Berengaria
the "Hotel of Kings"

the story of Richard the Lionheart & Berengaria

The vibrant history of the Berengaria dates back to Richard the Lionheart, crowned King of England in 1189. It is said that within minutes of his coronation, he announced his ambition to recapture Jerusalem which had been taken by Salah ad-Din.

Richard I and his friend, the King of France Filipp II (Augustus), set out to help the Holy Land.
The women were taken prisoner by the island’s ruler, Isaac Komnenos, in an attempt to manipulate Richard. The King swiftly came to the aid of his fiancée and sister, and within just 25 days, Richard had successfully conquered this blossoming island in the heart of the Mediterranean.
In April 1191, King Richard’s fleet, consisting of 150 large ships and fifty galleys, departed from Sicily and sailed toward Syria.

One of the ships was carrying precious passengers — King Richard’s sister Joan and his new fiancée, Berengaria of Navarre. During the journey, the ship was caught in a storm and ended up on the coast of Cyprus.
On the 12th May 1191, Richard married Berengaria of Navarre in the Chapel of St George in Limassol.

Legend has it that Richard and Berengaria visited Troodos after their wedding. Inspired by this legend, the hotel’s founder, Ioannis Kokkalos, named the hotel in honour of the Queen of England, and the establishment went down in history as the "Hotel of Kings".

an ambitious early 20th-century architectural project

Greek Cypriot Ioannis G. Ioannidis Kokkalos was the founder and first owner of Berengaria Hotel. Born in Prodromos, he spent many hours walking in the area’s hills as a child, where the renowned hotel would later be built.
The name of the area on which the hotel was built was called Trimithidhi because of the large number of Turpentine trees, which Cypriots call Trimithi, growing in the area.
Kokkalos commissioned the design of the Berengaria to an architect with whom he was acquainted, Walter Henry Clark and the creation of the architectural plan for the Berengaria Hotel began in 1927.
The idea of creating a grandiose hotel appeared to him in childhood, and he worked hard to realise his dream.
Ioannis G.
Ioannidis Kokkalos
Turpentine trees, Prodromos

a landmark is born

Berengaria hotel breathed new life into Prodromos village and transformed the area into a renowned and beloved destination, swiftly gaining immense popularity with the aristocracy in Cyprus and beyond.
The second Grand Ball soon followed on August 15th and guests enjoyed a performance by a dazzling orchestra and a buffet feast of a thousand delicious dishes.
Just a month and a half after opening its doors, the first Grand Ball was held on the grounds on Saturday, July 25th, 1931.
As the years went by, other notable events attracted crowds from near and far, including the ‘Miss Berengaria' beauty content on August 25th, 1962. In 1961 Berengaria hosted the ‘Exhibition of Cypriot Goods' which ran for several years and showcased traditional local products.
Perched at the highest point of Prodromos village, the rural retreat became a cultural and social landmark, perfectly positioned in a breathtaking setting renowned as a place of rest and entertainment for high society.
Fireplace in the hotel playroom
Hotel guests at the fountain area
Card postal featuring Berengaria hotel, 1931-1984

the decline of the Berengaria

The Second World War had a serious impact on international tourism, and every country, including Cyprus, tightened its border controls. Amidst this challenging environment, the Cyprus Hotel Association was established in 1941, dedicated to developing and promoting tourism islandwide. Five years after its foundation, in 1946, Ioannis G. Ioannides Kokkalos was elected to the Board of Directors, where he served for three years (1946−1949).

Kokkalos passionately managed the Berengaria until old age, with the business taken over by his three sons in 1960.
However, the Turkish invasion of 20 July 1974 was disastrous for tourism in Cyprus, and although the tourism sector recovered by the end of the 1970s, the focus shifted away from mountain tourism with attention placed on beachside resorts, package deals and spa retreats. In 1984, the Berengaria closed its doors, with Anastasis Kokkalos (Tasos) remembered as its last director.
Despite the official hotel closure, the Berengaria became a place of pilgrimage and a key attraction for countless tourists and islanders lured by the building’s stately architecture and fascinating history.
The once proud Berengaria hotel will soon relive its past glories with an extensive renovation by bbf: now underway.

