There are destinations that impress you from the first moment. And there are those that change you without you even realising it. Minthis belongs to the second category.
Arriving there, you unconsciously carry the familiar rhythm of everyday life, the phones, the emails, the constant obligations and the stress that accompanies every journalistic assignment. A few hours later, however, as you leave the landscape of Paphos behind you, you realise that something has changed. Not because you stayed longer, but because the place itself made you slow down. And then you realise that, many times, in order to achieve more, you first need to slow down.
This is precisely the philosophy that Minthis Resort General Manager, Stelios Filippides, serves. In his interview in the July edition of Cyprus Hotel Association PASYXE's monthly newsletter 'Xenodochos' (Hotelier), he explains why he believes that the greatest luxury today is not impressive facilities, but the ability to offer time, tranquility and the feeling that the visitor is exactly where he wants to be.
He also talks about hospitality as a deeply human experience, about creating relationships that last well beyond the end of a stay, and also about the need for modern destinations to offer a way of life and not just a beautiful room.
At the same time, Filippides highlights the role that Minthis plays in the broader development of Paphos, through collaboration with local producers, winemakers, creators and businesses, the promotion of the cultural and natural heritage of the region, as well as initiatives such as the Minthis Wine Festival and the Minthis Music Festival, which enhance the cultural character of the destination and create added value for both the local community and Cypriot tourism as a whole.
What is your daily life like at Minthis and what moment of your work gives you the greatest personal satisfaction?
The truth is that no two days are the same at Minthis and that is perhaps the most beautiful aspect of my job. Since taking on the position of General Manager in November 2021, I have been fortunate to be part of an organisation that is constantly evolving. Minthis is a vibrant destination where hospitality, wellness, gastronomy, golf, residential development, nature and, above all, people coexist.
What fills me most is not a successful day in business terms. It's the little moments that are difficult to capture in a performance indicator. When I see a visitor arrive tired from their daily routine and, a few days later, have completely changed their pace, walking without rushing, enjoying the view and chatting with our team as if they've known each other for years. That's when I realise we've achieved something substantial.
Equally important to me is the Minthis team. Hospitality is not about procedures or protocols. They are people who truly care about the person they are serving. When I see this philosophy expressed authentically, I feel particularly proud.
I believe that today the greatest luxury is being able to offer the visitor time, peace and the feeling that they are exactly where they want to be. This is what we strive to achieve every day at Minthis.
Minthis stands out for its philosophy beyond its facilities. How would you describe the relationship it builds with visitors, partners and the local community?
I believe that a destination gains its true identity not from its buildings, but from the relationships it creates. This is the philosophy that characterises Minthis.
From the very beginning, our goal was not to simply create a luxury resort. Pafilia's vision was much broader, to create a lifestyle destination that connects modern hospitality with nature, wellness, culture, gastronomy and quality of life. A destination that has a reason for existence both for the visitor and for the person who chooses to live or spend a significant part of their life here.
Our relationship with our guests is not limited to the duration of a stay. We want Minthis to be a destination where people choose to return again and again, whether for a short getaway, a dinner with friends, a wellness experience at the spa, a day on the golf course or one of the events we host. For many, this relationship evolves even further, as they choose to own their own home here. That, I believe, is the highest compliment a destination can receive.
The same goes for our partners. We seek relationships based on trust, professionalism and shared values. Not so much opportunistic partnerships, but ones that evolve with us over time.
At the same time, I consider our connection with the local community to be extremely important. Paphos is not just the setting for Minthis. It is part of its identity. We collaborate with local producers, winemakers, creators and businesses, we support initiatives that promote culture, environmental awareness and sustainable development, while we attach particular importance to highlighting the natural and cultural heritage of the region, through actions and collaborations, such as those developed around the Episkopi Environmental Information Center.
I don't believe there can be authentic hospitality without an authentic connection to the place that hosts you. And this is a principle we strive to serve every day.
Minthis combines hotel development and the residential experience. How does this philosophy translate into practice and what sets you apart?
What makes Minthis different is that it was never designed as a hotel with residences added, or conversely, as a residential development with hospitality services. It was designed from the beginning as a complete lifestyle destination.
Resort guests and homeowners share the same philosophy, the same spaces, and the same experiences. They will meet at the Clubhouse, Amaracus, the spa, the nature trails, the golf course, or at an event, such as the Minthis Wine Festival. This daily coexistence creates a sense of community that is difficult to artificially design.
I believe this is the future of luxury hospitality. People are looking for more than just a beautiful room or a stunning villa, they are looking for a way of life, an environment where they feel they belong and want to return to.
At Minthis, we have the privilege of offering this continuity. Someone can come as a guest, return with their family, acquire a residence and ultimately become part of a community that shares common values, respect for nature, quality, well-being, discreet luxury and hospitality.
For me, this is the biggest difference of Minthis. In addition to an excellent stay, it offers a lifestyle that continues long after the vacation is over.
Today, hospitality is increasingly judged by experience. How do you design this experience for each guest at Minthis?
I believe that the concept of luxury has changed profoundly in recent years. Guests still value high quality, but what they are looking for more is how they will feel during their stay. They want to disconnect from the intensity of everyday life, connect with nature, take time for themselves and experience something truly meaningful.
This influences every decision we make at Minthis. We design moments. From the way a guest is welcomed to the atmosphere of a dinner, the route through the natural landscape, a spa treatment or even the time they spend enjoying the view from their terrace, they are all part of the same experience.
