Location: Cyprus

Located in the Limassol region of Cyprus, amongst the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, Apokryfo is a charming stone-built boutique guesthouse. A hidden oasis of tranquilty, in the pictureesque village of Lofou, Aprokyfo is a cluster of traditional stone-built houses surrounding a serene courtyard, an outdoor pool and a secluded garden. ROOMS Apokryfo offers a range of accommodation options, with suites and one-bedroom studios or stone-built houses with two-three bedrooms; all equipped with satellite TV, DVD/CD player, WiFi internet, king size beds, central heating, and air conditioning. Several of the rooms have fireplaces and others have fully equipped kitchens and private courtyards. DINING The Agrino Restaurant is open from 8am – 10pm and serves delicious, traditional Cypriot cuisine, with a menu that changes weekly. The food is exceptionally good with wholesome dishes, made using fresh ingredients. Think halloumi, fluffy home baked bread, crisp-fried amari cheese pastries, a sequence of mezes, slow-cooked kleftiko lamb and syrupy warm loukoumades. ACTIVITIES Apokryfo is perfectly situated for you to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Take it slow and wander through the sleepy village of Lofou, visit a local taverna for lunch, or opt for an active afternoon of hiking and mountain biking. Within a 30-minute drive from Apokryfo, you will find the bustling City of Limassol and its restaurants, beach clubs and shops, as well as beautiful, pristine beaches and three golf courses within a 30-minute drive. Located in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, you are in an ideal location for skiing in the winter months and day sailing excursions or sunset cruises can be arranged on board luxury yachts around Limassol Bay at other times. SUSTAINABILITY Apokryfo is the labour of love of Cypriot architect Vakis Hadjikyriacou and his British wife Diana, a talented interior designer. In 2008, after purchasing a quartet of ramshackle stone houses, few without roofs, others overrun with pomegranite trees, they transformed the area into five picture perfect suites and four stylish houses. Local builders and skilled craftsmen used traditional materials and long-forgotten building techniques to renovate the stone houses. The entire project was designed with respect to the environment and to revive the local community of Lofou, and its surrounding villages, by employing and engaging young people to stay and live in the countryside. BOOKING Booking.com – click here for rates Agoda – click here for rates Expedia – click here for rates TRANSPORT Both Paphos and Larnaca airports have scheduled and charter flights arriving daily. Paphos airport is slightly closer (40 min) and Larnaca (1hr 15min). You will need care hire or transport to reach the hotel. Emirates – click here for rates British Airways DESTINATION:TOGETHER REVIEW Apokryfo is a delightful mountain hotel, with a certain Cypriot charm that can only be experienced when sitting beside the beautiful stone pool and enjoying the exceptional homecooked food, that is remeniscent of my dear Yiayia’s (my Cypriot grandmother’s) cooking. The food at Apokryfo is not to be missed and one of the highlights of our stay. The houses are fantastic for families, quaint but comfortably furnished, and the kitchen area is great for families who want to whip up a quick snack in-between meals. While we visited with a baby and a young child, you will need to be careful with toddlers walking on the uneven stone steps. For this reason, it is best suited for babies (baby cribs are available), older children and teens. With that being said, we are still booked to visit again with our young children, as the hotel itself is one we just cannot stay away from. The pool is fairly small but we enjoyed a refreshing dip each day, after long walks and visits to nearby villages. If you are visiting Cyprus, we recommend combining a beachside hotel, with a few days at Apokryfo. Here you will have the experience of staying in a traditional stone-built house, in a Cypriot mountain village, with wholesome food and the space to relax in peace. Samantha, DESTINATION: TOGETHER