This is not your typical beach trip. You usually skip breakfast to claim your spot on the sand. Lunch is whatever can be delivered to the pool. Cocktails are frozen and fruity. Only dinner can be called a proper meal. That’s because it’s been dark for hours when you finally go to eat. This is the first time that the sun has had to compete with food.

The competition is on the south coast of Cyprus. It’s being held east of Limassol, the Mediterranean island’s second-largest city. It’s in Agios Tychonas, a beach town known for its impressive ancient ruins. It overlooks Akrotiri Bay, which is famous for its warm blue water. While it’s at AMARA, a new resort that just opened last spring.

AMARA is a stunning resort. From the distance, the building looks like a marble palace. A modern marble palace. Natural colors, massive windows, and lots of sunlight fill the lobby. The Lobby Bar, which smells like freshly brewed coffee, is here, too. The Amara Spa features a thermal circuit, a nail bar, and a juice bar. It has indoor and outdoor pools, as well. All of the rooms have ocean views. You upgrade to a seafront deluxe bedroom with a private pool. A tech pad controls everything from the curtains to the lighting to the thermometer. The mosaic-lined pool and the sandy beach are just steps away.

Those aren’t the reasons you chose AMARA, though. You’re here for the gourmet restaurants. There are four of them. They’re helmed by celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. They’re gorgeous spaces with sleek decor and stunning views. Plus they serve gourmet food that’s created around fresh, local produce.

Nobu Matsuhisa’s Matsuhisa Limassol brings Japanese-Peruvian cuisine to Cyprus. The tasting menu allows you to try lots of seafood dishes, including miso black cod, the chef’s signature dish. Giorgio Locatelli temps you with homemade pasta and fine Italian wines at Ristorante Locatelli. Save room for the deconstructed tiramisu at the end of your meal. George Papaioannou created an open-air taverna at Armyra by Papaioannou. You’ll dream of his prawn souvlaki long after your trip ends. There’s also the Dining Room, a casual spot where you can try classic Cypriot dishes. You never expected food to pair so well with the sun.