Roadster

My husband and I are trying to decide where to stay for our 3 or 4 nights on Mykonos in May. It is our first trip to Greece and Mykonos and at first I thought we should stay a short walk from Mykonos Town, but now found a nice place that is near Kalafatis Beach. We want to do some sightseeing, walking, and lounging by pool or beach during the day. We are not the type to be partying all night in bars, but want proximity to a town so we could walk to restaurants, etc. Our idea of a nice evening is relaxing on a deck with cocktails at sunset, then walking to dinner. Maybe one night of bar hopping or dancing. Where would be the best place to stay on Mykonos? Thanks!

billbarr

Hi Roadster

Kalafatis is a beautiful but remote beach, almost 10km from Mykonos town and close to 30 minutes travel time.

Looking at your criteria I suggest hotels that sit at Megali Ammos beach, which is only a 10 minute gentle stroll to the restaurant and bars of the town. Also, the views from hotels in this area are great. Megali Ammos is a quiet beach, separated from the hotels by the Ornos road which, these days, is much, much quieter than in previous years.

These hotels will allow you to relax on your deck then stroll to dinner in town. I have no idea of your lodging budget therefore have included places with a mix of grading:

http://www.grandbeachmykonos.com/

http://www.mykonosbay-hotel.com/

http://www.bill-coo-hotel.com/

http://www.hotelpetinaros.com/

On the other side of town is the Tagoo area where you will find hotels that also fit much of your criteria. However, the walk to town is along a busier and sometimes not so well lit road which can be a bit perilous after dark. If you are interested in some hotels for that area let me know.

Bill

Heimdall

Hi Roadster,

Bill has been going to Mykonos for decades, and knows the island like no one else on this board. He helped me find a nice area in which to stay when I was last on Mykonos.

clausar

Speaking of Kalafatis though, there is an excellent new hotel, where i stayed twice, La Residence.
I would absolutely recommend it !!! ( in combination with a car....)

http://www.laresidencemykonos.com/

Roadster

La Residence is the hotel we were considering. Thanks for the input. Knowing we would need a car at that place is helpful. Since our time is limited and we plan on doing a Delos day trip, I am thinking we may want to stay closer to the harbor. Is anyone you familiar with Vencia Boutique Hotel outside of Mykonos Town? It gets good reviews from Tripadvisor.

Roadster

Thanks for the hotel tips, Bill.

billbarr

Roadster

The busiest and noisiest road in Mykonos town, Ag Ioannou, wraps itself around the Vencia on its way to Ornos. Also, its views at least from the public areas will be stunning because it sits high above the town. Many mention the walk down into town is only a few minutes. Yes, to the outskirts, but it takes a further ten minutes to get down to the harbour front. If all that is Ok with you then I’d go for it. Its reviews are consistently very, very good.

Here are some other town hotels to check out:

The Harmony sits above the old port and is only a 2 minute walk from same:

http://www.harmonyhotel.gr/

the Theoxenia is beside windmills in a very quiet area. It’s a 2 minute walk to Little Venice and the town itself. Always considered ‘quirky’ it’s a favourite of many and is known on the island for its high percentage of return visitors:

http://www.mykonostheoxenia.com/

The Leto is the longest established hotel in town and its location cannot be beaten:

http://letohotel.com/

As always, I recommend that anyone looking to book a town hotel specifically request a sea or town view room. Believe me, many have rooms that don’t meet that criteria. Also, check out the indvidual hotel reviews on booking.com or trip advisor. I trust the former over the latter.

Don, you are very welcome and you have given me much information about other islands and destinations that has been so helpful.

Clausar, last year my nephew drove me to Kalafatis because it is an area that I have so enjoyed over the years and we visited La Residence. Although we only spent time in the public areas, it all looked outstanding.

clausar

Leto has an unbeatable location, everything can be reached on foot, but the hotel is a moderate 4 stars hotel, but totally overpriced due to the location.

