USP This is the only spa in Cyprus to feature the Just Pure range of products, which contain marine based therapies and raw materials such as olive oil, seaweed and lemongrass. It is also within walking distance of the house of Dionysos in Paphos, with its famous Roman mosaics.

AMBIENCE Set within landscaped gardens lapped by the sea and designed by Parisienne Joelle Pleot, Almyra Spa calls itself the ultimate Mediterranean spa retreat - quite a claim on an island not short of top-notch spas.

It has a chic, contemporary feel to it that blends in well with the style of the hotel and its natural environment. The Almyra is a family-run hotel and although the hotel has 190 room and is geared mainly around families, there are a number of rooms designed specifically for adults for extra peace and quiet.

The style of the spa is very minimalist with neutral colours and spacious rooms that accentuate, rather than drown out, the sea views. The only real dash of colour comes in the form of the "Pink Room" – a mini beauty parlour where you can have manicures, pedicures and makeovers. All treatment suites – there are 11 in total - have fantastic sea views.

Signature treatments include the Mountain Herb Retreat and a body massage of eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and sage oils followed by a wrap and scalp massage.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE The Just Pure range follows the Moon phase concept, which charts the four phases of the moon - waxing moon to full moon, and waning moon to new moon. I had a little difficult getting my head around this – but I gathered that we were in a waxing moon to full moon phase, meaning the body needs to absorb as many nutrients and vitamins as possible. The emphasis is on oil baths and creamy body packs. In the waning moon to new moon phase the body needs to detox and purify itself, so the emphasis is on detoxifying wraps and cleansing facials.

I had a Seaweed Scrub followed by a White Algae Cocoon Body Wrap which, to be honest, sounded a little terrifying. My chirpy therapist Leanne was very reassuring and informative. She used a seaweed and sea salt exfoliator on my skin, followed by a hydrating lotion. The algae cocoon involved being covered in algae oil and a calming mask, with added coconut and orange milk as my skin seemed dehydrated. I was then wrapped up in a towel and plastic sheet and left for 20 minutes. The idea is that while your body heats up in the cocoon, it absorbs the oil at the same time.

Besides a slight itch on my nose, which I could do little about in my mummified state, I found myself dozing off to the sound of classical music. The cocoon idea seemed to work and my skin felt noticeably better afterwards. I was recommended a daily body scrubbing regime (using a body brush) to exfoliate and improve circulation.

Further treatments included a Chi Yang Facial, designed to regenerate and repair the skin. My skin was apparently very dry, and drank in the various creams and lotions that Leanne put on my face. After an hour’s massage I was left to soak in a coco orange fruit bath – this a great way to unwind after a treatment and allows you time to soak up the views.

FOOD The Eazone serves light Mediterranean cuisine and a new Gourmet Deli does therapeutic tonics and teas. For breakfast you can choose from fresh fruit juice, smoothies and organic tea, followed by fruit parfait, organic bread and local honey. In the evenings, over at the hotel, there are traditional meze style meals, local Cypriot dishes and plenty of fresh seafood. If you’re daring enough you might treat yourself to an ‘Omaske dinner’, a five to nine course dinner that head chef Sebastian Cassagnol will create for you. He will sit down with you first to see what you like and the rest is based on trust (‘omaske’ literally means ‘trust the chef’).

IN-CROWD Most of the visitors to the spa – up to 60 per cent – are British, along with many Germans, French and Swedes. The hotel is a popular venue for weddings.

WALLET WATCH Massages range from £70 for a fusion massage to £125 for a Chakra Hot Stone Massage. The aroma massage costs £70 and a fruit bath an extra £28. An exfoliating body treatment will typically cost around £45. An hour’s body wrap, such as the White Algae Cocoon, will cost £75. Facials begin at £75.

Select Collection (0207 4917171; www.selectcollection.co.uk) offers three night packages at Almyra with return economy flights to Paphos and roundtrip airport transfers from £525 per person.

NEED TO KNOW Almyra Spa, Poseidnos Avenue, CY-8042 Paphos, Cyprus (+ 357 26 88 87 20; www.almyra.com/spa.aspx) Email: almyra@thanoshotels.com)

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