The heart of Larnaca is poised for a vibrant transformation with the arrival of new boutique hotels, several of which are currently in the planning stages and anticipated to start operations within the next three years.
This development will see the addition of at least nine small hotels to the existing 25 establishments situated within or near the city’s centre, the majority of which are committed to operating year-round.
The growing list of hotels in Larnaca extends beyond the city centre, reflecting a burgeoning interest in investments within the tourism sector.
According to data obtained by Phileleftheros from the Larnaca Municipality, a total of 18 new applications for hotel developments within the city’s limits have been submitted since 2021.
During the same period, 20 new licenses, encompassing both current and past applications, have been granted, while a further 12 are currently under review.
Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras underscored the significance of this surge, stating, “There is palpable interest from internationally recognised brands and major hotel chains, marking Larnaca’s gradual ascent on the global tourism map and catalysing growth in an industry that has seen a remarkable resurgence in recent years.”
From just over 260,000 tourist arrivals in 2015, the figure has nearly doubled to reach almost 500,000 today, demonstrating consistent annual growth. Mayor Vyras stressed that the primary focus of this interest remains centred on the city’s core.
Among the prominent brands making strategic investments in Larnaca’s city centre is the global hospitality firm, Accor.
The company recently announced the expansion of its presence by acquiring the renowned “Pallas” hotel complex situated in the eponymous square.
The newly inaugurated hotel, alongside the “Mercure Beach Resort” in Oroklini, is set to be named the “Mercure City Hotel” and is scheduled to open its doors in April 2024.
The hotel will feature 42 rooms, four suites, a roof garden with a small pool, a fitness centre, and a ground-floor restaurant.
Accor has outlined plans to introduce additional city boutique hotels to the city centre by 2025, with one earmarked for development at the intersection of Ermou and Zenon Kitieos streets, near Zouhouri Square and the Municipal Market.
In an advanced stage of development is a hotel project by Quality Group on Makarios Avenue, which will bear the hallmark of the Holiday Inn Express chain. Positioned behind the two Radisson hotels in Larnaca, the Quality Group’s new hotel is slated to open its doors to the public by 2025.
The majority of other boutique hotels earmarked for development in the city centre are concentrated in the Ayios Lazaros area, where construction has commenced on two establishments.
Simultaneously, listed residences in the vicinity are undergoing meticulous renovations to be repurposed as tourist accommodations, Phileleftheros reports.