Good news from Cyprus
A touch of Las Vegas is now also blowing through Cyprus' second largest city, Limassol. The luxury hotel "The City of Dreams" (COD) has recently opened there with a number of superlatives, including the largest casino in Europe, the largest pool area and an adventure park with a number of attractions. In the style of a white pyramid, it towers over a large area with views of the sea, Ladys Mile beach and the Limassol skyline. Golfers can look forward to the new 18-hole Limassol Greens course, which opens in October and is within walking distance.
Gigantism has a name here
Is it possible to feel comfortable in such a voluminous building with 16 floors, 500 rooms and suites and a casino that spreads out over 7500 square meters behind the hotel lobby? Especially if you have nothing to do with gambling? We think so, because the hotel offers a lot more besides: Apart from the 24-hour service for gambling, a 2000-strong staff takes care of all guest satisfaction issues. Water sports enthusiasts and families in particular are likely to appreciate the great offer: Waverider in Aqua World with the best water slides and the craziest water fountains. In the Kid's City with various games and activities in the outdoor area as well as in the Adventure Park with zip lines, extreme rope course, family rope course, mini golf, a climbing wall, a trampoline area and a playground. This means that teenagers can also have fun and parents have some free time for the gigantic fitness center or the Renu Spa with saunas and Asian-based treatments. Or simply enjoy the voluminous terrace in your room, because whether in the Premier Mountain View or Grand Scenic View room, you can stay in 11 categories between 26 and 150 square meters with all the bells and whistles and fantastic views of the mountain or sea. The 1700 square meter promenade, full of designer stores, also invites you to store. But what is really promoted here are the many events with artists from all over the world who give concerts here. There is plenty of space for this - in the oversized banquet rooms for 5000 visitors or in the green outdoor area for summer events.
golf, gambol, enjoy
You could put your vacation preferences here under this motto. First and foremost, enjoyment: at Aura we sampled a show kitchen with local and international dishes, had breakfast and enjoyed a light lunch with mezze delicacies. The smell of charcoal and steaks in the Prime Steakhouse with first-class wines can be smelled from afar. We sampled sushi from the hotel's own sushi bar and fine Asian cuisine at Amber Dragon with attentive service and at Anaïs , an adults-only restaurant, we were treated to seasonal creations by chef Olivier Belliard himself. The casino bar Centre Stage serves gourmet sandwiches or salads around the clock, The Lounge offers afternoon tea with pastries or finger food and the Veranda Café offers a choice of gelato, coffee, smoothie or freshly squeezed juice. The Aqua Bar then offers cocktails and small dishes in the garden and by the pools, where musical events also take place. So there is something for everyone.
Gambol for all you're worth
It's open 24 hours a day and visitors take this literally, because you can already see interested people at the tables early in the morning. And even if you're not interested in any of this, it's still worth taking a look at the Las Vegas-style gambling den: With roulette in different variants, blackjack , poker with various poker variants and baccarat . There are also other table games, such as the American craps , the Chinese sic bo and Pai Gow Poker , a poker variant based on the Chinese domino game Pai Gow. We were unable to verify how many gaming tables there really are here, but compared to the City of Dreams in Macau with the same name and around 500 gaming tables, there are probably a similar number here.
Playing golf on the "Limassol Greens"
This new championship course designed by golf architect Cabell B. Robinson is set to open in October 2025. Cyprus will then have a proud total of 6 golf courses - plus the Korineum Golf & Beach Resort in North Cyprus. On a tour with Andrew Darker, the GM of the resort, I get the best good news: the 18-hole course with a length of 6404 meters was laid out near the island's largest salt lake and therefore still has a little links ambience due to the undulating dunes left over from Lady's Mile beach. The former farmland with citrus, orange and olive trees also adds a little challenge to the 67 planned bunkers. There will also be water hazards on holes 5 and 6. All the holes are sown with heat-resistant Bermuda grass and blend into the slightly hilly 1.4 million square meter area. In addition to the golf course, luxury villas, a country club and various sports facilities are to be built. What you can already see is the spacious clubhouse in the middle of the course with a huge terrace and rooftop bar with panoramic views of the front and back nine. As with the entire green architecture, sustainability and energy efficiency have also been taken into account, while the natural surroundings are to be preserved as far as possible. You can look forward to it!
For the golf-free day
A shuttle takes all guests to Limassol, where it's worth strolling along the marina with its boutiques, bars and restaurants. Other sights include Limassol Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was married in 1191 and which now houses a museum. The Orthodox Cathedral of Ayia Napa is also a must-see for its icons and the large 16th century mosque, built on the remains of a Byzantine church. As you drive past, you can also visit Kolossi Castle, an old crusader castle from the 13th century. Those interested in history will want to sign up for an excursion to Kourion, an archaeologically valuable site with Roman excavations and a well-preserved amphitheater.
More info:
Larnaca airport is approx. 76 km away, Paphos airport approx. 62 km.
www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy www.visitzypern.de
Text: Elsa-Maria Honecker
Photos: Martin Steinbach, www.fleaky.de/Elsa-Maria Honecker
