Mykonos beach hotels for the quintessential Greek island experience

Even though the Myconian Imperial is a luxury resort, it’s got a lot of quirky design elements that make it feel like a boutique stay—like the white elephant, rhinoceros and owl statues everywhere. Indeed, most of the hotel’s interior spaces are white and airy, so you can better enjoy the incredible views over the ocean. There are also cute throw pillows with curly moustaches and ones with “I <3 Mykonos” on them.

One of the reasons we love this Mykonos beach hotel is because you can lounge on the private beach all day or swim in the three different swimming pools, one of which includes a swim-up bar. If you splurge on a suite you’ll also have a small private pool, and all guests are able to enjoy the use of the spa’s rejuvenating treatments.

The Myconian is located just a few steps from Elia Beach, one of the most stunning beaches on Mykonos, awarded a Blue Flag for its pristine beauty. There are a lot of fun water activities available if you don’t want to lounge around all day.

The resort even offers a free shuttle to and from Mykonos proper, so you can easily enjoy everything the town has to offer. If you don’t feel like venturing out then you don’t have to, as there are two different gourmet restaurants and a sushi bar at the resort. Each morning we enjoyed the views of the sea from Meltemi restaurant with a bountiful breakfast of eggs, coffee, pastries, fruit and meat platters. We had romantic dinners under the stars at Celebrities and cocktails beside the pool from the Nostos bar. Bliss!

For those on a tighter budget, you can still experience beachside luxury at Sunrise Agrari Beach. This family-run hotel looks out over the Aegean Sea from the beautiful and secluded Agrari Beach. As there’s no bus from Mykonos Chora to Agrari, this is a much quieter beach than many others on the island so it’s perfect for a romantic stay away from the crowds. You’re also a short walk from the popular Elia beach, as well as the nudist beach located in a little cove between the two if you want to go sunbathing au naturel!

The hotel features direct beach access, as well as having an outdoor saltwater pool. We liked laying by the pool because we could get drinks and snacks from the bar staff there, but the beach is also lovely. Book relaxing activities like yoga or a massage, as well as active pursuits like learning to water-ski or wake-board.

For us, the real highlight of our stay was the staff and how welcome they make you feel. Not to mention the home-cooked food in the restaurant! The mother and daughter team, Ionna and Catherina, serve up traditional Greek meals, like the wonderful spanakopita, homemade jams, cheeses and, of course, proper baklava for dessert.

The rooms are small but still beautiful, with private balconies overlooking the beach and sea. You’ll probably be spending most of your time on the beach or poolside anyway, but then you’ll drift away at night in the comfortable bed while you hear the waves gently breaking on the sand.

Psarou Beach is one of the most stunning beaches on Mykonos and popular with movie stars and other celebrities. You can get the celebrity treatment for yourself by staying at the incredible Mykonos Blu Grecotel resort.

Blu Grecotel is a huge complex with a selection of spacious suites, apartments, villas and bungalows. The rooms have extravagant bathrooms with built-in bathtubs made of polished stone, and some rooms boast private balconies and private pools.

One of our favourite things about the resort is the Elixir spa. Choose from a variety of massages, facial treatments, body scrubs, manicures and pedicures. On top of all that, there’s a sauna and you can even book massages or beauty treatments in the privacy of your room.

You’ll only be a few steps down from the hotel’s private beach area, and unlike many other resorts, you can use the beach chairs at no extra cost. There’s also a two-level infinity pool overlooking the ocean, so you’re pretty spoiled for choice. You can enjoy cocktails and light snacks, both on the beach or beside the pool, without even having to lift a finger.

There are three different dining options at Mykonos Blu, as well as three different lounges for sunset drinks. We loved the sky bar especially, and it’s the perfect place to begin your night before heading next door to the exciting Nammos beach club or other clubs in the chora.

With a name like Hotel Blanc, it makes sense that is this boutique hotel is fully decorated with minimalist white-on-white-on-white design. Contrasted with the sparkling turquoise waters, everything about this place is very soothing and dreamy.

This beach hotel is located on Ornos Beach, one of the trendiest, most popular and crowded beaches on Mykonos. But you won’t have to worry about getting a sunbed as the hotel has its own private section of beach just for guests. There’s also a swimming pool, and if you really want something special, you can book the pool suite with your own private plunge pool.

