The New Helvetia Hotel in Platres, which was recently awarded the ‘Historic Hotel of Cyprus’ label by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, is preparing to reopen following its most extensive renovation in nearly a century.

The upgrade focused primarily on the hotel’s 32 rooms and aimed to improve the overall guest experience, according to co-owner Nikos Matthaiou.

In comments to InBusiness, he said the works were part of a broader effort to preserve the hotel’s historic character while aligning with modern hospitality standards.

The renovation was made possible through funding from a Ministry of Tourism scheme that supports accommodation upgrades in rural, mountainous and remote areas.

“We received a fund last October and proceeded with a complete renovation and upgrade of the hotel, from the rooms to the public areas,” Matthaiou said.

Although the building’s exterior remained largely unchanged due to its listed status, minor adjustments such as repainting and door replacements were made. Internally, however, the renovation was extensive.

“Now our hotel is the most renovated and upgraded hotel in Platres and the wider mountain region, and we are hoping for a good season,” he added.

According to Matthaiou, this was the fifth and most significant renovation in the hotel’s history. Particular attention was given to guest comfort, with improvements to beds, bathrooms and other in-room amenities.

At the same time, original features—such as antique furniture and decorative elements—were preserved. “We kept many old pieces from when the hotel first opened, giving it the feel of a hotel-museum,” he said.

Matthaiou noted that he and his brother currently run the business and intend to pass it on to their children, now the fifth generation.

Commenting also for the 2025 season, he said visitor numbers remain difficult to predict. “Weekend bookings from Cypriot guests are stable, but demand from international tourists has declined in recent years.”

“We are discussing with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism to find ways to attract more inbound tourism,” he said.

In recent years, the hotel has also started hosting outdoor wedding receptions to support revenue during quieter periods.

“Overall, we hope that after the renovation and with our upcoming promotion and marketing campaign, we will welcome a good number of visitors,” he said.

Asked about occupancy trends, Matthaiou confirmed that, like most mountain hotels, weekends typically see the highest demand due to local tourism.

He added that “while international bookings have fallen, the hotel still attracts some visitors who pursue alternative forms of tourism such as hiking, cycling and nature exploration.”

“Although this part reduced in recent years, it still exists. We try to accommodate these specialised groups on weekdays, leaving weekends free for Cypriot and local visitors,” Matthaiou concluded.