Anassa – Interconnecting Garden Studio Suites

Super-swish luxury and being genuinely baby friendly aren’t often brought together so beautifully as they are at the 5-star Anassa resort on the Mediterranean coast of Cyprus. Anassa means ‘Queen’ in Cypriot and parents with tots to teens are spoiled like royalty in this opulent setting with superb family facilities. Even packing to come here is hassle free thanks to their Baby Go Lightly Service, which means parents can book all the baby items they could possibly need in advance, from car seats, carriers and buggies to bottle sterilisers, baby walkers, swimming aids, high chairs, toiletries and DVD’s.

Anassa has been designed in the style of a traditional Cypriot village, tumbling down a secluded hillside to a protected beach and glittering, blue sea. A classical, colonnaded hotel and Roman-style Thalassa Spa make a grand centrepiece and white-washed Mediterranean villas are clustered around a central village square, which springs into life with a weekly Cypriot Fair of food, music and dancing. New for 2015, Anassa also opened an ultra sophisticated, 300-square metre designer boutique, Kult, envisioned by the high fashion emporium expert, Paolo Giachi. The boutique features clothing and accessories from the hottest designer names, from Prada and Saint Laurent to Stella McCartney and Jimmy Choo.

The whole village is within landscaped Mediterranean gardens with manicured lawns and three stunning swimming pools, where families can flop into canopied day beds and loungers to utterly unwind. Ice creams, smoothies, snacks and cocktails are also a refreshing dip away at the Meltemi swim-up bar, which is a sure-fire winner with kids and grown ups alike.

Besides enjoying the pools, children from 4 months old to teenagers will have loads of fun at Anassa’s children’s clubs, with activities tailored to different age groups – giving mums and dads some quality chill out time! Experienced nannies in the Globetrotters Club have a really personal approach to ensuring babies and toddlers are completely happy and amused, plus milk, snacks, baby meals, nappies and toiletries are all included. The Adventurers Club is specially designed for busy 3-5 year olds while two more clubs have the 5-12 year olds covered and Escape is a dedicated ‘urban graffiti’ hang out for teenagers, featuring a pool table, Nintendo wii and big screen chill out area.

With the children having a whale of time, grown-ups can pamper, rejuvenate and revitalise themselves in the luxurious, 5-star Thalassa Spa. A range of Mediterranean massage treatments and therapies are on offer and the Spa also features a sky-lit Roman-style swimming pool, saunas, steam baths, a seawater exercise pool, squash court, fitness room and hair salon. The Spa even caters for children with young yoga sessions, funky junior manicures, twinkle toes pedicures and a fun, rainforest mud painting treatment.

For sporty, active families, Anassa has two flood-lit tennis courts and bikes available for hire plus a whole host of watersports are on offer on the beach, within the Akamas Marine Reserve. Besides lazing under the parasols there is fun for all ages, including pedalos, banana rides, jet-skiis, waterskiing and windsurfing, as well as PADI diving courses, sailing boats and powerboats for hire.

When it comes to mealtimes, Anassa has several lush eating options, so there’s no real need to leave the resort. These include sumptuous but casual breakfast and dinner buffets in the Amphoro dining room, Mediterranean mezzes in the al fresco Pelagos grill and romantic, candlelit dinners in the sophisticated, Basiliko restaurant, with the Anassa babysitters giving parents a precious night off. Children’s’ menus and early dining are available and the weekly beach barbecues are not to be missed, with chefs sizzling up meat, fish and seafood, while guitarists and bouzouki players provide the music, against the backdrop of a spectacular sunset. Other evening entertainment happens in the Armonia Terrace Bar, under the stars and overlooking the moonlit Med.

Accommodation Overview – Interconnecting Garden Studio Suites

This option comprises of two connecting Garden Studio Suites. The Garden Studios have recently been renovated by renowned international designer, Joelle Pleot and feature handmade furniture and elegant yet relaxed interiors. They comprise of two connected suites each with a king size or twin beds, seating area and luxurious bathroom. They have a private terrace/balconies with sea views. This option is priced based on two adults and three children aged 0 – 11 years old. Older children or additional adults will incur a surcharge. The rates are bed and breakfast.