I went to Vegas-like holiday resort in Europe with glamorous concierges, adventure parks & island's biggest pool complex
SLOTS OF FUN I went to Vegas-like holiday resort in Europe with glamorous concierges, adventure parks & island's biggest pool complex
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
SLOT machines flash and jingle as I soak up the atmosphere at the City of Dreams Mediterranean in Cyprus.
This vast five-star resort features a super-casino, restaurants, bars entertainment and 500 hotel rooms — and is the first of its kind in Europe allowing guests to roll the dice after a dip in one of its many pools.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
Test your surfing skills on the resort's Waverider
Credit: Supplied
3
This vast five-star resort features a super-casino, restaurants, bars entertainment and 500 hotel rooms
Credit: Supplied
Insiders tell me it's just the start of ambitions to transform the area into a hybrid of Miami and Vegas within the next five years.
If my two nights at the resort, near Limassol, were any indication, they are well on their way.
Stepping inside, I was struck by the obvious luxury — guests are welcomed into a grand marble lobby lined with designer shops.
Within seconds a glamorous concierge appears with a hot towel for your hands as a bellboy collects your bags.
Moments later I was window shopping on my way to my suite, spotting Burberry, Gucci, and Dolce and Gabbana collections.
Decorated in pine tones, my room felt like my very own Nordic spa with a massive tub, separate shower room, and a huge bed with pillows I melted into.
The showstopper was the view from the balcony looking across the resort — the largest pool complex in Cyprus and a mecca for families and big kids like me.
As well as the sparkling multiple pools surrounded by palm trees for shade, water slides and rapids there's a dedicated adventure park that will keep even the fussiest child happy.
It features an 18-hole miniature golf course, zip-line coaster, climbing wall, high ropes obstacle courses and a huge playground.
The resort's Kids' City is open every day from 10am to 8pm with supervised activities for four to 12-year-olds and by night there are movie and theatre evenings with free popcorn.
All the free activities Cyprus has to offer
For those seeking a different type of thrill there is of course the casino. While Mum and Dad enjoy a flutter, a gaming room offers snooker and retro arcade favourites like Pac-Man and table hockey. Large sofas face wall-mounted TVs with gaming consoles on hand to keep the teenagers busy.
A short drive away from the hotel are sandy beaches and the vibrant city of Limassol with its regenerated marina and lavish yachts bobbing in the waters.
Arming myself with a coffee from Paul bakery, I walked along a boulevard of chic cafes and restaurants you would see on any posh British high street — Jamie Oliver's, a Wagamama, and multiple Greek tavernas.
From there it's an easy stroll into the old town along cobbled streets that lead to Kolossi Castle.
In the Middle Ages, Cyprus was a target for Crusader campaigns to the Holy Land, and this 15th-century fortress is filled with treasures from the time.
Exhibits of ancient pottery, oil lamps and coins from Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman eras are on display in the great hall. I found myself marvelling at tombstones bearing intricate carvings of Crusader knights and ancient symbols.
In the belly of the castle is an even older underground chapel which is dark, windowless and quiet. It was here that King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) married Berengaria of Navarre.
I felt time stop for a moment, and could picture the bride and groom standing next to the very stones of the ancient altar in this peaceful underground grotto.
Stunning frescoes
Amazingly you can taste the oldest wine in the world that was served at King Richard's wedding, called Commandaria, on a visit to the village of Agios Konstantinos.
The excursion can be arranged at the City of Dreams Mediterranean hotel's front desk. Another must-do trip is to the charming village of Omodos, in the heart of the Troodos Mountains.
Renowned for its traditional stone houses, Omodos is a picturesque spot and at its centre lies Timios Stavros Monastery, which dates back to the early 1800s.
The preserved Byzantine church is filled with wood carvings and stunning frescoes.
After a day spent exploring Cyprus's history, or enjoying the adrenalin rush of the casino, the City of Dreams Mediterranean's cave-like spa is the perfect spot to rest weary feet.
This was my favourite place and I could feel my muscles immediately relax in the sauna, before booking myself in for a massage.
With entertainment and relaxation options nailed down at the hotel, I couldn't wait for dinner at one of the four restaurants. As well as a buffet, there are three speciality restaurants serving French, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine.
3
Try your luck on the resort's banks of slot machines
Credit: Supplied
The Amber Dragon, sibling of a two-star Michelin venue in Macau, serves up sushi and sashimi, dim sum and stir-fried classics as well as the best BBQ roasted duck I'd ever tasted.
A chef prepared shreds of the mouthwatering bird in front of us as little baskets of pancakes and dishes of greens were laid out — I was in food heaven.
Next up were the divine Shanghai dumplings that melted into a little soup, while dessert was a golden dumpling treat that resembled an ice-cream Scotch egg.
