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Conference organisers award Cyprus' Aphrodite Hills resort in Athens

Aphrodite Hills

The first integrated golf, leisure and real estate development in Cyprus receives INVgolf Award for 'Best New Integrated Leisure Resort in Europe 2003' in Athens

INVgolf award for 'Best New Integrated Leisure Resort in Europe 2003'

"The resort serves as a prime example of how Cyprus can upgrade its tourism product, offer high-quality hospitality services to foreign and Cypriot citizens, and make a positive contribution to the Cypriot economy"
Peter Michel Heilmann, Founder & Director, INVgolf

November 29, 2003 -- INVgolf, organisers of the 2003 European GOLF Investment and Real Estate Conference & Exhibition, today awarded Cyprus' Aphrodite Hills resort in Athens. A distinguished audience of conference delegates, sponsors and members of the international press gathered at this very special INVgolf Awards Ceremony.

The INVgolf Award for 'Best New Integrated Leisure Resort in Europe 2003' was handed over, on behalf of the organisers, by Photis Photiou, Chairman of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, who earlier today delivered a keynote speech titled 'Cyprus, An Emerging Golf Destination'. Angelos Markides, CEO of Lanitis Development Public Ltd., accepted the award on behalf of the Aphrodite Hills resort.

Peter M. Heilmann, Founder & Director, INVgolf, said at a special INVgolf Awards Gala Dinner at the Athenaeum InterContinental Athens: "On behalf of the organisers of the 2003 European GOLF Investment and Real Estate Conference & Exhibition I have the honour to present the award for 'Best New Integrated Leisure Resort in Europe 2003' to the Aphrodite Hills resort. Aphrodite Hills is an estate set in natural Mediterranean surroundings overlooking the legendary birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. It has been designed to be a comprehensive and integrated golf and leisure resort that combines the advantages and privileges of living in Cyprus. The resort serves as a prime example of how Cyprus can upgrade its tourism product, offer high-quality hospitality services to foreign and Cypriot citizens and make a positive contribution to the Cypriot economy. Congratulations!"

The INVgolf Award for 'Best Golf Course Architect in Europe 2003' went to European Golf Design Ltd. of the United Kingdom.

Angelos Markides' speech

On behalf of Aphrodite Hills, Mr. Markides said, "I would like to thank the European Golf Investment & Real Estate Conference organisers for giving Aphrodite Hills the award of the Best New Integrated Leisure Resort in Europe, 2003. 

"It is a great honour for our company, Lanitis Development, as well as for Cyprus to be voted and to be given this prestigious award, competing against countries like Spain, Portugal and France.

"Like many great things in life, Aphrodite Hills began with a vision of a great person- our late chairman, Evagoras Lanitis. Today, Aphrodite Hills is proud to feature an 18-hole championship golf course, a 5-star InterContinental hotel, 1000 units of luxury villas and apartments, a state of the art spa & tennis academy, shops and restaurants, hiking and biking trails and other facilities.

"Aphrodite Hills certainly owes its success to a number of factors. Let me mention just three:

"Firstly, the hard work and commitment of the people of Lanitis Development, the owning, developing and selling company of Aphrodite Hills.

"Secondly, the knowledge and expertise that Aphrodite Hills has been able to draw from the sister companies of the Lanitis Group. Namely, the Lanitis family for its support, Cybarco for the construction and Amathus for the hotels.

"Last, but not least, it is the support that we've had, and still have from the Cyprus Government and Authorities. We would like to thank them publicly for standing next to the private sector and supporting integrated projects like Aphrodite Hills in an effort to upgrade the Cyprus tourist product and attract quality tourism.

"The winner, after all, of this award is Cyprus."

About the Aphrodite Hills resort

  • The first integrated golf, leisure and real estate development in Cyprus

  • An investment of CY£ 150 million

  • The Aphrodite Hills golf course, an 18-hole championship standard course, is owned by Lanitis Development Ltd.

  • The course was officially opened by Glafcos Clerides, former President of Cyprus, on November 2nd, 2002

  • The Aphrodite InterContinental Resort Hotel to be opened in summer 2004

Background

Aphrodite Hills, an estate set in natural Mediterranean surroundings overlooking the legendary birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, is designed to be a comprehensive and integrated golf and leisure resort that combines the advantages and privileges of living in Cyprus.

