Columbia Beach Resort, Cyprus

The Cranley Report®: Columbia Beach Resort

Columbia Beach Resort, Cyprus

Hotel Address

Columbia Beach Resort
Pissouri
P.O. Box 54042
3779 Limassol
Cyprus

Cranley Rating

Columbia Beach Resort

Photo 1 of 28. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category

Resort Hotel

Hotel Opened

2002

Cranley Summary

The Columbia Beach Resort is on the south coast of the island of Cyprus and situated halfway between Limassol and Paphos. It sits alone in a setting of unspoilt countryside in the centre of the two kilometre Blue Flag beach of Pissouri Bay looking out over the Mediterranean Sea. The resort is modelled on a traditional village with low-rise villas encompassing a large lagoon pool and paved paths shaded by bougainvilleas and olive trees leading down to the beach. The resort offers ninety-four deluxe suites of various types, all tastefully furnished in warm neutral colours and featuring a balcony with views of the pool, gardens or sea. The rooms are spacious and offer all modern amenities including satellite television, controlled air conditioning and Wi-Fi Internet access. There are two main restaurants offering international and local cuisine, three bars and the Columbia Spa which offers a large variety of treatments, saunas, steam baths, hot and cold plunge pools and an indoor swimming pool. The hotel has excellent conference facilities and can cater for any type of function. There are lots of activities for children including a pool, playground and children's club. The resort's beach area offers an array of water sports through the water sports centre and land sports include two squash courts and one tennis court.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The Columbia Beach Resort is located on the unspoilt two kilometre Blue Flag beach of Pissouri Bay (halfway between Limassol and Paphos) on the south coast of Cyprus and is surrounded by rugged white cliffs, vineyards and a backdrop of unspoilt countryside abounding in the flora and fauna of Cyprus. Within walking distance, approximately five minutes, local restaurants, shops, banks and bars can be found. There are many places of interest to visit around Pissouri such as the Kurium Amphitheatre and Kolossi Castle which was constructed in the 13th century. Secret Valley and Aphrodite Golf courses are a fifteen minute drive away and Tsada Golf course is a forty minute drive. Paphos International Airport is 35 km, a twenty minute car drive from the hotel and Larnaca International Airport is 110 kilometres, approximately a one hour drive from the hotel.

Airports
Distance	35 km
Airport Transfers	The hotel has a courtesy bus on Wednesdays and Saturdays departing the hotel at 08:00 for Paphos and leaving Paphos at 15:00 for the return journey to the hotel. Taxi service available.

Cities and Sights
Distance	35 km
City/Sight Transfers	The hotel has a courtesy bus on Mondays to Saturdays departing the hotel for Limassol at 09:30 and leaving Limassol at 13:30 for the return journey to the hotel. The bus does not run on Sunday's and public holidays.

Hotel Layout

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Layout Description

Columbia Beach Resort lies concealed in Pissouri Bay on the south coast of Cyprus. The low-rise hotel has ninety-four individually decorated suites which are located in the main building and in the villas all clustered around an eighty metre lagoon-style pool. Dionysos Restaurant, The Spa and Eros Cocktail Bar are situated in the main Building. The lagoon pool is set in the midst of sun terraces and landscaped gardens and connects with the heated indoor pool and the children’s pool. Paved pathways, shaded by bougainvillea and olive trees, meander throughout the resort around the Taverna and Ouzeri, through the gardens and on down to the beach area.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours.
Languages Spoken	Greek, English, Turkish and German.
Payment Methods	All major credit cards. Cash accepted.
Foreign Exchange	24 hours All major currencies exchanged.
Taxis Arranged	Arranged on request. Pre-bookable taxi between the airport and the resort. Courtesy bus service to Limassol, Paphos and nearby golf courses. Electric buggies used for guests, luggage and room service.
Tours Arranged	Can be booked through reception.

Guest Relations	Standard services. Car hire arranged through reception.
Concierge Services	Standard services.
Medical Facilities	Doctor on call twenty-four hours. Response time approximately twenty minutes according to hotel.
Parking	Car parking available for approximately fifty cars.

