ARE THERE REALLY GHOSTS AT BERENGARIA?
NAMED IN HONOUR OF A QUEEN
Located near the village of Prodromos, in the Limassol district of the Troodos Mountains, the Berengaria Hotel has been a subject of much supernatural mystery. The hotel, which is said to be haunted by several ghosts, was built by Mr. Kokkalis in the early 1930’s. It was named in honour of Queen Berengaria, who was married to Richard the Lionheart in Limassol Castle in 1191.Â
FAMOUS GUESTS
Hosting its first guests in 1931, the stone-built mountain hotel was once one of the most luxurious hotels in Cyprus. In its heyday, it would go on to host several famous guests. Its fine rooms and grand halls also hosted royalty. King Farouk of Egypt was a regular visitor, and the hotel also hosted Winston Churchill.Â
CYPRUS GHOSTHUNTERS
Several myths have surrounded the hotel since its untimely closure in 1984. The hotel’s macabre history has led to several ghost stories emerging. This has made the hotel an unofficial tourist attraction. The hotel has also become a favourable site for ghosthunters and people seeking a supernatural adrenaline rush.Â
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOST STORIES?
Situated at an altitude of 1,400 metres, several visitors every week are estimated to visit the site. Some of these people have stated that they have seen things that can only be described as supernatural experiences. Several others have also come forward, stating that they have felt a presence, whilst others have claimed that they have seen apparitions roaming the hotel’s grounds.
MEET THE GHOSTS
The former hotel manager, who is said to have killed himself in one of the hotel’s rooms, is said to still wander the empty halls of the hotel. Another regular sighting is that of a merchant’s wife. She was supposedly found floating facedown in the hotel’s swimming pool, and now seeks revenge for her untimely demise. Another is a fair maiden, dressed in white linen. She is said to be visible, but only at dusk. She has regularly been seen leaning against one of the hotel windows. Another unconfirmed story, that further adds to the hotel’s intrigue, is the eventual demise of the owners of the hotel.Â
CLOSED IN 1984
The hotel, which was otherwise a successful endeavour, faced financial trouble in the early 1980’s. The original hotel owner had left the business to his three sons. It is believed that their conflicts and disagreements led to the hotel’s eventual bankruptcy and untimely closure in 1984. All three sons are said to have died in strange and mysterious circumstances. This has since added fuel to several supernatural conspiracy theories.Â
A DEMANDING PROJECT
Several experts have suggested that the Berengaria Hotel should be considered one of the most demanding and risky redevelopment projects on the island. It is feared that there are several hidden costs for any potential renovation project. This has scuppered several attempts to sell and then redevelop the site.Â
A CHANGE OF FORTUNES
Interest in the site, however, has recently been rekindled. A bid to purchase the site, by a Limassol-based property group, has recently been accepted. The welcome sale comes after many unsuccessful attempts by various stakeholders to offload the property over the years. Recent statements, released by the new owners, indicate that they intend to revive the hotel’s past glories. They have also stated that they intend to breathe new life into the grand old lady, whilst protecting her unique identity.Â
SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WORKS
The complete area of the site spans a total of 26,520 square metres. The hotel itself covers 4,980 square metres. The new owners intend to develop some of the land surrounding the hotel with several luxury villas. They also intend to install auxiliary buildings that will help facilitate the hotel’s complete operation. They intend to do this without distorting the character of the main building or the surrounding area. The new development will also include some new infrastructure works. These works will aim to make the site as environmentally friendly and self-sufficient as possible. One such work will include a wastewater treatment facility that will help conserve and recycle water.
THANOS HOTELS
The renovation of the Berengaria Hotel is already well underway and is due to be ready during late spring 2026. In the meantime, the Thanos Hotels group is providing consultancy services for the building and design project. They are currently advising architects and designers on several features of the hotel. These include amenities and technical requirements for the new hotel. They will then be managing the day-to-day operations of it once it reopens. The hotel will have at least 30 rooms and suites and a state-of-the-art spa.
