Stay at the Vouni Lodge... with your dog

Breakfast in the courtyard outside our apartment

I've just got back from a really lovely weekend away at Vouni, in the Lemessos district, and have to tell you about the beautiful apartment that we stayed in. I found the Vouni Lodge from the Responsible Travel website: http://www.responsibletravel.com, actually because I read a review from a previous guest who claimed they had problems with a fellow guest's dog (all the other reviews were extremely positive, I should add). Always on the lookout for dog-friendly hotels and apartments it caught my attention, so I did a bit more research - even negative reviews can bring in customers, see?

Anyway, the Lodge is in a very quiet and peaceful village - Vouni - about 30 km from Lemessos and the lovely coastline around by ancient Kourion, and about 20 km from the Troodos mountains. It is a beautifully restored old stone house, which buffers the extreme temperatures of outside and stayed lovely and cool all through the day. It's a perfect escape from the heat of Cypriot summer. Saying that, we were quite tempted by the idea of a Christmas/wintery stay too, huddling around the fireplace....

Bedroom of the Helena Apartment

Living and kitchen area of the Helena Apartment

There are 3 apartments at the Lodge, two on the ground floor opening onto the courtyard, and one on the upper storey with a large balcony and great views out over the village and surrounding hills.

We stayed in the Helena, which was gorgeous. The owners have put a great effort into keeping the traditional feel of the place, displaying lots of timber and exposed stone throughout the space, and decorating with simple furnishings. On the other hand, all the facilities were new and in good condition - bathroom, kitchen etc, and they have even provided wireless internet!

It really seemed a place to escape to for at least a week (you could even bring your laptop and continue working), and a great base to explore the other  small villages in the area, as well as trips into the Troodos mountains for walking, cycling, nature watching....

And the best part? It is pet-friendly. This is stated on the website. I still checked, and the owners were very accommodating. Reading the Visitors' Book, it seems like quite a few people have brought their pets with them (including a cat!), or otherwise enjoyed adopting the small, friendly stray from the village. But not to put off those who don't have pets - the apartment was spotlessly clean.

As well as the courtyard area which was completely sealed once the gate was closed, there was a small garden for Sage to explore, full of flowers, olive trees and overhanging vines.

In the garden at the Vouni Lodge

This weekend there was nobody else there, so we could relax and let Sage have the run of the place. Inevitably, if there were other guests in the other apartments, we would have had to keep more of an eye on her. The local cats who sunbathe on the balcony are also a minor consideration, depending on your dog.

Prices start from 45E per night if you are staying for a week or more, and I got the feeling it might depend a bit on the season too. We paid 60E per night.

Email: Vouni.Lodge@cytanet.cy

Telephone: +357 22 323385

Mobile: +357 99 685395

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