Cranley Comment

The elegant atrium-style lobby is decorated in natural shades, has marbled floors and windows down one side looking out over the resort's village and lagoon pool. The reception desk is located to the right when entering the hotel with Eros Cocktail Bar and the lift lobby in the same area. There are comfortable seats and tables and cosy corners with sofas and chairs, some of which surround a large fireplace. Steps lead down to the resort spa, the indoor swimming pool and Dionysos restaurant.

Shops & Amenities

Description

The hotel has a souvenir shop/boutique and the affiliate hotel next door also has a shop and boutique.

Cranley Comment

The Columbia Beach Hotel and it's affiliate hotel next door which is a two minute walk, both have a souvenir shop/boutique. Papers, sundry items as well as small gifts to take home are available. Pissouri Bay, where shops and restaurants can be found, is a five minute walk along the beach path or the main road. The Columbia hotel has a courtesy bus which goes to Limassol and Paphos where there are a larger selection of shops and restaurants.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	2
Total Rooms	94
Elevators	1
Rooms per Elevator	94
Total Staff	150
Staff per Room	1.6

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Late check out is available according to availability. The hotel has several courtesy rooms. Charges vary according to the length of time that the room is required for.
Smoking Rooms	Designated smoking rooms.
Room Service	Full menu served twenty-four hours a day.
Laundry Service	Clothes handed in before 10:00 will be returned the following day before 17:00. Pressing is available between 08:00 to 17:00. All the above services are offered Monday to Saturday.

Club or Executive Facilities

There are no club or executive features.

Cranley Comment

The Columbia Beach Resort has ninety-four suites ranging from Junior, Executive Junior, Executive and Two Bedroom Family Suites mostly with sea Views and surrounding the large lagoon pool. The exceptionally spacious rooms are located in the main building and eleven villa-style buildings modelled on a traditional village, all set in landscaped gardens which wind down to the beach. The elegant interiors are decorated in natural colours, have stone floors, deep upholstered sofas, wicker chairs and a table and are all equipped with modern amenities. All rooms have Wi-Fi Internet and interconnecting rooms are available.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Junior Suite	38	11 Garden 12 Pool 3 Sea and Garden 4 Sea and Pool 8 Sea	Individually controlled air conditioning Lighting control panel box next to the bed Ceiling fan Separate shower stall Mini bar Tea & coffee making facilities Satellite television Radio International direct-dial telephone Internet access Hairdryer Large balcony or terrace Safe deposit box Electronic door key system Towelling robes and slippers Toiletries Nightly turn-down Next day weather forecast Goodnight sweet Complimentary water in fridge Fruit bowl Window shutters Bottle of local wine and sweets on arrival	2 adults plus a child or 3 adults	33

Cranley Comment

The Junior Suites are located in the villas and have spacious open-plan sleeping and sitting areas. They are decorated in neutral colours, have stone floors and specially commissioned wood furniture and hand woven soft furnishings. These bright, airy rooms feature a queen-size or twin beds, deep upholstered sofa, wicker chairs and a marble topped coffee table. The large balcony doors lead out onto a terrace with table and chairs looking out over the pool and with a side view of the sea. The suites have a small kitchenette with tea and coffee making facilities and the large bathrooms with double washbasins and wide baths are spacious. Interconnecting rooms are available.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Junior Suite	39	11 Garden 7 Pool 7 Sea and Garden 8 Sea and Pool 6 Sea	As per Junior Suite with the added benefit of: Sofa bed More drawer space Smart wooden seat at the end of the bed	2 adults plus 2 young children or 3 adults	46

Cranley Comment

Executive Junior Suites are roomier than Junior Suites and the open-plan layout incorporates a bedroom and sitting area which can comfortably accommodate two adults and two children under twelve. The suites provide a shady haven with their cool stone floors, shutters and overhead ceiling fans. Decorated in natural colours and materials and furnished with natural wood furniture with exquisite hand-carvings, the rooms offer luxury and comfort. The suites have a queen-size bed, sofa-bed and armchairs, table and a balcony with chairs and table offering different views according to the suite's location. These suites have a kitchenette and their spacious bathrooms incorporate double washbasins and wide baths. Interconnecting rooms are available.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Suite	3	Sea	As per Junior Suite with the added benefit of: Panoramic sea view Television in the sitting area Larger balcony Three piece suite Air bath Desk Tea and coffee making facilities Complimentary wine, fruit and sweets. Petit fours/canopes on arrival	3 adults or 2 adults and one child and 1 infant.	75

