Shemesh Villa

Me and my eldest son (10 years) had a great week traveling around Cyprus. For four nights we stayed at Shemesh Villa. We had a wonderful stay and really felt like home. Grahame met us at the airport in the middle of the night and we were friends from that point. He were always there to talk to us, to serve us the most fantastic breakfasts (we didn´t try his dinners this time), to show us where to go on excursions and to follow us to the village tavernas. The evenings in the beautiful living room with music and long talks also are so very memorable. Since we didn´t have the opportunity to meet Jenni this time I guess we have to come back very soon again! /Anna and Love from Sweden

I stayed at Shemesh Villa about a month ago on a week-long holiday. It was just me, without a car, and limited funds, so I was a little nervous going to Cyprus. But the hospitality at Shemesh Villa really set my fears aside. Grahame and Jenni were amazing hosts- very friendly, very hospitable, and very eager to serve! Grahame makes high-quality meals: don't bother eating out! The room was beautiful, as were the rest of the surroundings. Don't hesitate to consider staying here!

We read the online reviews and thought they MUST be exaggerrated - they were not, Grahame & Jenni are just as fab as everyone says. Perfect hosts, the villa is beautiful, the breakfast even better. We stayed a week and had a memorable wedding anniversary there with Grahame producing a top restaurant quality 3 course dinner. They are a mine of info for newcomers to the island and we would highly recommend this venue for a great trip. We certainly hope to see them again soon. D & B Smyth, Buckinghamshire, England.

We have stayed with Graham and Jennie and loved every moment of our staying with them. Wonderfull place, exceptional hospitality, delitious food and every thing to make our vacation a lovely experiance. Yaffit & Uri

What a great place. The village is quaint and away from busy tourist areas. The rooms are very attractive and spacious. Grahame & Jenny are great hosts. Grahame really helped us to see Cyprus with great directions and advice. The breakfasts were excellent and if you get a chance to have dinner it is well worth it. We really felt like we were at home. Such a friendly atmosphere.

Shemesh villa is one of the most pleasant, beautiful and best accommodation where i've ever stayed! Jenny and Grahame, this really really friendly couple make you visit to Cyprus a lot better. If you wish you can stay for dinner. Who likes very good food that's nicely presented you have to eat there at least for 1 evening. Hope to go back for one time. You come there and you feel yourself immediately at home. We see this people now as our family. Grahame, Jenny if you read this keep in mind that you are still in our mind. Hope to see you in Belgium next year. xxxx Clara Santos

We liked Agia Anna and we really loved Shemesh. Grahame & Jenni - who run Shemesh - are truly heavenly hosts. They could not be more welcoming and helpful towards their guests. Grahame in particular is a mine of useful information about the island and gave us some great ideas about where to go and what to see - complete with very detailed maps and directions. Grahame is also an excellent cook and we took full advantage of the 'optional extra' of having him cook a delicious evening meal - served in the cosy dining room - for us on more than one occasion. This added variety to our dining experiences as Grahame's gourmet-style meals were a complimentary contrast to the copious quantities of simple local food served at the 2 traditional meze tavernas in Agia Anna. Our accommodation - on the upper floor - was very comfortable and spacious. We enjoyed sitting in the communal lounge downstairs - especially relaxing in front of the wood burning stove during the chilly evenings. There were plenty of places to sit outside and enjoy the sunny days as well as a large shaded balcony (accessed directly from the bedrooms). We also had use of the well equipped guests' kitchen - we found this very handy for preparing drinks and snacks. We are already looking forward to returning to Shemesh ourselves and would certainly recommend it to anyone who, like us, was looking for a great place to relax and unwind. Just one thing to bear in mind, because Shemesh has 2 adjacent guest rooms, you may not be as lucky as we were - for all but the last night of our stay - to have Shemesh (and Grahame and Jenni) to yourself for the entire time.