Afterwards I headed to the casino's roulette table. I was hoping it was my lucky night!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
35 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
First tourists visit North Korea's ghostly ‘Benidorm' resort where ‘minders' follow visitors & phones are ‘bugged'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NORTH Korea has welcomed its first tourists to its ghostly new "Benidorm" beach resort. But the initial batch of visitors have reported that they are followed everywhere and their phones are likely bugged. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 The newly built resort, called Wonsan‑Kalma, has opened for Russian tourists on package tours Credit: East2West 10 A group of 13 inaugural guests went to the resort Credit: East2West 10 Russian tourists watched 24/7 on a rare trip inside the repressive state Credit: East2West The newly built resort, called Wonsan‑Kalma, has opened for Russian tourists on package tours. It features a a giant artificial white sand beach - once a missile test site - on the Sea of Japan, and was opened by dictator Kim Jong Un himself. But Russian guests say the experience is very different inside a state even more repressive than their own. "You are accompanied everywhere… even on the beach someone walked with us," according to blogger Daria Zubkova. read more in world news VLAD'S U-TURN Putin suddenly cancels Russia's naval parade after huge losses in Ukraine war Yet this was as "sweet concern" for guests rather than more ominous snooping, she added. "They are walking [with you]. "[If] you want, they chat with you, [if not] they just walk behind you." Daria added that the minders "argue that they worry about us getting lost or something else". But the veterinary therapist added: "What many people are afraid of….is some kind of wiretapping everywhere and so on. "Most likely, I think that there is probably all of this, but we just weren't afraid, because we have nothing to say that would make someone scold us for it." North Korea's 'Benidorm' to FINALLY open next week as tyrant Kim Jong-Un cuts ribbon - and Brits have signed up to visit The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to reports, and has jet-skis. Russian tourists holidaying there must make their own way to the eastern city of Vladivostok. From there they are flown into North Korea - to the capital city of Pyongyang. But once in the country, the group of 13 inaugural guests had their short flight from Pyongyang to Wonsan was suddenly cancelled - and a train arranged instead. "An entire train for just 13 people is simply unthinkable," said Daria. "It was new, very comfortable, with air conditioning." 10 The resort has opened for its first guests Credit: East2West 10 North Korean tyrant Kim Jong Un opens Wonsan-Kalma pet project beach resort Credit: East2West 10 Russian tourist Daria Zubkova shows an empty beach in Wonsan-Kalma resort Credit: East2West 10 The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to reports Credit: East2West She added: "I saw villages [from the windows of the train]….people are working in the fields, not very rich people." Another tourist Lyudmila said: "I was even interested in riding the train, because for the first time I saw that the mountains they paint in their pictures really exist. "It is also very interesting to see the country from the train." But once they got to Wonsan, their hotel was full with visiting officials and journalists accompanying Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. The tourists were then moved to inferior accommodation. Tourists were also told that sending emails cost £1.65 each. The tour company made clear that the secret police would have the opportunity to monitor their messages. "Please note that the email will be sent from the hotel's email box, not yours. "Therefore, to make it easier to find a reply addressed to you, we recommend that you include your room number in the subject line." Tourists were also told in advance: "We recommend taking tea, coffee, sugar with you!!! Fruits are not served." But Daria added: "There were a lot of types of meat, duck, rabbit, different types of fish. They really tried to please us." The basic cost of this tour for Russians is £1,360 - once they have made their way to Vladivostok. All but £325 of this has to be paid in cash. "We like everything," said tourist Pavla Gambal. "The sea is warm, the beach is clean, they keep order. "The territory is well-kept. The food is very tasty, you can eat it." It comes at a time when when North Korea has sent soldiers to die for "ally" Vladimir Putin, along with ship loads of military equipment and ammunition. 10 Russian guests say the experience is very different inside a state even more repressive than their own Credit: East2West 10 The basic cost of this tour for Russians is £1,360 Credit: East2West
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Shocking moment Ryanair passenger sobs & hits door after being stopped from boarding as her ‘hand luggage was too big'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the shocking moment a female Ryanair passenger is left sobbing on her knees after being banned from boarding her flight. The tearful woman was left hitting a door in an emotional outburst as airport staff reportedly told her that her hand luggage was too big. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 A female Ryanair passenger was filmed crying and begging on her knees to be allowed to board a plane after staff banned her over her luggage Credit: Facebook/Nikolay Stefanov 6 She was left screaming, sobbing and venting her frustration over Ryanair's strict baggage policy Credit: Facebook/Nikolay Stefanov 6 Footage shows her trying to force her bag into the luggage rack by slamming it in after being told she had to pay extra Credit: Facebook/Nikolay Stefanov 6 Onlookers were also shocked by how the staff treated her with next to no compassion Credit: Facebook/Nikolay Stefanov Chaos unfolded at Sofia Airport in Bulgaria when the woman was left screaming, sobbing and venting her frustration over Ryanair's strict baggage policy. A packed flight was due to board a bus to their plane when the female passenger was stopped in the queue. Nikolay Stefanov, a witness to the shocking ordeal, said the woman was told she had to pay for extra baggage because her luggage didn't fit in the holdall. The woman refused to pay as she explained her bag could in fact fit. Footage shows her trying to force her bag into the luggage rack by slamming it in. The bag does eventually fit but the staff still refuse to let her board. She then breaks down in tears as she pleads with a member of the border police and takes a video of the bag which is now wedged inside the rack. Dozens of the passengers were seen watching on from behind a glass door which was all that separated them from the weeping woman. Determined to board, she then starts to bang on the door and ask for help as Nikolay films the sad ordeal. More staff quickly surround the woman as her begging grows louder. Moment Brit woman is dragged off Ryanair flight & thrown to floor after 'assaulting passengers and making bomb threat' At one point she even drops to her knees before placing her hand on the door as tears roll down her face. Nikolay said the whole situation "escalated quickly". He added: "She was pleading with us not to leave, but we were threatened that the entire flight would be cancelled if we didn't get on the bus, so passengers became frightened and left." Nikolay said many onlookers were also shocked by how the staff treated her with next to no compassion. It has also been claimed that another passenger stood behind the woman in line was removed from the flight. A Ryanair staff member allegedly said that they couldn't let him on because "reopening the gate risked the woman trying to get on the bus". The viral footage soon caught the eye of Bulgaria's parliament. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov has reportedly ordered an inspection of the airport's security cameras. Mr Karadjov is even said to have described the behaviour of employees in the video as "outrageous", reports. He has assured people that the main ground operator will be found and given the "highest fine" and a verbal warning. In response, Goldair Handling Bulgaria insisted their employees acted "professionally and without any physical contact with the passenger". The handling company released a statement to BNT News that read: "All rules regarding passengers' baggage, its permissible size and the fees payable for baggage are determined solely, entirely and unilaterally by the airlines. "Goldair Handling Bulgaria OOD is solely obliged to monitor compliance with these rules by the airlines. "This also applies to hand luggage, as Goldair Handling Bulgaria OOD is obliged to monitor the dimensions of this baggage and collect excess baggage fees. "[Staff] acted professionally and without any physical contact with the passenger." It comes as Ryanair's CEO is considering increasing bonuses paid to staff for spotting oversized luggage. The budget airline currently pays staff approximately €1.50 (£1.30) for stopping passengers with oversized bags from boarding the aircraft. Currently, staff bonuses for doing this are capped at €80 (£70) a month. Passengers who are unlucky enough to get caught out by the airline's staff are charged a fee of up to €75 (£65) for bringing luggage that is larger than they paid for while booking their journey. 6 The passenger was left hitting the door where the other passengers were waiting to board Credit: Facebook/Nikolay Stefanov
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
American in UK visits impressive service station that's 'like a theme park'
An American woman has said she's finally come to understand why Brits have a favourite service station after visiting a Welcome Break in the UK she compared to a theme park UK service stations are typically quite basic, offering a couple of eateries, a shop and toilets for travellers in need of a rest on the motorway. However, one Welcome Break UK services is drawing visitors from far and wide. An American woman was left astounded after her recent visit at the Yorkshire service station, describing it as "exquisite". Situated of the M1J33 near Rotherham, the service station boasts an array of popular chains such as Starbucks, Pret A Manger, Burger King, Chopstix, The Good Breakfast, KFC, Waitrose, and WHSmith. Not only does it offer top-notch facilities and a variety of dining options, but the service area - which opened its doors in January this year - also provides 458 parking spaces for various types of vehicles. Plus, it has resulted in the creation of around 230 new jobs. Iniki, an American woman who relocated from Florida - a state known for its large 'petrol stations' - hailed the Rotherham Welcome Break as "the nicest UK service station." In a recent TikTok post, Iniki said: "I think I finally understand when Brits say they have a favourite service station because this service station was exquisite. This is a brand new Welcome Break in Rotherham and I was thoroughly impressed." The woman, who is married to a British man, likened it to "kind of looks like a little town" and said it reminded her of Universal Studios. She described her experience as akin to "a walk in the park." The American was also impressed by the variety of dining choices, gaming section and children's play area. "So yeah, I never understood the hype about service stations until now," she added. One person remarked: "As someone who was born in Rotherham, it's strange hearing an American say it haha. Driven past this service station many times but never been in. Looks nice!". One declared it's "probably the best thing" in Rotherham. "Nicest place in Rotherham," chimed in another. "Wow, it's really nice," noted someone else. A further user commented: "I love a good service station. It's kind of like you're going on holiday, slight airport vibes without the planes or security."
