Though you wouldn’t know it now, it wasn’t until the 1980s that Mykonos opened its first luxury hotel, on the island’s south coast—and so launched the influx of the best hotels in Mykonos. While this hotel, Myconian Ambassador, still stands, Mykonos today has become synonymous with luxury: hotels, restaurants, beach bars, and beyond. While best known as a place to party, there’s a lot more to this Cycladic island, with beats-until-dawn bars mainly confined to the (actually fairly small) area of Mykonos Town.
More than ever before, visitors are starting to notice everything Mykonos has to offer away from the late-night dining and dancing scene and choosing to explore the island’s wild, less-crowded coastlines instead. And, where tourists wander, hoteliers follow: over the last few years there’s been a boom in openings along the island’s southeast coast, from Kalafati beach, where you’ll find Cali Mykonos, to Elia beach, where Four Seasons Mykonos will open later in the year; the second Greek property from the brand, following its 2019 Athens Riviera launch.
Along the island’s west coast, stretching both north and south from Mykonos Town, there’s been a spate of new openings too—those in the north generally benefitting from easy access into the town, and those in the south taking advantage of a burgeoning foodie scene that centers around Ornos.
When the party’s over, kick back in one of Mykonos’ best bedrooms, with sensational views of the Aegean Sea, exclusive access to private beaches, tasting menus designed by top chefs, northern winds for kite-surfing, family-friendly suites, and secret swimming pools. As one of the best Greek Islands, it’s only natural that Mykonos be home to some of the best Greek Island hotels—from the buzzy first outpost of Soho House in Greece to family-run hotels set out like a traditional local village. From here, you can visit the prettiest places in Mykonos, lose an afternoon at a beach club, or take a slice of island life home with you after a day shopping.
For the loveliest places to stay, see our pick of the best hotels in Mykonos below.
What are the best areas in Mykonos to stay in?
For all of its hype, Mykonos is relatively small. The island is only about six miles long, so wherever you stay, you’re pretty close to the action and beaches. Some of the hotels on this list are found along the popular Ornos Beach on the island’s southwest. If you want to be based around some hubbub, this option has plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars nearby. To be in the thick of the party scene, look to hotels like Mykonos Theoxenia, located right in Mykonos town. If you’d prefer to be far removed from it all, Cali Mykonos is hidden away in the reclusive (and exclusive) coastal village Kalafati.