The staff go out of their way to make you feel comfortable here, from picking you up at the airport, to making recommendations for dining and organising activities like tours of the island or horse-riding on the beach! A delicious buffet breakfast is complimentary, and we loved starting our day right on the beach.

Mykonos Blanc has a truly wonderful spa with couples treatments, massages, facials and even special options for men or those suffering from jet lag. There’s a good gym on-site too, with a dedicated personal trainer to help you keep in tip-top shape during your stay.

Another excellent option on Ornos Beach is the Mykonos Ammos Hotel, a small luxury hotel with trendy sun loungers and beach service. Since Ornos Beach is only three kilometres away from Mykonos Chora, you can easily relax as much as you like or spend time exploring and partying in Mykonos town.

That’s if you even want to leave the hotel, what with it’s two different swimming pools and restaurants that will take you on a culinary adventure around the world! You can try Mediterranean fusion and sushi at the Kuzina beachside restaurant or authentic Italian dishes at Pasaji Mykonos. For a very special occasion, you can even organise a private dining experience right on the beach.

We really enjoyed relaxing beachside each day with drinks from the Ammos lounge bar served to us on the sand. The staff are so wonderful at this hotel, always thinking about how to make our stay even more perfect, whether it be from giving recommendations, making reservations, organising tours or even ATVs to explore the island.

Mykonos Ammos also has a luxurious spa and wellness centre with lots of treatments to choose from. We especially love that all the products they use are free from parabens, silicones, etc and they even offer special therapies for men! The perfect way to relax, unwind and be rejuvenated after a day on the beach…

You might have heard that Korfos Beach is too windy for relaxing or not to go there, but you’ve heard wrong! Yes, it’s northerly position makes it windier than the sheltered nearby Ornos Beach, but that also makes it perfect for those who are into surfing, wind-surfing, kite-surfing or anything else that requires wind and waves. But if adrenaline-pumping activities aren’t your style, while away the day on the unspoiled sand or go swimming in the infinity pool at Mykonos Waves Beach House and Suites.

Mykonos Waves gives you an affordable choice of suites or a beach house with a private Jacuzzi. The accommodation is fully self-contained with well-stocked kitchens so you can save costs by not going out every night if you don’t want to. Breakfast is served in a basket each morning or you can head to the nearby supermarket and bakery as well. You still get a twice-daily housekeeping service which includes little treats, so the whole place is always spotless and very welcoming.

One of the highlights of Mykonos Waves is the wonderful manager Terry, who always seems to have a smile for you as he does everything he can to make your trip enjoyable. There’s a complimentary airport (or ferry) shuttle service, and Terry even gives guests a rental phone in case you need to contact him during your stay. He even makes sure you have a fresh drink as soon as you check-in and brings you homemade sweets on some evenings!

If you loved the 1989 film “Shirley Valentine”, where the bored housewife heads to Mykonos, has a fling with a cute Greek guy and ultimately finds what was missing in her life, then you will definitely want to stay at Hotel Manoulas. This hotel is actually where many scenes of the movie were filmed and while it has since been updated, you’ll still be able to recognise those spots in the hotel or on the beach.

Agios Ioannis Beach is often considered to be the most beautiful beach on the southwest coast of Mykonos, with crystalline waters perfect for snorkelling and beautiful views to Delos island. Named after a small chapel overlooking the beach, Agios Ioannis is also home to the famous feast of St. John at the end of September—a wonderful time to visit and taste some of the local delicacies like onion pie or candies with grated almonds.

Hotel Manoulas is slightly more affordable than other beachside resorts and while it’s set back a little way from the Agios Ioannis beach, there’s still direct beach access so you can be on the sand with just a few steps. And when you get there, you can make use of the hotel’s sun loungers and full service from the beach bar. There’s also a nice swimming pool and a free American buffet breakfast is included in the room rates.

The rooms are small but focus on the gorgeous views. We loved the mix of whitewashed walls, marble bathrooms and wooden features throughout. Located just four kilometres from the Chora, you can also save money by using the bus stop outside the hotel to get into Mykonos town.