The setting aims to offer residents all the benefits of the unspoiled landscape overlooking a most picturesque coastline: Mediterranean greenery, proximity to the pristine beach, and tranquility, with access to the coastal highways that connect the estate to the towns of Paphos to the northwest and Limassol to the east.

Aphrodite Hills is located in 234 hectares of land, extending across twin plateaus on either side of natural ravine.

The project is expected to ultimately enhance the endemic flora and fauna.

The use of motor vehicles within the estate will be kept to a minimum, as transportation by electric carts similar to golf buggies will be provided between the village centre, the residential areas, golf course and hotel.

The focal point of Aphrodite Hills will be a village centre, with shops, bars, an amphitheatre, swimming pool, children's playground. A number of nature trails for bikers and hikers will also be created. To complete the resort, a 5-star Intercontinental Hotel will provide complete state-of-the-art conference facilities.

Furthermore, the local historical and archaeological sites in the surrounding area as well as the bustling entertainment and commercial centre of Limassol are easily accessible.

Thus, life on Aphrodite Hills promises unlimited options that cater for every taste and preference. 

The site is about 20 km. from Paphos international airport, 17 km. from the town of Paphos, and 50 km. from the city of Limassol.

Within this framework, Cybarco Ltd. has acquired various properties in prime locations, in order to offer the prospective buyer a choice of exclusive housing options with enchanting views. The object is to create an international community of discerning homeowners who value a lifestyle featuring comfort, luxury and recreation within a unique and well-preserved Mediterranean environment.

Leisure facilities

The leisure facilities within the estate rank among the most sophisticated on the island, and take full advantage of the location's geography and climate.

Golf
"I believe that Aphrodite Hills will be ranked amongst the very finest courses in Europe and will eventually pin Cyprus on the international golf map" -- Cabell B. Robinson, the well-known American golf course architect who designed the 18-hole Aphrodite Hills golf course
The 18-hole golf course and 3-hole academy are designed by internationally-renowned American golf course architect Cabell Robinson, while the golf club has been designed by WATG, the world's leading design consultants for the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries.

Overlooking the Mediterranean, all but a few golf holes will have a view of the sea, and while the natural topography is gentle, there is enough movement to give each hole its distinct qualities.

The open fairway areas will be wide enough to accommodate players of all levels. However, the emphasis will be on a shorter, more enjoyable course for the average resort player.

Tennis
The tennis academy is located close to the village centre, health club and spa, and the golf clubhouse. Initially the academy will comprise eight courts, including a centre court with tiered seating to cater for tournaments and exhibition matches.

The number of courts will grow as the resort develops. A combination of clay courts and plexipave courts will be available to suit players of all abilities and preferences.

A team of coaches provided by the Swedish Tennis Federation will be available. Throughout the year, tournaments and star exhibition matches will be held at the tennis academy which is due to become a member of the Cyprus Tennis Federation.

The Retreat: Health Centre and Spa
The health club and spa is located close to the core of the village centre alongside the tennis academy. It will comprise a 140-sq.m gymnasium, a sprung floor activity room for aerobics, dance and yoga.

The spa offers 'dry' treatments such as facials, beauty treatments and massage, as well as 'wet' treatments, such as mud treatments, hydro baths and body wraps, indoor and outdoor spas and a tepidarium.

A special feature is the Aphrodite Cave with a hot spring and massage facilities. Built in the ancient Roman style, it comprises an ornate domed hammam, mud treatments, a Finnish sauna, a hot room, steam bath, cold room, plunge pools, as well as a variety of showers, body sprays and footbaths.

Private gardens for sun bathing are also available.

The Retreat works exclusively with Pevonia products providing an array of specialised treatments including rejuvenating skincare (facial and body treatments), massage and aromatherapy.

Location

Aphrodite Hills is situated on two plateaus 300 metres high overlooking the Mediterranean. It is only two minutes away from the main Limassol - Paphos highway, and easily accessible from both cities.

Aphrodite Hills Resort is located in the district of Paphos, 15 minutes from Pafos International Airport and 1 hour 15 minutes from Larnaca International Airport, 20 minutes from the city of Paphos and 35 minutes from the city of Limassol. Spectacularly located overlooking the site of Aphrodite's Rock and the Mediterranean sea, it is within an area of culture, mythology and tradition.