Reviving the grandeur of what was once the island’s most luxurious hotel, the 'Jewel of Cyprus' is being restored to its former glory, breathing new life into this iconic property.

the start of a new era

A beautiful natural landscape will surround visitors at the newly renovated boutique hotel, which will offer 5-star hotel amenities including a fine restaurant and bar, luxury spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and extensive outdoor exercise and relaxation areas.
Inspired by the area’s natural beauty, the renovation honours both the rich history and surrounding ecosystem, creating a tranquil retreat designed to world-class standards.

A modern exclusive residential development in the captivating mountainous surroundings will also pave the way for a new way of living immersed in the beauty of nature.

Berengaria’s famous guests

Known for his luxurious tastes, King Farouk owned collections of rare stamps, coins, jewelry, and cars. His wardrobe boasted a thousand tailor-made suits.
King Farouk I of Egypt & Sudan
Weizman was a pilot in World War II and Israel’s War of Independence. Weizman enjoyed a luxurious stay at Berengaria before his presidency between 1993 and 2000.
Ezer Weizman, Israeli president, 1993−2000
Makarios III was one of the leaders of Cyprus’s national liberation struggle. He was first elected president of the Cyprus Republic in 1959 and was then elected president for a second term in 1968 with an outstanding 95.45% of the population’s votes. Makarios III was well acquainted with the Berengaria and visited the hotel frequently during his presidency.
Archbishop Makarios III, President of Cyprus, 1959−1977
Papadopoulos was elected President of the Republic of Cyprus on February 28, 2003.

On April 16 of the same year, he signed the treaty on the accession of Cyprus to the European Union in Athens. He was invited to lunch at the Berengaria in 1971 and witnesses say he spent time at the hotel bar and enjoyed drinks and salted nuts.
Tassos Papadopoulos, President of Cyprus, 2003−2008
The princess was a prominent Cypriot philanthropist and socialite, known for her charitable work. Princess Zena always admired Prodromos village, and in 1960 she built a majestic house not far from the Berengaria with verandas and a swimming pool, where she welcomed honoured guests.
Princess Zena Kanther de Tyras
During his visit to Cyprus in 1907, Churchill emphasised the development of transport infrastructure and communications, and the need for reforestation. He largely shaped Britain’s policy towards Cyprus for years to come, including the post-war period and preparations for the establishment of an independent Cyprus state.
Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1940−1945 and 1951−1955
After Angela’s birth in Cyprus, her family moved to London but repeatedly returned to the island for long periods. Angela has always called herself a "Cypriot by heart and spirit", recalling her childhood and young years in Cyprus. "I do not have a Cypriot passport or Cypriot nationality, but in my heart, I am a true Cypriot," she says. Angela visited the Berengaria in her youth and recalls wanting to spend time with other children in Troodos and enjoying the feeling of freedom.
Angela Bowie, Cypriot-American model, actress and musician

secrets & legends

At the end of the path leading to the hotel, two pine trees resemble human figures in a passionate embrace. One legend claims the trees grew from the blood of a couple murdered at the hotel, while another suggests they sprouted from the lovers' graves.
According to legend, the brothers failed to fulfill the promise, leading to quarrels and mysterious deaths: the eldest drowned in the pool, the middle one hanged himself in the lobby, and the youngest shot himself by the fireplace. It is believed that the spirits of their father and his beloved Berengaria took revenge on the brothers.
The original owner of the Berengaria, Ioannis Kokkalos, reportedly divided his fortune among his three sons before his death and entrusted the business to them.
Locals claim that the brother’s spirits still haunt the hotel and their quarrels are sometimes heard.
Photographs taken at Berengaria sometimes show round luminous objects, interpreted by some as spirits of the dead or UFOs.

In reality, the objects, known as orbs or plasmoids, are thought to be reflections of light from surrounding surfaces or dust in the air.
Entwined in love
A glowing mystery
An unfortunate curs
This intriguing legend, however, has little to do with reality, as the Kokkalos brothers successfully managed the hotel, renovating it and surviving some of the most challenging years in Berengaria’s history.
Ioannis & Kokkos Kokkalos