prakashdaswani123, London, United Kingdom
It always risks disappointment when you go back to a place where you had a truly wonderful holiday years earlier. So we were delighted that this wasn???t the case on our return to the Annabelle after...
It always risks disappointment when you go back to a place where you had a truly wonderful holiday years earlier. So we were delighted that this wasn???t the case on our return to the Annabelle after many years. We last stayed at the Annabelle in 2012 for our Silver Wedding Anniversary, and were truly impressed with everything from the very first day to the last. That was our first ever visit to Cyprus and we fell in love with the country, its many stunning natural features, intriguing historic sites and, of course, its ever-pleasant, kind and hospitable people.
That love owed much to the extraordinarily warm welcome we received at the Annabelle from pretty much everyone who works there. Yes, it's a magnificent luxury hotel, set in beautifully landscaped and secluded gardens and with all the modern facilities you could ask for, but it also has something intangible and that is ever so rare these days: layer upon layer of old world charm, grace - and impeccable manners. We remembered it affectionately as a classic masterpiece from a bygone era that calmly and elegantly asserts its presence in the 21st century. Why, we kept asking ourselves on our arrival, did we leave it 6 years before coming back? We still don't know - and won't make that mistake again.
Nothing in the quality of our experience changed this time - we did not experience any of our feared disappointment at all; if anything, we felt even more welcome and at home than last time. Yet again, every staff member made us feel like the hotel's most valued guests - and we noticed how all the other guests always received just the same levels of courtesy and attention, with none of this manufactured or insincere.
And, as before, we could find no fault with anything at all in what was provided, quite the reverse: the breakfast and dinner spreads seemed to be even more sumptuous and varied than in 2012 and just as freshly prepared; the rooms and quality of service every bit as good as before, and everyone - from doormen, to cleaners to chefs (thank you David, Iordannis, Giorgios, Flora and Photis) to waiters and pool assistants - just as courteous and genuinely friendly as they or their counterparts had been on our first visit: all of them seemed so happy to be working there and proud to be part of the Annabelle's long and distinguished history. That same spirit spread through the whole hotel at all times.
It seems wrong to single out individuals because really they should all be mentioned and thanked by name, but it's nonetheless hard to resist picking out a few, perhaps because these were the ones with whom we spoke most frequently - and laughed with the most: as before, the delightful Chrystalla, Head of Guest Servives who stole ours hearts yet will forever be a part of them. At meal times, Andrian, and his lovely wife Nadia, served us with such dignity and professional poise yet treated us as if it was we who were the dignitaries; the ebullient Yiannis who always made sure we had the table of our choice ??? and a Cypriot coffee served with our breakfast whenever we wanted one or a glass of Ros?? with our dinner; Sava the gentle and eloquent young philosopher-come-astronomy buff and of course, George the maitre d???, the epitome of kindness professionalism and bonhomie who regaled us with stories of almond picking at 4am in his village and guided us to the arguably best local fish restaurant in Cyprus (the Aphrodite Bwach), half a kilometre along from the Annabelle???s sister hotel, the Anassa, near Latsi on the north Coast.
We must also thank Eleni, the Reservations Manager who took such good care of us iin arranging a wonderful room for us; and her predecessor, Achilleas, now the Front Office Manager who always found time during his busy day to advise us in detail on the best times of year to visit Cyprus and on some of the hidden gems of the country.
When the time came for us to return to London, we really didn???t want to leave the Annabelle. We are now sure to return to this true home from home as soon as we next can. Thank you again to everyone there who made our stay such a pleasure again.
p.s. all guests on a half board arrangement should really treat themselves at least once to a stunning four course dinner at the hotel???s Amorosa restaurant ??? a steal at only 15??? per head extra
Prakash & Joanne Daswani, London.
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83% of travellers recommended this hotel
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Aug 18 2018
