Nick Faldo-designed Elea Championship and Aphrodite Hills, are within about 40 minutes' drive. You can hire mountain bikes, road bikes and e-bikes and join guided rides through the Akamas National Park. The Technogym gym is open daily from 07:00 to 20:00, though under-sixteens aren't allowed in it, personal training is bookable for an extra charge, and there are private Pilates, yoga, swimming lessons and aqua sessions bookable through the concierge. Two boutiques sit in the grounds, KULT for fashion and Agora for handmade pieces, jewellery and local art.
Evenings bring live music most nights, the weekly Village Square Cypriot night and a weekly torchlit beach barbecue with bouzouki players, plus live jazz at Armonia and evening kids-club sessions for children aged eight and over in peak season. If you'd rather stay in, every room has a Smart TV with Netflix and there's a DVD library at the hotel. The hotel also arranges curated experiences for an extra charge, from a pottery session with a master potter, a family photography shoot and an Ultimate Glamour Shoot modelling-style photo session, to a private wine tasting with the sommelier, donkey trekking and guided nature walks through the surrounding countryside.
The Thalassa Spa
The Thalassa Spa is a destination in itself, set under Roman columns and around herb-filled courtyards, and it's the thing many parents build their day around while the children are at the club. It was historically ranked by Condé Nast Traveller as its top overseas hotel spa and has stayed among the world's best-regarded since. Its speciality is thalassotherapy, using seawater pumped directly from Chrysochou Bay for treatments and the indoor seawater exercise pool, and the treatment brands in use are Subtle Energies, Augustinus Bader and εὖSKIN. The facilities run to the large indoor pool, a seawater exercise and jet pool, saunas and steam baths, 18 treatment rooms, a yoga studio, a squash court, the gym, a separate relaxation area for winding down between treatments and a beauty centre with a hair salon, nail, waxing and tinting services.
The spa opens 07:00 to 20:00 with treatments from 10:00, and it's worth booking well ahead in peak season if you have a particular treatment in mind. The signature treatments span deep massages, thalassotherapy detox rituals and facial work. Children under sixteen aren't allowed in the gym or the indoor spa pool, but there's an Anassa Junior Massage for six to twelve year olds and a Mother-To-Be massage for expectant mothers past the first trimester. Non-guests can take out a seasonal or monthly membership to use the spa.
The area and days out
What's within reach, what families praise and flag, how it compares and the journey in.
Anassa sits in one of the least-developed corners of Cyprus, next to the protected Akamas, which is a real part of the appeal: no tower blocks, no resort strip. The flip side is that there's little tourist infrastructure just outside the gate, so day trips take some organising. Latchi, a working fishing village about 2 km (5 minutes) away, has a small harbour with tavernas and cafés, and it's where the Blue Lagoon boat trips leave from. Polis, the nearest town at 3 to 4 km (about 10 minutes), has shops, banks, a supermarket, the Archaeological Museum of Marion-Arsinoe and the Moustakalis tavern, recommended by reviewers for local food.
The Blue Lagoon is the local excursion families rate most: a secluded turquoise cove with natural freshwater springs and abundant marine life, reached by boat from Latchi, roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way, with calm, shallow, clear water that children love for snorkelling and swimming, usually done as a three-hour cruise or a private charter. Closer still, minutes from the resort, the Baths of Aphrodite is a shaded grotto pool on a short, well-kept path you can push a pram along, though you can't swim in it. The Akamas Peninsula National Park is right on the doorstep: three waymarked nature trails, dramatic cliffs, remote beaches reachable only by 4WD or boat, cedar-shaded monasteries and wild orchids, explored on foot, by mountain bike or on a jeep safari. Lara Bay, one of the Mediterranean's most important loggerhead and green turtle nesting beaches, about 30 minutes away, is reachable only by 4WD and has no facilities; it's best visited May to August for hatchlings, so it's a highlight for the right family but demanding with a toddler. Further afield, Paphos, about 50 km and 40 to 45 minutes away, has UNESCO Roman mosaics and rock tombs alongside its old town and harbour, enough for a half-day or a full-day trip in its own right; the Troodos Mountains and their wine villages are an hour or more for a longer day, and Aphrodite's Rock is a brief photo stop on the coast road. There's no water park within easy reach; the big ones are over in eastern Cyprus, more than 90 minutes away, so they don't work as a day trip.
What families sayLoves and gripes
What families love
- The warmth and sheer number of staff, the most consistent praise across the reviews.
- The breakfast, rated one of the best in the Mediterranean.
- The baby and toddler provision, described as the best-equipped in Cyprus for under-twos.
- The setting and natural beauty, with sea views from almost everywhere and the Akamas next door.
- The location for nature and exploration, from Blue Lagoon boat trips to Akamas walks and Lara Bay's turtles.
- The Thalassa Spa, valued as a destination in itself.
- The dining, especially Helios and Pelagos, with so much made on site.
Common gripes
- The cost, one of Cyprus's most expensive resorts; one reviewer quotes paying €177 for a main course, dessert and a bottle of rosé at the French restaurant, and the kids club adds to that over a week.
- The pebble beach, not the flat sand a toddler wants for paddling and sandcastles.
- The hillside site, with slopes and steps to manage with a pram.
- Peak-season crowding at the main pool and for beach loungers in July and August.
- The remoteness, with the nearest big town and airport around 45 minutes to an hour away.
- Basiliko being off-limits to families with children under twelve, and the mid-November to March winter closure.
