The Woman Behind St Raphael Resort & Marina in Limassol: A Leader I’ve Admired Since Childhood

I want to tell you about a woman I’ve admired since I was a child. She is the heart and soul of St Raphael Resort & Marina in Limassol—one of the very few female-led hotels in the city—and she has shaped not just the legacy of the hotel, but also the way people remember their time there. Her name is Farah Shammas, and she is every bit as remarkable in person as the stories about her suggest.

I grew up visiting St Raphael Resort & Marina with my family, and from my earliest memories, I remember hearing people talk about her. Guests, employees, even long-time family friends—they all spoke of Farah with the same admiration and warmth. It wasn’t the kind of polite praise people often give business owners; it was genuine, heartfelt. As I got older, I had the chance to meet her myself—and she truly is just like that. Kind, graceful, and so authentically lovable that you understand instantly why everyone speaks so highly of her.

The hotel reflects her spirit perfectly. It carries a classic, elegant character, deeply rooted in its heritage and legacy, yet it never feels old-fashioned. It’s timeless, the kind of place where history and heart coexist. On my most recent visit, I spent time in the gym, which flows seamlessly into a pool surrounded by a greenhouse-like atmosphere. The greenhouse, the soft light, the garden-like feeling—it transformed an ordinary workout into something calming and restorative. Even here, you can sense her influence: everything is intentional, balanced, and beautiful.

But what inspires me most is how her leadership shines through her team. The staff don’t just do their jobs; they welcome you with pride and warmth, as if they’re part of something bigger. And they are—because Farah leads not with authority, but with love and respect. That rare quality is what makes people stay, both as employees and as returning guests.

For me, Farah embodies what it means to be a woman in business. She has carried forward a family legacy not by being the loudest in the room, but by being consistent, authentic, and full of heart. She proves that true leadership is not only about strategy—it’s about character.

Every time I return to St Raphael Resort & Marina, I carry her example with me. She is a living reminder that women can lead with both strength and softness, and leave behind a legacy that touches everyone who passes through.