I stayed in the real-life City of Dreams where guests are treated like royalty

Most Cypriot hotspots will have you visit either far side of the island's perimeter.

Paphos and Ayia Napa are already established tourist destinations without even mentioning the country's capital, Nicosia, but they'll have you sequestered with little wiggle room for exploration. Limassol, a very much underrated gem in Cyprus' south, benefits from centring itself between multiple gorgeous, historic and lively areas while also newly boasting the hotel equivalent of El Dorado.

Travellers hitting the sunny Mediterranean island can access Limassol via Paphos International Airport or Larnaca International Airport - direct four-hour flights are available from Manchester and Liverpool airports respectively. Once landed, the journey to your destination is less than an hour away but noticeable in the distance long before then.

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The City of Dreams resort towers over the landscape with its unmistakable pyramid-like architecture. The up-and-coming urban development area is in its infancy so the resort benefits from little to no neighbours and an immediate feeling of grandeur. Pulling up you realise it's less of a hotel and more of a self-contained city (reflected in its suitably issued name). You won't see anything else for miles because of the lush vegetation in the grounds but why would you need to? You'll soon realise everything you need is just a few feet away from the grand glass entrance.

The immediate feeling of luxury sweeps you away. The ceilings are so tall you won't see them even in your peripheral vision but your attention is drawn to the lobby located at a crossroads of high-end stores including Cartier, Damiani, Zenith and TUMI. The sprawling layout wraps around itself with Europe's largest casino nestled humbly in the centre featuring its own bar and entertainment stage. It's even caught the attention of celebrities who have taken to the vicinity to film music videos, most recently Cypriot Eurovision pop star Silia Kapsis. Between the extraordinary looming architecture and marbled finishings to the dazzling lights and sounds of the casino, it's easy to be overwhelmed in the best possible way before you've even checked in.

When you're ready to put your feet up you can do so in rooms akin to luxury apartments. The City of Dreams is the tallest resort in Cyrpus - 14 storeys - which makes the sprawling horizon of crystal-clear blue ocean outside your window all the more impressive. Despite the stunning views, especially at night when the Old Port comes to life with twinkling lights, there's so much to explore regardless of how inviting the rooms may be.

Anyone with wanderlust will be thrilled to know key areas of Cyprus are more accessible here than anywhere else. Adventurous groups can trek 6,404 feet to the highest point of the country, Mount Olympus, on guided tours or in hired Jeeps, taking in the breath-taking beauty of the Troodos Mountains and the hidden village of Platres along the way. The mountain is a drastically different experience to the dusty heat most tourists will be familiar with but one that shouldn't be overlooked given the once-in-a-lifetime views the opportunity offers.

On the other hand, if a quick history lesson is more your forte, you can explore the ancient Kourion archaeological site. Here you'll find the third-century remains of a prominent building, the ‘House of Eustolios’, which was originally a private villa that was turned into a public recreation centre and Greco-Roman amphitheatres still used today for the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama.

Omodos welcomes tourists hoping to put their feet up with extensive options of restaurants and cafes serving up the biggest meze platters you've ever seen. The quaint, stamped-in-time village is a keyhole insight into the reality of locals living day to day with its boutique stores, winery remains, catholic church and park. If you want a quick bite away from the tourist traps, Omodos has you covered.

The city of Limassol is right on your doorstep and will very much appeal to city slickers wanting a bit of modern normality. Boasting sprawling golden beaches, classic open-air Mediterranean clubs and no shortage of shopping and food options to choose from, Limassol is a sneaky secret for modern adventurers, with excursions for all of the above available via the Limassol Tourist Board.

The City of Dreams is a foody paradise in its own right that truly caters to everyone without being hyperbolic. If you want steak on Monday, French on Tuesday, pan-Asian on Wednesday and Mediterranean on Thursday the resort has you covered. The Amber Dragon restaurant recently recruited the skills of Otto Wong, the executive chef at the Pearl Dragon Cantonese restaurant in Macau, for an exquisite Michelin-grade menu including sushi, roasted Beijing duck, wok-fried lobster, sweet and sour Iberico pork and more. From the first bite, there's no questioning you're in exceptional hands.

Along the sprawling corridors and accessible via the City of Dreams' courtyard is a meat lovers' dream come true - Prime Steakhouse. Beautiful cuts from Creekstone Farm Black Angus sit next to Snake River Farm crossbred Wagyu on the menu with fish, sharing options and a mouth-watering selection of starters to choose from for hearty eaters. When you're ready to burst, you can relax in the outdoor cigar lounge to finish the remainder of your Merlot.

Across the way is Anaïs, Europe's first French gastropub, a unique fusion only pulled off by the venue's expert hands. Nowhere else in the world can you dine on oven-baked escargot and guinea fowl while enjoying outdoor performances from fire breathers and dancers. When you're finished, you can take whatever drinks you're not willing to part ways with across to the neighbouring bar where you'll lose track of time. Before you know it, you've spent hours sipping cocktails under the starry sky with live DJs, a lively atmosphere and the quintessential party vibe of the Mediterranean.

During the day, the many pools are where you want to be. A bar sits front and centre you can wade towards and behind it a quick pitstop for food, not too far from the buffet range provided by the Aura restaurant. Adults can bask in the scorching sun while little ones run wild in the adventure park featuring zip lines and coasters or the specially made aqua world play area.

There's enough distance between the two families of all ages can sneak away and enjoy their desired time without feeling disjointed from their members. There are even tennis courts, wave-riding and indoor gaming centres to immerse yourself in. Although, if like me, you prefer a zen experience, the on-site spa will have you and your knots taken care of.

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