The Amara Hotel has opened in Limassol, Cyprus.
Designed by SB Architects, the property is located near the historic Greek settlement of Amathus. It is the latest five-star offering and the first hotel to be constructed ground-up on the Limassol seafront in almost two decades.
In addition to SB Architects, owner Stademos Hotels also worked with The Rockwell Group, Wilson Associates and SKS Studios on the project.
Starting with a clean slate before the ground-up construction of the hotel, SB Architects' design team drew inspiration from Mediterranean style, scaling and traditional proportions to create a contemporary resort.
The hotel is designed as a series of indoor and outdoor experiences, which draw the natural world into a tightly designed plan. The arrival experience is influenced by the proportion and grandeur of Classical Greek architecture. The Rockwell Group and SB Architects created a series of public spaces including a lobby, which is modeled after a residentially scaled “Iliakos,” or enclosed veranda common to traditional Cypriot architecture, making a framed view of the sea the primary experience.
Throughout the property, there are local art and cultural influences. There are also walkways with water features.
The property has 207 hotel guestrooms and suites, all with 180-degree Mediterranean Sea views.
Amenities include a spa and restaurants, including the hotel’s rooftop bar that has unobstructed views. A large seafront event lawn located in front of the ballroom is designed to adapt to a range of events.
When excavating and clearing the area for construction, remnants including a 50-foot section of an ancient wall and a spring well, were uncovered. To protect and preserve these elements of history, the relics were preserved as a unique design feature the property.
Leveraging locally sourced materials, such as Cypriot limestone, which is indigenous to the area and reflective of the history of stonemasonry on the island, SB Architects not only referenced regional architecture but also embraced a sustainable design approach. In addition, resort landscaping features age-old olive trees, which have been protected and represent the importance of the agricultural history of the island.
Photo credit: AMARA Hotel