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The highest hotel in Cyprus

The highest hotel in Cyprus

‘No foreign investor has poured in millions; no distant CEO is steering its direction. Instead, this beloved hotel has passed from generation to generation…’

This is the highest hotel in Cyprus, 1,757 metres above sea level. It’s almost the oldest, and has been around for close on 100 years. And it’s definitely among the best-loved – most of us know it; many of us will have stayed there at some point in our lives.

Tucked away under the very peak of Mount Olympus, surrounded by mountain forest, The Jubilee Hotel is one of our island’s most iconic retreats. It’s a place that evokes strong memories: summers spent at the hotel’s kids’ camps; cosy winter getaways. Perhaps you were an avid skier stopping in for hot chocolate after a day on the piste. Or maybe it was just the serenity of the hills that drew you, your friends and your family to this quiet hideaway.

For 89 years, The Jubilee Hotel been serving mountain-goers. Opened in 1935 (the year of George V’s Silver Jubilee – hence the name), it began as a glampsite – a little kitchen and a few canvas tents frequented by colonial civil servants escaping the heat of the plains.

By the 1960s the main hotel – in keeping with the colonial style of the times – was erected, and taking in guests. In 1974, it became a sanctuary for those escaping the invading forces (one of the refugees, Mrs Koulla, is still there and now heads the serving staff). And in 1987 it launched its well-known summer camps – teaching teens from across the island the joys of nature.

Yet, through the decades, The Jubilee has always remained firmly in the hands of one family. No foreign investor has poured in millions; no distant CEO is steering its direction. Instead, this beloved hotel has been passed down from generation to generation…

“The Jubilee has been in the Markidis family since it very first came into existence,” explains Nicholas Tryfon. “It was founded by Kyriacos and Leonidas Markidis – brothers from the village of Gerolakkos who had started the KEM transport company. The hotel was a natural progression – if you have a fleet of Bedfords, you have passengers. And passengers need a place to rest…”

Ongoing renovation

Nicholas, although not one of the family, is close to current owners Sophocles Markidis (Kyriacos’ son) and his wife Diana, as well as their son Io, who oversees the hotel. As an architect and project manager, he’s worked with them several times in decades past. And so, when the couple determined that The Jubilee needed a renovation, he was a natural fit…

“The Jubilee is an island legacy,” Nicholas explains. “It’s more than just a hotel – this is the place where generations have come to make memories, escape the summer heat, rediscover nature. Every corner holds a story, every room a memory, every view a connection to the past.

“However, as with anything cherished and well-loved, time does leave its mark,” he continues. “And while the hotel’s character is unmistakable, a gentle refresh was needed to ensure future generations could enjoy it just as much as those who came before.”

Commissioned to oversee the rejuvenation of The Jubilee, Nicholas is charged with blending modern comforts into the hotel’s timeless charm: preserving its storied past while incorporating the contemporary elements that make it a haven for present guests.

It’s not an easy project, especially given the hotel’s iconic status. But Nicholas is handling the rejuvenation with all the grace and skill of someone who has, himself, visited many times…

Old photo of the site of the Jubilee

“I remember the first time I came to The Jubilee,” he smiles. “I was 15, and attending the first ever summer camp. I had my first slow dance there, won my first ping pong tournament. It was freedom and fun and the magic of the mountains!”

Over the years, Nicholas has returned to The Jubilee many times. “There’s something about the heights of Troodos,” he muses. “For years, it’s all been about the coast, about beach life. But slowly, surely, we’re remembering the magic of the mountains – the cool air, the quiet solitude, our connection to nature. Places like The Jubilee remind us that there’s a whole other side to Cyprus; that the hills are the true heart of our island.”

Working with a small EU grant, Nicholas and team – most of whom are local to the area; he mentions Simos the builder from Kyperounta, and Andreas the electrician from Spilia – will be completing the renovations in two stages. The first, which included renovating bedrooms, painting the walls, and upgrading the reception and living room, concluded on December 1 when the hotel opened for winter guests. And the second – which takes in lighting, additional rooms, and kitchen – will take place during autumn 2025.

“It’s a delicate balance of heritage and modernity, past and present,” Nicholas explains. “We’re not trying to turn The Jubilee into a luxury resort – instead, this renovation is about enhancing the experience without losing character.”

Before the renovations

Every detail from furniture to flooring, colours to textures has been carefully chosen. Warm creams, soft greens and silver blues echo the surrounding landscape – the clear light, rich minerals and the smoky pines. Cool slate and warm oak run throughout; family antiques (including beautifully crafted storage chests owned by Sophocles’ grandmother) dot the interior.

“We even have a number of original paintings by Glynn Hughes,” Nicholas reveals. “They’re currently being restored, and will be hung once more on the walls.”

Yet for all the added modern comforts (bedside charging stations, electrical upgrades, purpose-built wet rooms and storage spaces) Nicholas and the Markidis family remain committed to keeping the hotel’s soul intact. And maintaining its original purpose: warmth, rest and comfort for all who journey to Troodos.

“These mountains have always been a refuge,” Nicholas concludes, his gaze resting on the pine-covered peaks. “And this hotel has always been a place of peace and rest – a place where you could read a book, play a board game, fall into quiet conversation by the fire.

“That’s exactly what The Jubilee has always stood for: quiet moments, a sense of belonging, and a connection to Cyprus’ nature. And it’s exactly what it will be for the generations to come: a true retreat for those who seek the peace of the mountains.”

For more information on the renovation of The Jubilee, visit jubileehotel.com

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