Mykonos was the first Greek island to be ‘discovered’ in the 1950s, and its main town rapidly gained a reputation as the Cyclades’ most picturesque harbour. With its perfectly curved bay, its tangle of white-washed alleys and those much-photographed windmills, it became a must-see for any island-hopper. Today, trendy clubs and fashion boutiques attract a more colourful, pan-European crowd of the young and beautiful, including a vibrant gay scene.
Near the top of town - and of its accommodation range - the Belvedere positively oozes style and glamour. With a sushi restaurant courtesy of Nobu (where Japanese cuisine meets the Aegean Sea), a 5,000-bottle wine cellar, an in-house DJ playing poolside, and bar drinks mixed by the man who founded the American Cocktail Museum, its credentials are as impeccable as the guests' tans. The town centre is near enough to stagger back from a night on the dancefloor, yet far enough to sleep in relative peace when you get in. And when you wake, there's that picture-postcard view (and a bumper breakfast buffet till noon). So, if you feel like a sybaritic salad of sunshine, shopping and sashimi, place your order here!
Highs
- The panoramic pool with its white-leather loungers is the meeting point for the island's glitterati
- The acclaimed Matsuhisa Mykonos - the first open-air Nobu restaurant in the world
- From Bosé speakers to muscle-soothing jacuzzis, everything is designed to indulge
- This is a great place to make new friends, and most rooms can accommodate (even unexpected) extra guests
- Service is smiling and unfaltering, from fixing jeep hire to swopping your Korres toiletries for Bulgari
Lows
- Standard rooms are fairly simple and smaller than you would expect for the money; side-facing rooms don’t get much of a view
- In summer the poolside party continues till the early hours - don't try and beat 'em, just join 'em
- Part of the fun is to see and be seen: if that's not a priority, try another hotel (or another island)
Best time to go
Mykonos is full to bursting throughout July and August (it receives nearly a million visitors a year, half of them in these two months). If you can come in May, June or September, you will probably enjoy yourself much more – the clubs are open but not packed; the tavernas and boatmen are pleased to see you; the sea is warm enough to swim; the hotels are more likely to have space. From October to April, Mykonos is half closed, but if you don’t mind this, it’s a great time to wander through the deserted alleys and beaches. And it's a lot cheaper.
Our top tips
If you're thinking of hiring a moped on Mykonos, don't. There are hundreds of accidents every year, due to rough roads, dodgy brakes and (let's be honest) drunk drivers. Hire a jeep instead. Or push the boat out - literally - and hire a fishing caique.
- Boutique Hotel
- 42 rooms
- Restaurant
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Sauna
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Dubbed New Generation by their NY-based designers The Rockwell Group, and described in the hotel's literature as "an entire living experience", the recently restyled rooms and suites do their best to impress. 'Crystal-ice' marble floors, wafting muslin curtains, and white-washed walls and beams create a clean and contemporary look, offset by bespoke walnut furniture and arty rosewood lattices. Wide, comfy beds, temperature control and sound insulation make them perfect for a post-party pass-out, while outside the summer silly season, underfloor heating, iPod docks and flatscreen TVs keep you comfy.
We loved the clean, minimalist look - white walls, pale grey beams, marble bathrooms - but it's worth noting that the entry-level rooms are quite compact (about 23 sq.m. for the Standards), some of which only have courtyard views. (These are fine as a crashpad, and you can spend your day by the pool). But we'd definitely advocate a Panoramic Room if you can afford it (26-30 sq.m.), some of which have private sundecks with lovely views over town. The junior suites are larger (40 sq.m), with a sitting area, but the views are less good. If you want both wonderful views and a spacious sitting area, you'll need a Panorami or Belvedere Suite.
There's also a separate complex about 250m from the main hotel, containing a dozen Hilltop Rooms spread across 3 whitewashed buildings, with their own smaller pool and snack bar.
The vibe here is more tranquil and secluded, but you can nip back to the main hotel - a free shuttle operates regularly - for meals, spa treatments and the buzzy poolside vibe. The rooms here are typically 30-35 sq.m. - a few have private jacuzzis or plunge pools which we think look fab - and there are a couple of larger suites too.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- WiFi
Eating
At the heart of the hotel is a 19th century, two-storey Myconian townhouse – the family home of the ancestors of the Ioannides brothers, who now run the hotel. Transformed into a cosy, split-level restaurant, it now serves a fabulous buffet breakfast – croissants, quiches, chocolate and lemon cakes, cereals, fresh juices, fruit, eggs and bacon, all obligingly available until noon.
But it's at dinner time that it - and the pool terrace - really come alive. Here you'll find Matsuhisa, presided over by Japanese celeb-chef Nobu Matsuhisa or (more often) his Kikkoman-trained sous-chefs, the first open-air Nobu restaurant in the world. The sushi is, of course, immaculate - even the sauces are flown in especially from Japan. But you'll need to book a table well in advance.
For daytime dining and light meals, somewhat more typical of the Mediterranean setting, the Pool Club serves an all-day menu of fresh pizzas, seafood tacos, locally caught fish and delicate salads. The hotel also has an Italian restaurant, Cocco, occupying a prime seafront spot in the Little Venice part of town.
The cellar is stocked with over 5,000 wines from Greece and France, including a Hadzimichalis red whose deep flavours still have me salivating at the memory. There's also a delightful cocktail bar for sundowners.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Chill out in Mykonos’ coolest clubs - Elysium is nearby
- Warm up on the Cyclades’ hottest beaches - Paradise and Super Paradise are legendary
- Hire a jeep or (at your own risk!) moped to reach a quieter cove or a Byzantine monastery
- Take a day boat tour to Delos island, sacred in antiquity as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and boasting wonderful ruins (agora, sanctuaries, temples, theatre)
- Go scuba diving – Mykonos defies Greek tradition by allowing this sport on its beaches – or water-skiing, or wind-surfing (all available at various beaches by the hour or day)
- Check out the town’s clothes boutiques, leather shops, jewellery stores and art galleries
- Visit its archaeological, marine and folklore museums; photograph its iconic windmills and chapels, including the 4-in-1 Paraportiani
- Enjoy a cocktail on the waterfront of ‘Little Venice’
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Nightlife
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
Kids
Children are welcome and can be accommodated on extra beds and / or a double sofabed in the suites. Room prices are for 2 people so there are additonal charges for children over 2. Baby cots are supplied free.
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting available by arrangement
Baby equipment:
Baby cots available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Belvedere is on the Greek island of Mykonos, on the edge of its main town (Mykonos Town). Mykonos is part of the Cyclades island group.
By Air:
Mykonos (2km) (seasonally restricted) or Athens (year-round flights). There are also domestic flights from Crete to Mykonos.
By Ferry
If you are island-hopping, ferries run from Athens' port of Piraeus (3-5 hours), or Rafina near Athens (2-4 hours), and your closest neighbours are Syros and Tinos.
Getting to the hotel
From Mykonos port it is a 5-minute taxi ride. From the airport it is a 15-minute taxi ride (the hotel can arrange this).
By Car
If you wish to hire a car to explore the island see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions to the hotel itself will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Mykonos 2.0 km JMK
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km