Is The GrandResort Better Than St Raphael? Yes. It has a better finished room, better equipped staff and stronger value, though breakfast is only okay.
The GrandResort is a five star beachfront hotel in the Amathus area of Limassol, reopened in 2024 after a renovation reported at around 20 million euro. It sits a tier below the luxury group of Amara, Parklane and City of Dreams Mediterranean, but it is the better stay of the two closest neighbours.
Getting there: book a transfer from Larnaca Airport with KiwiTaxi (affiliate link), compare hire cars on Auto Europe (affiliate link), or browse tours on Klook (affiliate link).
Is The GrandResort Worth Visiting?
Yes, with the right expectations. The GrandResort sits in a different tier from Amara, Parklane and City of Dreams Mediterranean, and it is best judged against the hotels in its own tier. Against those it holds up well. It is recently renovated, it has a sandy beach directly in front, and it gives better value than St Raphael.
If you want the very top of the Limassol market, look at Amara. If you want a well finished beachfront stay without luxury level expectations, The GrandResort is a sensible choice.
The GrandResort at a Glance
- Good for: anyone choosing between this and St Raphael, a beachfront stay in a recently updated room, and families who want a kids club and family rooms with sea views.
- Less good for: anyone expecting the level of Amara, Parklane or City of Dreams Mediterranean, and anyone who wants a standout breakfast.
- Best part: the finish of the upgraded room and the staff.
- Weakest part: breakfast, which was okay and no more.
What Is the Hotel Like?
The GrandResort is part of the Limited Edition collection from Leonardo Hotels Mediterranean. When it reopened in 2024 it was the group’s seventh hotel in Cyprus and its first five star property. The renovation was reported at around 20 million euro.
The hotel has 255 rooms in a five floor building, including 21 newly built swim up rooms, set in around 4,500 square metres of gardens with 363 palm trees. There is a sandy beach directly in front, an indoor pool that is heated in winter, a spa with a hammam, jacuzzi and sauna, a kids club and four restaurants.
Where Is The GrandResort?
The hotel is in Amathus on the eastern side of Limassol, right on the sea and about an eight minute walk from the beach at St Raphael. It is a resort location rather than a city one, so plan on a car or taxi for the old town and the marina. Our Limassol guide covers what is worth the trip into town, and our guide to where to stay in Cyprus explains how this stretch of coast compares with the rest of the island.
For evenings out and day trips, compare hire cars on Auto Europe (affiliate link). For a single airport run, a private transfer with KiwiTaxi (affiliate link) is simpler. Larnaca Airport is a little under an hour away.
What Is the Room Like?
We stayed in a sea view room in the upgraded section of the hotel, and the finish was good. The room had been recently updated and it showed. Because part of the hotel has been upgraded, it is worth checking which section your room is in when you book.
According to the hotel, the range runs from deluxe rooms and family rooms with sea views to executive suites, swim up junior suites and signature suites with a private hot tub. That gives families and couples plenty to choose from.
Are Breakfast and Staff Any Good?
Breakfast was okay. It is not a reason to choose the hotel, and it is well short of the breakfast at Parklane.
The staff were better equipped than at St Raphael, and the difference was easy to notice. Our full St Raphael review covers what went wrong there.
Where Should You Eat Near The GrandResort?
You are a short walk from the St Raphael complex, where BEGE may be the best fish in Cyprus and Golden Monkey serves good Thai. A little further, Pyxida Limassol is the relaxed marina fish tavern and Meze Taverna in the old town is the classic meze. Our ranked guide to the best restaurants in Cyprus has them all, and a pre-booked driver from KiwiTaxi (affiliate link) makes a dinner with wine easy.
Is It Good Value?
In our own tiers, The GrandResort and St Raphael both sit in the semi luxury group of Limassol hotels, below Amara, Parklane, Four Seasons and City of Dreams Mediterranean. Within that group, The GrandResort is the stronger choice. It has a better finished room, better equipped staff and better value for the money.
Who Is It For?
- Anyone weighing it against St Raphael: This is the one we would pick.
- Families: Family rooms with sea views and a kids club.
- Guests who want a swim up room: The hotel has 21 newly built ones.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
If the finish of the room matters most, Amara is the stronger choice. If breakfast matters most, Parklane is better. If you want space and the best pools in the city, City of Dreams Mediterranean does both better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The GrandResort a Five Star Hotel?
Yes. It is a five star hotel in the Limited Edition collection from Leonardo Hotels Mediterranean.
When Did It Reopen?
In 2024, after a renovation reported at around 20 million euro. It was the group’s first five star hotel in Cyprus.
How Many Rooms Does It Have?
There are 255 rooms, including 21 newly built swim up rooms. They sit in a five floor building.
Is It on the Beach?
Yes. There is a sandy beach directly in front of the hotel.
Is It Better Than St Raphael?
In our experience, yes. The room was better finished, the staff were better equipped and the value was stronger.
Is It as Good as Amara or Parklane?
No. It sits a tier below them, and it should be judged against the hotels in its own tier.
Is the Breakfast Good?
It was okay, but not a highlight. Parklane is far stronger on this.
Where Is the Best Place to Eat Near The GrandResort?
A short walk away at the St Raphael complex, BEGE for fish. See the best restaurants in Cyprus for more.
How Do I Get From the Airport to The GrandResort?
Book a private transfer with KiwiTaxi (affiliate link), or compare hire cars on Auto Europe (affiliate link). Day trips are listed on Klook (affiliate link), and an Airalo (affiliate link) eSIM covers mobile data.
Final Verdict
The GrandResort is a recently renovated beachfront hotel and the clear choice over St Raphael. The sea view room in the upgraded section was well finished, the staff were better equipped and the value is stronger. Breakfast is only okay, and the hotel sits below the luxury group of Amara, Parklane and City of Dreams Mediterranean. Judged against its own tier, it is the one we would book.
For how we approach every review, see how we review hotels and restaurants in Cyprus.