Distances:

  • 17 km. east of Paphos

  • Flying time from the UK is approximately four hours (five hours from Dublin)

  • Paphos: 20 km.

  • Limassol: 50 km.

  • Nicosia: 130 km.

  • Paphos International Airport: 17 km.

  • Larnaca International Airport: 112 km.

New InterContinental Hotel opens in Paphos in 2005

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts opened a new hotel in Cyprus in 2005. Overlooking the blue Mediterranean at the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite -- the Goddess of love, the hotel is located in the heart of the award-winning Aphrodite Hills Resort amongst a championship golf course, spa and tennis academy. InterContinental manages the hotel resort, which forms part of the £150 million Aphrodite Hills development by Lanitis Development Public Ltd.

Surrounded by natural gardens, the new luxury hotel is located in 270 hectares of land. It will offer unrivalled facilities with an 18-hole golf course, health spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, children’s facilities, walking and mountain bike trails, a wide range of water sports, plus free shuttle service bus to the beach just 900 metres away. The hotel features 290 bedrooms and suites, and for those looking to completely get away from it all, the hotel also offers superior rooms with their own private pools.

The hotel features a speciality restaurant serving Euro-Asian fusion cuisine; Californian-style brasserie poolside grill and bar; Mediterranean restaurant; all day dinning restaurant with terrace; plus live music and drinks will be available in the lobby lounge and Sunset Bar. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

The new hotel further strengthens InterContinental Hotels' portfolio in the Mediterranean, which already includes landmark properties in Cannes, Athens (Athenaeum InterContinental Athens, owned by the Greek-Cypriot Joannou family) and Malta.

Lanitis Development Public Ltd. in brief:

  • Lanitis Development Public Ltd. is a member of the Greek-Cypriot Lanitis Group of Companies, which was founded in 1896 by Panayis Lanitis.

  • Established: 1990

  • Cyprus Stock Exchange ticker: LDL (Lanitis Development Public Ltd. has been listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange since July 2002)

  • In brief: Planning, constructing and managing projects in the field of tourist property development. The projects developed by the company will be unique in Cyprus and will contribute substantially to the upgrading of the country’s tourist product.

  • More details: The company is currently carrying out a pioneering and unique project as far as its conception is concerned: the Aphrodite Hills. The project is being executed with the participation of the international hotel chain InterContinental, Carnegie Ltd. for the golf installations and Andrew Gibson for the health spa and tennis academy. Aphrodite Hills is being created in a beautiful location near Paphos, in the village of Kouklia, as an independent tourist community, in full harmony with the natural environment of the surrounding area. The project includes the first five-star InterContinental hotel resort in Europe, an 18-hole golf course of international standards, a golf academy, lounge, tennis academy, and The Retreat spa. It also includes plots of land, detached luxury houses with their own swimming pools, maisonettes, apartments, tourist village and time-sharing complex, a village square with shops and restaurants, and amphitheatre for cultural events. The uniqueness of Aphrodite Hills, both in terms of its dimensions and design, provides the company with precious know-how, which will be put to full use in the near future. The company's strategy includes similar projects both in Cyprus and abroad.

Useful contacts:

Lanitis Development Public Ltd.
1, Promachon Eleftherias Street
2nd floor
Ayios Athanasios
CY-4103 Limassol
Cyprus
T: +357 25 316560
M: +357 99 619886
F: +357 25 316561
URL: http://www.aphroditehills.com/
URL: http://www.lanitisdevelopment.com/
Chief Executive Officer: Angelos Markides
Course Director: Peter Bradburn

Lanitis E.C. Holdings Ltd.
21, Archibishop Kyprianou Street
P.O. Box 50336
CY-3603 Limassol
Cyprus
Tel.: +357 25 820920
Fax: +357 25 341361
URL: http://www.lanitis.com/

Related link:

  • British Olympic Association officials visit Cyprus:
    A high delegation of British Sports representatives along with the British Olympic Association Organising Committee visited the Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus on May 6 for a grand buggy tour of the resort. Several of Britain's more prominent sports teams will be using Aphrodite Hills as their advanced camp and site for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. [May 6, 2003]

Further information

For further information, contact Peter Michel Heilmann, Founder & Director, INVgolf.

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