My husband and me stayed there for 5 nights. The house is absolutely beautiful, the room very nice and the balcony very agreable. The different breakfast of every day was very, very tasty. The owners are very friendly and help you to travel around the island. And also in the village there are 2 good taverns. We have travelled very much around the world an we like B&B so much but I can say this B&B is the best where I have stay in all my life. I recommend to everybody.

Dear Jenni, dear Grahame, dear Reader, Today I received following sentence "Whatever you do from the heart is absolutely effective". It confirms the secret of pure hospitality reigning at the Shemesh villa. It's a B&B, R&R and ... L&L (Love and Life) Love from, Adrienn, Felicia and Geoffroy

My stay at Shemesh Villa is my all time favorite experience at a bed and breakfast. The hosts, Grahame and Jenni, are exceptionally warm, informal, quite interesting/knowledgeable, were great companions as well as provided first class services in terms of lodging (immaculate, beautiful) and food (abundant, fresh, exceptional quality). Jenni's cappucinos were a work of art. I thoroughly enjoyed our late night conversation about music, Cyprus history and ecology. I unequivocably recommend this place!

Shemesh villa is a wonderfull guesthouse. The rooms are very spacious and clean, and have a very nice, big terrace where you can sit outside, enjoying the tranquility of the village. Grahame and Jenni are great hosts: Wherever you go, Lefkosia, Paphos or a wine tour in the mountains, Grahame has always a map of the region and tells you about the do's and don'ts of your destination. We loved our stay and we'll be back if we can!

What a beautiful house. Wonderful hosts being able to answer any question, to make you feel at home and still share with you the secrets of a new culture. Shemesh villa is a place for individualists. Away from mass tourism you are where the native people are. On the countryside, among cipriotic people, you may be the only tourist in the whole village. Grahame and Jennie help you to adapt. They show you where to go, where to dine and what to see. The breakfast is so rich and healthy that you can spare out lunch. If you take dinner be prepared to have a tasty and also aesthetic meal (Grahame is a photographer). Five stars in any regard.

If anyone wants to go to Cyprus and have a wonderfull holiday, Shemesh Villa is the ideal place to be. Grahame and Jenny are the most friendly people we have ever met. You can ask just anything you want and they'll be there for you. We enjoyed everything about the villa. The room was amazing and so clean, we had one meal in the villa but it was just what we wanted. The breakfast was delicious.. and I could go on forever. We realy enjoyed our trip, and we're missing it already.

1. LOCATION The villa is located in the secluded village Ayia Anna. Perfect for those who want a country/village styled holiday. When night falls, the stars shake away their blanket, astounding you with how bright they are; you will be lulled to sleep in no time. Perfect for city-dwellers who would like some peace and quiet. 2. ARCHITECTURE Fabulous old stone house with its documented history decorated in a classic fashion. 3. ROOMS Luxurious king size bed that will sooth your aching body after a day of exploration or water sports. 4. VIEW A verandah connects to the bedroom through a French door. It holds a view of most of the village. You could easily spend a whole afternoon just lazing there with your favourite drink. 5. HOSPITALITY Personalised hospitality at its best. Grahame and Jenni do not just greet you as guests; but like old friends whom you have not met for a really long time. 6. FOOD Gourmet breakfasts that have you waiting to have breakfast all over again. The table setting is exceptional; the food presentation is nothing short of exquisite; the freshest of produce is being used; the ambient background music during breakfast is a wonderful touch that shows how much thought is given into making meal times such a wonderful experience. 7. CONCIERGE Best travel advice given anytime on where to explore: From advice on where to go off the well trodden path in exploring Cyprus to where best to have a little dose of Cypriot music and dancing. 8. ENTERTAINMENT Grahame and Jenni are wonderful conversationalists; best enjoyed over a nice drink and a night-long of meaningful conversation. 9. CONCLUSION At the end of your stay, as a bonus, you will find that you've actually brought back two very important souvenirs: A wholesome experience of living in a traditional Cypriot stone house in a charming village AND two great friends in Grahame and Jenni.Su Chun and Pam