On the ratings, Anassa is consistently near the top: around 4 out of 5 from 1,393 reviews on TripAdvisor, the highest-rated of the three hotels in Neo Chorio; 9.4 out of 10 on Booking.com; and 9.5 out of 10 from U.S. News, which names it the number-one resort in Cyprus. Condé Nast Traveller readers placed it 13th among the best resorts in the world in 2025, it holds Travelife's Gold sustainability certification, and it won Tatler's Best Family Hotel award in 2015. It barely registers on mainstream parenting forums like Mumsnet, which fits its price point; where it does come up, in more affluent travel communities, the word is warmly positive.
Against the alternativesHow it compares
Anassa's sister hotels sit in and around Paphos. Almyra is town-based, about 15 minutes from the airport, more contemporary and more affordable, and it also has a kids club, so it's the easier, cheaper option if you'd trade Anassa's nature setting for convenience. Annabelle, the most central of the three, is aimed at couples and adults and doesn't have the family infrastructure. If your priority is an all-inclusive with waterslides, something like the Olympic Lagoon in Paphos is cheaper and better set up for water play, with simpler food and a smaller spa. Against the wider luxury market, no other Cyprus resort matches Anassa's combination of the spa, award-winning dining and serious baby-and-toddler provision, which is why it tends to top the island's rankings and placed 15th among Condé Nast Traveller readers' best resorts in Europe; Amathus and Columbia Beach in Pissouri are the names families weigh alongside it without the same baby setup.
Getting there and when to goGetting there
Anassa is on the northwest coast, on Chrysochou Bay next to the Akamas. Paphos airport is the closest, about 40 to 45 minutes by road, and Larnaca is around two hours (185 km); Paphos has fewer UK flights but a shorter drive, Larnaca more routes but a longer one. Private taxis and chauffeur transfers are arranged in advance by the reservations team, so request one ahead of time rather than expecting it to be laid on. If you'd rather pay on arrival than pre-book, taxis are available at Paphos airport. Most families don't hire a car for a resort-based stay, since Anassa is self-contained and there's no public transport to it, but a car is useful if you want to explore the Akamas, Polis or Paphos, and you can hire a car, motorbike or bicycle on site, with complimentary parking and a valet, plus EV charging points. Pharmacies are about a ten-minute drive away in Polis. For the best months with little ones, late May into June and September are the gentlest, warm enough to swim without the July and August peak of heat, crowds and price; the resort is open from roughly April to mid-November and closed through the winter, so if you're travelling in late October, check the actual closing date.
Month by monthWeather
Anassa sits on the sheltered Chrysochou Bay, where the climate is typical Mediterranean, hot dry summers and mild wet winters, running a touch cooler in high summer than eastern Cyprus, which is a small plus with young children. The figures below cover the open season, from an authoritative long-term average for the Polis coast.
| Month | Daytime high | Overnight low | Rain | Wet days | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 22° | 12.5° | 15 mm | 3 | 18° |
| May | 25° | 16° | 11 mm | 1 | 20° |
| June | 28° | 19.5° | 2 mm | 0 | 24° |
| July | 31° | 22° | 0 mm | 0 | 27° |
| August | 31.5° | 23° | 0 mm | 0 | 28° |
| September | 30° | 21° | 4 mm | 0 | 28° |
| October | 27° | 18° | 26 mm | 3 | 26° |
| November | 23° | 13.5° | 57 mm | 5 | 24° |
Typical monthly averages from weather-station records. Sea temperature is the open-water figure, so a sheltered bay can feel a degree or two warmer. Anassa is open from roughly April to mid-November.
Questions
The things families ask most, the official pages worth a bookmark and when this guide was last refreshed.
What age does the crèche take from?
From four months, at the Titans club, which runs April to November and closes on Wednesdays. Places are limited, so book before you travel. The official site lists two different opening times, so confirm the exact start when you arrive.
Do children eat free?
When you book half or full board, children go on the same board basis at no extra cost under the current Families Offer. It's offer-based, so check it's still running when you book, and note children under fourteen get half the adult allowance on the à la carte menus.
Is the beach any good for a toddler?
It's pebble and shingle rather than sand, and it shelves quite steeply, so it suits swimming and snorkelling more than shallow paddling. For sandcastle-and-splash days the heated Mosaic pool is the better bet, so don't book expecting a flat, sandy paddling beach.
Is it hard work with a pram?
Some, yes. Everything steps down the slope, so there are stairs and inclines between your room, the pool and the beach, and the golf buggies that cover the longer stretches don't always arrive on demand. A room low on the hillside near the pool takes most of that out. If level ground is high on your list, somewhere flat will suit you better.
Are the private pools heated?
Just one has a confirmed heated pool, the One Bedroom Suite with Pool. For every other suite and residence, ask the hotel to confirm heating before you pay the premium, especially if you're booking a private pool mainly to swim early or late in the season.
Can we all eat at every restaurant?
Three of the four do. The exception is Basiliko, the twelve-and-over Asian-Mediterranean room, so with younger children you'd either book a sitter for that night or skip it. Amphora, Pelagos and Helios all welcome children.
Can we get a babysitter for an adult dinner?
Yes, through the Mythos club's nannies, in your room or on the grounds, charged by the hour and arranged in advance. Give as much notice as you can rather than leaving it to the day.
Do we need to hire a car?
Not for a resort-based stay. There's no public transport to the resort, but it's self-contained and Latchi is a short taxi ride. Hire a car, which you can book on-site, only if you want to explore the Akamas, Polis or Paphos yourselves.
See more Anassa photos
Open the Anassa photo gallery →
Useful links
- Anassa: the resort's own site for rooms, dining, the kids club and current offers.
- GOV.UK Cyprus travel advice: entry rules and safety updates before you travel.
- Cyprus with little ones: our guide to the island, its regions and when to go.
Last updated 12 July 2026.
