Cyprus may be primarily known for its sun and sand, but
curious visitors are heading to its interior to discover the
‘real’ country far removed from its mass-market beach
image. For those wishing to soak up the traditional way of life,
the desire to stay in a village house has grown in recent
years.
Sunvil Holidays managing director Noel Josephides said:
“Village houses appeal to a more cultured clientele wanting
to get closer to local people; it’s not for the
mass-market.”
But while the number of village houses may be limited, the desire
to avoid hotels and enjoy a more independent holiday is strong, and
the demand for villas is booming. More villas are springing up,
mostly in the west of the island, and several operators including
Cosmos and Planet Holidays have expanded their villa programmes
this year.
Travel Weekly looks at what the two types of accommodation offer
different market sectors.
Families: village house
How they work for families: village houses offer
more privacy than a hotel and an interesting alternative and
insight into local life.
Where: Nicolas and Maria’s Cottage,
Anogyra.
Sell it: this pretty 300-year-old stone house is
in the centre of small but bustling Anogyra village. Sleeping up to
four adults and two children, with a well-equipped kitchen and
courtyard for dining alfresco, there’s plenty of space for
all the family.
There’s a public pool nearby and there are friendly tavernas,
restaurants and a well-stocked grocery shop just around the corner.
Situated between Limassol and Paphos, there’s beautiful
countryside to explore on the doorstep. A good choice for sampling
laid-back village life.
Sample product: Libra Holidays offers seven
nights’ self-catering for £475 per adult, £325 for
the first child and £425 for the second in August, including
flights and transfers. Car hire isn’t included but can be
prebooked from £12 a day.
Families: villa
How they work for families: with a private villa
families can run riot without worrying about other guests. Often
with their own pool, they provide an exclusive setting.
Where: Pomos Mediterranean Villa, Pomos.
Sell it: just 400 metres from the seafront and
fishing village of Pomos, this two-bedroom villa is light and
spacious with all mod cons. The two bedrooms have en-suite
bathrooms and there’s a private pool, veranda and outdoor
barbecue. Everything from a supermarket to tavernas is on the
doorstep. It’s a great spot for picnics and snorkelling from
Kallinousa Beach is suitable for children too. The larger town of
Polis is a short drive away, with plenty more on offer for the
family.
Sample product: Planet Holidays offers seven
nights from £2,102 for a family of four, based on two adults
and two kids, including flights and car.
Couples: village house
How they work for couples: romantic village houses, tucked
away in more isolated parts of the island, allow couples to soak up
the true ambience of the country.
Where: Villa Iomani, Peyia.
Sell it: villa by name but definitely village
house by nature, this renovated traditional stone home still
retains its original charm. Tucked away in the hills of Peyia,
there are two bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room that opens on to
a pretty veranda, and a roof terrace with views over the village.
Local tavernas will provide fresh fish for you on request.
Sample product: Sunvil Holidays features seven
nights for £514 per person twin-share in May, including
flights and car.
Couples: villa
How they work for couples: although villas often
sleep more than two, they can still be great for couples wanting
privacy and space of their own.
Where: Villa Chris Eleni, Latchi.
Sell it: a cosy villa within walking distance of
the beach, shops and restaurants at Latchi. There are two bedrooms,
a kitchen, and satellite TV and CD player. Although it’s
close to a bustling resort, the villa offers plenty of peace and
quiet with a shady veranda and its own pool with views of the sea.
It’s ideal for couples who want time on their own but like
amenities nearby.
Sample product: Cosmos features seven nights for
£781 per person twin-share in June, or £599 based on four
sharing, including flights and car hire.
Young group: village house
How they work for youngsters: though not a common
choice for groups of young friends, a large village house offers a
holiday with a difference.
Where: Cyprus Village House, Kalavassos.
Sell it: set in the mountains, Cyprus Village
House in picturesque Kalavassos village offers the best of both
worlds – a traditional Cypriot experience in peaceful
surrounds but with plenty to do. The village has a good choice of
bars and tavernas, and mountain-biking and horse riding is easily
arranged. The rustic stone house is divided into six apartments
with terraces for outside dining – and unusually for a
village house there’s even a shared pool. For a night out,
vibrant Limassol is just 20 minutes away and for a spot of sea and
sand Governor’s Beach is a 10-minute drive.
Sample product: Amathus offers seven nights for
£446 per person, twin-share in a one-bedroom apartment in the
house, including flights and car hire in April. Discounts are
available when several units are booked for one group.
Young group: villa
How they work for youngsters: coming in all sizes,
you can hand pick a villa to meet the group’s needs. You
don’t need to worry about other guests and it can be great
value.
Where: Olive Grove Premier Villa, Latchi.
Sell it: there’s lots of space in this
three-bedroom villa which works well for groups of up to eight
people. All wooden beams, stone walls and terracotta tiles,
there’s a large kitchen, satellite TV and two bathrooms.
There’s a private pool and even an outdoor whirlpool. Latchi,
with its fish tavernas and shops, and the Polis forest, are just a
short walk away and with two cars included in the price it’s
easy to go and explore.
Sample product: MedLife features seven nights at
Olive Grove from £445 per person, based on six sharing,
including flights and car hire.
Retirees: village house
How they work for retirees: for older people
looking for peace and quiet and a traditional setting, a village
house could be the solution.
Where: Lacovos’ House, Omodhos.
Sell it: built in old stone this refurbished
two-bedroom house in an old wine-making village has tons of space
and a double bedroom and shower on the ground floor, as well as a
twin room and a bathroom upstairs. It’s a short walk from the
village square where locals while away evenings playing backgammon.
The house, which overlooks the terraced vineyards of the Trodoos
Mountains, is perfect for a couple but sleeps up to five. Limassol
is 18 miles away.
Sample product: Olympic Holidays offers five
nights at Lacovos’ House from £351 per person twin-share
in April, or £279 based on five sharing, including flights and
car.
Retirees: villa
How they work for retirees: with a wide selection
on the market a villa can be chosen to meet clients’
needs.
Where: Villa Antigoni, Latchi.
Sell it: with accommodation all on one level, this
villa is ideal for an older couple. A sand and shingle beach is a
short stroll away, and restaurants, shops and bars are close
by.
There are two bedrooms with en suites, a modern kitchen, a veranda
and a private pool. The Antigoni is part of a group of five villas,
so is less isolated than many.
Sample product: Style Holidays offers seven nights
at Villa Antigoni from £426 per person twin-share in April,
including flights and car hire.