Our philosophy is based on the belief that discreet luxury does not need to be shown off. It is expressed through authenticity, attention to detail and the sense of calm that a place leaves in the visitor.
If, at the end of their stay, someone leaves feeling that they have managed to disconnect from everyday life, calm down and experience the destination at the ideal pace, then I consider that we have achieved our goal.
A resort gains greater value when it is intrinsically connected to the place it is developed in. In what ways does Minthis strengthen this relationship with Paphos and the local community?
I believe that you cannot create an authentic destination without an authentic connection to the place that hosts it. For us, Paphos is not just where Minthis is located. It is an integral part of its identity.
In our daily operations, this is expressed in many ways. We collaborate with local producers, wineries, artisans and businesses, we support the local economy and we highlight the products and flavours of the region through the gastronomic experience we offer. At the same time, a large part of our team comes from Paphos and the surrounding communities, creating an authentic connection to the place.
We also place particular importance on our relationship with the environment. Sustainability for us is a daily attitude that is reflected in the way we operate and in the partnerships we develop, such as the one with the Episkopi Environmental Information Center. We approach the natural environment of Paphos with respect, recognising that it is an integral part of the experience that Minthis offers.
The wider area is part of the Natura 2000 network, which underlines the importance of the natural environment and further strengthens our ongoing approach to responsible and sustainable development.
Today, when travellers arrive in a place, they want to understand it, get to know its people, hear their stories, taste its flavors and feel, even for a few days, that they are a part of it. This is exactly the connection we seek to create at Minthis.
Which markets are currently showing the greatest interest in Minthis and what are modern travelers looking for when choosing a destination?
Minthis attracts visitors from a wide range of international markets, with a significant presence from the UK, Central European countries, the Nordic countries, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and other European markets. While each market has its own specificities, we find that everyone is now looking for something in common, authenticity and meaningful experiences.
Travellers today are less interested in “seeing” a destination and more in experiencing it. They want to meet a local winemaker, hear the story behind a traditional product, visit a small village, walk in nature, and try recipes passed down from generation to generation. These are the experiences they ultimately remember and share when they return home.
Gastronomy is one of the most important ways to get to know a place. That's why at Minthis we strive for every experience, from breakfast to dinner, from a wine tasting to a visit to a local winery, to tell the story of that place.
I believe this is the future of hospitality, offering guests not just pretty images, but experiences with substance that create a real connection with the destination.
Cypriot gastronomy and wine are gaining increasing recognition. How is Minthis capitalising on this momentum?
Clearly. In recent years we have seen an increasing interest in local gastronomy and especially in the Cypriot vineyard, which has evolved significantly and is beginning to gain the position it deserves internationally.
At Minthis, we place particular emphasis on highlighting local products and collaborate with local producers, integrating Cypriot gastronomic tradition into a modern and thoughtful experience that reflects the character of the resort.
Through wine pairings, tastings and selected experiences, we give visitors the opportunity to experience the richness of Cypriot wine culture in a more direct and experiential way.
A special place in this philosophy is also occupied by the Minthis Wine Festival, which was held for the first time in 2026 and was a significant moment for the resort and the wider region. Its aim is to highlight the wealth of Cypriot winemaking, to bring to the fore the people behind Cypriot wine and to create a platform that will connect visitors, producers and wine lovers through authentic experiences. We are already working to develop it even further and establish it as an institution in the coming years.
In addition to gastronomy, Minthis also invests dynamically in culture. What does the development of the Minthis Music Festival mean to you?
The Minthis Music Festival is a natural extension of our philosophy. We believe that a modern destination should offer not only high-level hospitality, but also experiences that inspire, cultivate and create memories.
What began in 2024 as a more intimate musical experience evolved in 2025 into a cultural institution and this year returns even more comprehensively, hosting internationally acclaimed artists and emerging talents in a unique natural environment.
For us, it is an experience that expresses the Minthis way of life, where nature, hospitality, art and culture coexist harmoniously. We believe that culture has the power to bring people closer and add even greater value to each visitor's experience.
From classical and contemporary music to jazz and high-art repertoire, each evening was shaped, during this year's event, as a different experience under the summer sky of the Minthis Amphitheatre.
I should note that the festival was presented by Pafilia, the company behind the award-winning Minthis resort, with creative direction from LaimTee Art, which curates the artistic identity of the festival.
Is there a moment with a guest that stands out in your memory and captures what Minthis really means ?
There are many moments that I remember, but one that particularly touched me was when a visitor told us upon his departure: "We came for a vacation and we are leaving feeling like we have acquired a second home."
These moments are, for me, the essence of our work.
It's not just about the quality of the accommodation or the services. It's about whether you manage to create a sense of connection with the place, the people, and the way of life that one experiences here.
If a visitor leaves with this sense of familiarity and a desire to return, then I consider that we have achieved our true goal.
If you look at the next decade, how do you imagine the evolution of luxury hospitality and what place can Cyprus have in this new era?
Luxury is evolving towards a more personal and personalized experience. Guests are looking for destinations that offer them tranquility, authenticity, well-being and a way to disconnect from the fast pace of everyday life.
At the same time, technology will continue to improve the experience, but I believe that the human factor will remain the key differentiator for every resort.
Cyprus has all the characteristics to star in modern luxury hospitality, natural environment, excellent climate, rich culture and unique gastronomy.
The goal is to continue investing in experiences with substance and duration, experiences that not only impress in the moment, but remain in the visitor's memory and create a real connection with the place.