Cranley Comment

The Executive Suites are located in the main building and offer a cosy atmosphere with their natural hues and soft furnishings. The suite is open-plan and has a queen-size bed and wooden screens partially dividing the bedroom from the sitting area which is furnished with a three piece suite and desk. The entrance has a marble floor and the living area is carpeted. Large sliding doors lead to a furnished balcony with table and chairs offering spectacular views of the pool and the bay beyond. The spacious bathroom contains an air bath, separate shower unit, bath and double washbasin.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
2 Bedroom Family Suite	2	Sea and Pool	As per Executive Suites with the added benefit of: Separate lounge area Second bedroom with two single day beds Additional shower room with washbasin and toilet	4 adults	100

Cranley Comment

Two Bedroom Family Suites are located in the main building and are accessed through regal double doors. The main bedroom nestles cosily in a private, elevated section and features a bronze-framed mirror over an elegant table and chair. The main bedroom has a queen-size bed and the second bedroom has two single day beds. A sizeable sitting area with its own television separates the two sleeping areas. The second bedroom can be hidden from view by sliding wooden doors or quickly transformed into an additional sitting area with two comfortable settees. The second bedroom has its own private shower room with toilet and washbasin. A large balcony with table and chairs offers a magnificent view of the pool and the crystal clear waters of Pissouri Bay.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Panorama Suites	12	Sea and Pool	As per Executive Suites	2 or 3 adults or 2 adults plus 2 young children	75

Cranley Comment

Executive Panorama Suites are identical to the Executive Suites but are all located in a separate area high up opposite the entrance of the hotel offering impressive views over the bay.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Dionysos

Restaurant Type	International
Restaurant Capacity	125 total (of which 85 inside and 40 on the terrace).
Opening Times	Breakfast 07:00 to 10:30 Dinner 19:30 to 22:30
Dress Codes	Smart

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Designated smoking areas.
Children’s Facilities	Only children over six years old allowed. Children's menu available.
Breakfast Options	Buffet.

Cranley Comment

Dionysos is a fine dining restaurant and is located in the main building. This elegant restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the terrace and pool. It is decorated in natural colours which are complimented by wooden panelling to the walls and ceiling and marble floors. The imaginative a la carte and table d’hote menus offering 5 courses, feature mouth-watering international and vegetarian delicacies accompanied by warm bread freshly baked in the resort's own bakery. Most, but not all evenings, dinner is served to the sound of the hotel's pianist.

Apollo Taverna

Restaurant Type	Traditional Cyprus Taverna
Restaurant Capacity	205 total (of which 85 inside and 120 outside).
Opening Times	11:00 to 23:00
Dress Codes	Casual/smart

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Designated smoking areas.
Children’s Facilities	Children welcome. Children's menu available.
Breakfast Options	N/A

Cranley Comment

The Apollo Taverna is located in the square below the swimming pool overlooking Pissouri Bay. It is a traditional Cyprus taverna, decorated with stone walls, pillars and arched ceiling areas. The restaurant specialises in all that is best in local cuisine for indoor or outdoor dining. There are snacks available during the day and for dinner, the traditional Cypriot meze and freshly caught fish can be enjoyed while a duo of guitarists serenade diners. The seating area outside serves for both the Apollo and Ouzeri.

Bars

Number of Bars	3
Bar Comments

The Columbia Beach Resort has three bars. Eros Cocktail Bar has a nautical style and is located in the main building just off the lobby area, the Wet and Dry Pool Bar is located at the Lagoon Pool area and has a swim-up bar and the Apollo Ouzeri is a traditional Greek bar, located in the square below the swimming pool.