We booked on the strength of reviews & the Villa website. As well travelled tourists and 'expats' living & working in some unusual places, I have to say this was a genuine 'treat', everything said is true; exceptional service, wonderful meals, hosts who make everything easy and a great break from the 'real world'. Cyprus can seem over-developed and too touristic, but I experienced the opposite here and really appreciated our stay. Gary & Nancy Wildfeir-Field

I cannot recommend this place highly enough. From the very first email exchange the level of personal care and welcome was exceptional. I travel a lot and am too often dissapointed - not this time. Everything was better than I could have hoped. Grahame and Jenny made my few days with them feel more like staying in the home of good friends than a b&b found by chance on the net. Every little detail from being picked up from the airport to being sent on my way in the car they arranged for me, was well done. And fresh roses, a lovely room, delicious breakfasts and the most amazing evening meal - piled treat upon treat. What a find!

We spent a delightful week at the Villa Shemesh with my mother. She had never visited Cyprus, and the village of Agia Anna is conveniently located close to the Airport and not too far from some beautiful beaches - around Cabo Greco and Aphrodite's Rock - and many cultural sites. It is a very charming setting with beautiful traditional architecture and landscaping, and the host Graham is both very welcoming, discreet and helpful, ensuring a very pleasant and restful stay. The food is healthy, delicious and artistically presented in a very gourmet style, and the whole setting of the place is altogether tasteful. And it is so good to have a really delicious espresso in the morning!!!!!! The village taverna is very authentic and serves traditional village foods, as well as staging musical entertainement, where one can observe the local Cypriots, young and old, performing their traditional dances. My mother loved it and so did I. Thank you Graham for a wonderful stay.

First impressions were everything, and when our host came out to greet us, it was like meeting an old friend, and that is how our short stay continued, for Grahame and Jenny were very easy to be with and made us feel at home as friends rather than just guests. We were well looked after. The food was exquisite, the bed so comfortable you didn't want to get out of it, and it was all so relaxing. They couldn't do enough for you. We would definitely go back even if it was just to say "hi" to our hosts. Lin and Baz, Cambridge.

For our three day bird and wild flower watching in the Larnaca area we chose to stay at Shemesh Villa because of it's scenic setting, tastefully built house and the promise of excellent food as explained on the web site. We were not disappointed. Grahame and Jenni welcomed us to share their home in a most pleasant, unassuming and helpful manner. We felt relaxed and part of the family. The house had an historical feeling even though it was recently built. Grahame's cooking was unbelievably good and not to be missed. We would highly recommend Shemesh Villa as a quality base from which to explore the Larnaca area which is rich with wildlife at this time of the year. In our three days we noted approximately 90 species of bird. Thank you Grahame and Jenni for making our 3 days so special.

I work in hospitality, so I can't help but go into evaluation mode when staying at a guest house. After spending four nights at Shemesh Villa, I feel like I've just attended a seminar on the art of service. The management couple create a warm, friendly environment without being over-attentive. I found it very easy to relax. The food is spectacular and carefully prepared. I found myself really looking forward to meal times. The house itself is beautifully decorated and well maintained. Everything felt clean and fresh. I highly recommend Shemesh Villa. You won't be disappointed. Matt

This is a gorgious and very quaint house, which gave us a real feel for the culture and beauty of the island. The quiet location and roomy accomodation made our stay so relaxing and peaceful. The food was so amazing that we felt like we were at a gormet restaurant at every meal! The host and hostess were incredibly servant hearted, and really willing to go out of their way to help us with anything we needed. Even extensive directions and suggestions for our touring plans were provided. Absolutely a bargain and a wonderful experience!

