Resort review: Aphrodite Hills, Paphos, Cyprus

Location:
A luxurious and casually elegant resort near Paphos, Aphrodite Hills is set in one of the most scenic and naturally beautiful locations in Cyprus, overlooking the very spot where Aphrodite, the goddess of love, is said to have emerged from the shimmering Mediterranean Sea.

Getting there:
Flights from the UK land at Larnaca, 90 minutes east of the resort, or Paphos, a 10-minute drive away. Carriers include British Airways, Cyprus Air, Air 2000 and Lufthansa. Transfers can be organised by the resort.

Tennis facilities:
Located at the heart of the resort, overlooking the sea, the tennis academy has six pristine floodlit Green Set hard courts one a stadium court with capacity for 600 spectators and four clay courts, all championship standard. The courts are served by a central tennis pavilion which houses an area for changing, showers and refreshments. Wilson sponsors the academy, providing rackets for hire and equipment in the sports shop.

Coaching:
The resorts impressive tennis academy is newly expanded, and coaching available includes private sessions with professional instructors on everything from stroke correction with video analysis to general play and technique. Tennis packages can be tailored to each players abilities, and the academy hosts a variety of tennis events and tournaments. The resident professional is Nic Papadopoulos, from Johannesburg, South Africa. He has been at the helm of the Aphrodite Hills Tennis Academy since May 2004 and has nine years of coaching experience working with all levels of players.

Eating:
There are an array of dining options, ranging from Mediterranean restaurants and cafes at the Village Square to the elegant golf clubhouse. Open to golfers and visitors alike, the clubhouse offers authentic Cypriot cuisine and selected international dishes from its 5-star a la carte menu. For a more low-key evening try the Pithari Tavern for island cookery, the Anoi Pub & Bar for fast food favourites, Zimi Pizza and Pasta for what it says on the tin, the LAtelier Brasserie for French delicacies, the Asian Corner for Japanese Sushi and Chinese cuisine, or the Secret Garden to cook your own food on a hot granite rock. There are also several restaurants at the InterContinental hotel.

Drinking:
The bar and wine list at the golf clubhouse is extensive, but there are also plenty of watering holes in the Village Square, from draft and bottled beers at the Anoi Pub and Bar, to Greek and Cypriot wine at the Pithari Tavern.

Sleeping:
You can stay in one of the 290 luxurious rooms at the brand new InterContinental Aphrodite Hills Resort Hotel, with unprecedented golf and sea views. Or, through the rentals service, you can hire superb accommodation in a holiday villa, charming townhouse or spacious apartment on a short or long-term basis. If you have a few spare euros, why not view some of the villas and apartments for sale? Aphrodite Hills offers a property management service to all owners.

What else?
The resort has an 18-hole standard championship golf course designed by Cabel Robinson, which meanders between the two plateaux divided by a central ravine. The premier golf academy has first-class practice facilities including a double-ended driving range, pitching and chipping greens, and a large putting green. There is also a challenging 3-hole course for improvers. The academy offers a wide range of programmes for all golfers, under the tutelage of PGA-qualified professionals Andrew Darker and Giles Johnson. If you are after serious pampering, look no further than The Retreat Spa, the ultimate in top-to-toe relaxation for body and mind. There are five different areas in the spa: a state-of-the-art fitness centre, the Upper Level of saunas, steam rooms, manicure and pedicure, the Thermae on the lower level, the courtyard garden with loungers, massage pavilions and a juice bar, and the pool, sun deck and outdoor hydropool.