After visiting Mykonos several times each year, for the last 25 years... i would recommend the Tagoo area, with Cavo Tagoo being the best hotel there, and among the 1-2 top hotels of Mykonos.

billbarr

Cavo Tagoo is a good hotel but as mentioned in my first post, the road to and from town especially at night needs careful consideration if walking is preferred. You will be aware of that but a first-time visitor will not.

bill

jon_rwr

I’ve been a guest at Cavo Tagoo. It’s an OK hotel but living on past glories. There are much better hotels on the island these days. It is close to town but not in it. We stopped using the hotel because the noise from the road in front drove us crazy when at the pool.

I’d have suggested the Belvedere whose rates are actually higher than Cavo’s but although in town it is not close to the harbor area which Roadster has requested. Heard good things about the Theoxina though but unable to recommend as never lodged there.

Jon

Roadster

Thanks so much for your replies. I will be checking on those hotel suggestions. I have had computer problems all day, so I am behind on my research! That was my debate-Higher up for views or being on the beach. We don't mind the walking. I might have mentioned we will need to burn the calories we will be consuming on holiday! This was one island we did not feel the need to rent a car. Our main criteria was a nice clean place with a view and within a reasonable walking distance to some decent restaurants. Vencia had good reviews of both the hotel and restaurant and also seemed reasonably priced. (We are trying to stay under $150 US per night where possible). I had not even thought about staying on the beach in Mykonos, until it was mentioned in this forum. I am now thinking of that as an option. More food for thought. We will be staying on a beach in Naxos. I live on a beach, so it's OK to stay off the beach, but we absolutely must have a fabulous water view! Thanks again to all!

billbarr

Good morning Roadster

The Belvedere, Cavo Tagoo, Harmony and Theoxenia do not have any rooms within your lodging budget of 115 euro per night any time during May. Although I do not know your exact travel dates to Mykonos but using the random dates of 16th to 19th of that month the Grand Beach (which I mentioned earlier) is offering either a Deluxe Room or Junior Suite for 105 and 115 euro per night.

This hotel will give you those stunning room views, a beach and is a 10 minute stroll into town. This particular road is fine to walk after dark, is well lit and has much, much less traffic these days.

A town hotel with rooms offering terrific sea views and within your budget is the Rochari. The district it is located in is quiet yet it is only a 7 minute stroll down to the harbour front. It is a favourite of many and another with a high return guest rate. Popular with gay guys and girls in June, July, August and September, more of a Greek/family mix in May and October.

Its address is: http://www.rochari.com

As always, when you've chosen your hotel specifically request a room with a sea view.

Roadster

Hi Bill,
The Rochari is now called the Panthea Residence. Looks nice and reasonable. This will definitely be on my list. Thanks for the tip! There are so many nice places it is hard to choose. I have been a lot of places and have always been happy with my choices. I don't want to spoil my record! It is so great to have all of the input from everyone!

billbarr

Hi Roadster

The Rochari still exists and it's website is the one I gave you above. The same family own the Panthea Residence but it is located at Agios Ioannis, about 10 minutes out of town using one of the local buses. Indeed they also own the Little Rochari Hotel which is also in town. It's at:

www.littlerochari.com

That also may be a good one for your list.

Bill

Roadster

Thank you for clarifying. When I clicked on the link it did not go directly to the website, but only to a photo. The photo only allowed me to click on the Panthea. Strange. I had to google them in order to get to the other websites.

Easylee

Hi Bill,

Thanks for all the great advice. Myself and my girlfriend were going to head to Kalafatis too but I think we'd like to maybe stay closer to Mykonos town as well. If we're looking to be away from things is it worth staying in Ornos or Agio Ioannis? Can you recommend any hotels around there, or is it just as quiet in Megali Ammos.

Thanks in advance!

billbarr

Hi Easylee

Without doubt Kalafatis is a beautiful beach and I enjoy the area too but it is a little bit remote from town. However, it remains many people’s favourite beach. Possibly much will depend on how long you will be on the island and if you could easily build in the extra travel time without it affecting your holiday it could still be good for you both.