B&B's can be hit and miss, so you never know what you'll get till you get there. We've been to B&B's and little lodges all over the island and we can say for certain that we haven't experienced such a great place anywhere else. What can we say .... you will not be disappointed. We were overwhelmed by luxury and food. Simply the best!!!!!!

We had a most enjoyable and relaxing stay. We were so well taken care of, we didn't want to leave! The beautiful house, warm hospitality and the food was exceptional! What an experience - hard to put into words. Thank you Jenny and Grahame!

I was thoroughly spoilt. Treated like a queen! It is a lovely setting and the food was fantastic. I would recommend it to any friend or family, especially if they needed a treat or a place to chill out.

Shemesh Villa is a truly lovely villa experience. The owners are warm and personable, the rooms immaculate and inviting, the food excellent in taste and presentation, the views relaxing. I loved hearing the live Greek music wafting over the night air as I sat on my upper patio. Thank you for a great first Cyprus adventure! I highly recommend Shemesh Villa.

We came to Cyprus last June to get married from Israel. It was our first time on the island and we have been welcomed by Grahame and Jenny. They have been such gorgeous hosts. We organised our wedding with their help without knowing them, just talking on the phone. Since the beginning, Grahame and Jenny made everything to offer us the happiness of this day. Villa Shemesh is a very peacefull place to stay, located on a small village, very quiet and the room was absolutely unforgettable. The food was delicious and the atmosphere so soft, so family. Thank you so much for to Grahame and Jenny for this beautiful moment of love in our life. Serge and Claire

It is really outstanding place! With amazing people who hosted us, with beatiful rooms, outstanding service. The meals are the most delecious we ever had. It is peacefull, quite, beatifull, foll of rest place. We HIHGLY recomend it! we defintely going to come back! ;-)

Our stay at Shemesh with Grahame and Jenni was exceptional. Genuine Australasian / Cypriot hospitality, great food, comfortable beds and pillows and coffee I would travel the country for. The location is a good base to explore Cyprus on day trips and is close enough to the city if want the nightlife. We were quite happy just to relax at the villa and in the village. If you are a cyclist or runner - don't forget your gear as it would be an excellent base for some serious training. Garry and Kelly - Australia

Our small family (couple with 2 small kids) was in need of timeout and a relaxing holiday! And with 2 little ones under 2 years it almost seems impossible to get timeout! But this place, this beautiful Shemesh Villa was the best stay we've ever had... anywhere! and we can honestly say the children have never been so relaxed! There is a strong feeling of peace in this place. Something we all long for! The food was delicious! Not to mention the coffee's! i'll have another one now please! Thank you again Grahame and Jenni for this unique and truly luxurious experience! yes, even with little ones!

Shemesh Villa is located about 15 minutes from the airport in a lovely picturesque stone village called Agia Anna. Beside the charming stone house, the brilliant hosts Grahame and Jenny, whom I would now call friends, will ensure your stay is everything you could have asked for and more. The rooms opening out onto the stone balcony are lovely, and breakfast in the morning is delicious. Grahame and Jenny are outstanding cooks, who bake srumctious goodies each morning. This couple really goes the extra mile, and esnures only the best ingrdients are used to ensure you ave a true Cyriot food experience. Also make sure you visit the village Taverna in the evening and that you have not eaten for 2 days before hand. Also make sure you visit the monestry Stavroini at sunset about 20 minutes from the Shemesh, you will never see a more beautiful sunset. Shemesh is ideally located to beaches and surrounding towns. I would defentiely visit again!

I have stayed in hotels and B&B's all over the world but this one is now top of my list. True hospitality, great food, wonderful company, very pleasant surroundings, luxurious bed. Simply the BEST!

Our stay with Grahame and Jennie was a wonderful and memorable experience. They are brilliant hosts and Grahame's cooking is worthy of any top class restaurant. We arrived as guests and left as friends. We recommend everyone to experience their warmth and hospitality. We will curtainly be returning. Thank you again Jennie and Grahame.

Christina Kolmert,Sweden