If I wanted to be away from the buzz of town but still only 10 minutes by local bus I’d choose Ornos or Agios Ioannis. I have a soft spot for the latter as it was where I first stayed when I visited the island 50 years or so ago (in a small wooden shack next to an old stone cottage. No running water nor electricity).

The bus from town stops first at Ornos then it travels over the hill to Agios Ioannis. Ornos has a good family beach and is protected from much of the strong winds because the small bay is almost horse-shoe shaped. There are small shops, restaurants and bars all close to or on the beach.

Agios Ioannis is quieter still. Due to its island location it has possibly the best sunsets and the colour of the sea there is wonderful. The beach is narrow and certainly isn’t as sandy as Ornos but it remains popular, again with families. Just past the little Church of St John at Agios Ioannis is a tiny beach called Kapari which is a bit more remote and sometimes a bit more adult!

I tend now to visit in May and September when that bus service runs once every hour. I feel sure that in high season though it may be more frequent. Perhaps Heimdall or Clausar can advise.

Also don’t forget to check out Platis Gialos which has a very, very good beach plus lots of hotels and is favoured by many. It’s only about 15 minutes by bus from town which operates half-hourly.

Megali Ammos beach sits parallel to a road which, although not as busy as it was, it is still used.

Happy to give you some recommendations but could you let us know when you will be visiting and how much your budget for accommodation is per night?

bill

Easylee

Hi Bill,

Really great advice. Thanks again! We are visiting for 7 days from 20th May to 27th May. Our budget is about €100-€130 per night. Would appreciate some guidance for hotels in Agios Ioannis, it sounds really lovely. We've looked at a couple of hotels around there and we're struggling to decide.

Thanks,

Lee

billbarr

Hi Lee

Here are some suggestions. Don’t forget to also check some of the major booking sites for these hotels where you may get a lower rate. If staying at Agios Ioannis I cannot recommend enough to make sure you find a room with a sea view.

Manoula’s Beach Hotel

Used in the movie Shirley Valentine it’s a nice hotel and a sea view room there will have a terrific outlook over to Delos. Their website is unavailable this evening but details can be found here:

http://www.mykonos-accommodation.com...each-hotel.htm

(the rates for a sea view room quoted here are expensive – you’ll get them for a lot less and within your budget on some other booking sites)

Another hotel not often mentioned is the Apollonia. It is located down at the 17th century Church of St John at Agios Ioannis and the little harbour. Unlike some hotels it is owned by an island family. They are offering their standard sea view room at 120e for the period you will be there. Only one minute from the hotel entrance is where the little bus stops to collect passengers for town.

Details are here:

http://apollonia-resort.gr/mykonos/deluxe/hotel.htm

I was always a wee bit reluctant to recommend the Apsenti Hotel simply because it had a tendency to indicate it was very close to Agios Ioannis beach. I’ve just looked at their new site and the descriptions are now much more accurate. It is a couples-only hotel that sits high on the hill between Ornos and Agios Ioannis, therefore within walking distance to both. It is offering (partial) sea view rooms within your budget. Details are here:

http://www.apsenti.com/

Also, I mentioned the Panthea Residence earlier in this thread and, although self catering, its rates are great and it offers possibly the best views. It has a small pool and is only a 3 minute walk down to the beach. You could have breakfast at the small taverna about a minute’s walk away if you didn’t want to cook it yourself. The site is at:

http://www.panthea-residence.com/

It’s a personal thing of course but if I had to choose it would be either the Apollonia or the Panthea.

Let me know if you need any further information about the area.

Bill

Easylee

Hi Bill,

We were thinking of increasing our budget and going for Saint John, do you think we would get a seaview room there for €150? We were looking at Apsenti but some reviews said the rooms were very small. Might have another look at Apollonia.

Thanks again for your help.

Lee