Reviewed by
Melinda McDougall
Mykonos, the original Cycladic haunt of the 1960s, is back in vogue. And the in-place to lay your head is the stylishly minimal Ostraco. It sits on a hill above the impossibly pretty horseshoe-harbour of Chora, with long views out to a scudding blue sea. Guests lounge around on sumptuously cushioned day-beds in shaded pergolas, or top up their tans on white-clad sunloungers around an amoeba-shaped pool. In the evening, the place comes alive with music, lanterns, cocktails and a party-soul bartender: a fitting prelude for a night on the tiles (or rather cobbles) of Chora’s labyrinthine alleys, glitzy restaurants and laid-back dance clubs.
But it's the supremely cool interiors that really take your breath away: rustic and retro design details adorn a backdrop so brilliantly white that you’ll be wearing your Armani shades inside. And it could not be more romantic: twinkling views, heated outdoor Jacuzzis in some suites, even a pair of immaculate chapels on hand in case you pop the question.
But it's the supremely cool interiors that really take your breath away: rustic and retro design details adorn a backdrop so brilliantly white that you’ll be wearing your Armani shades inside. And it could not be more romantic: twinkling views, heated outdoor Jacuzzis in some suites, even a pair of immaculate chapels on hand in case you pop the question.
Highs
- The rooms’ pared-down aesthetic is the last word in Greek island chic
- With 22 rooms and suites, the mood is intimate and sociable (it is still family-owned)
- Manager Stella and her excellent team provide faultless, friendly service
- You can take a day-trip to ancient Delos, shop (or bop) till you drop in Chora’s designer boutiques and clubs, hang out among the perfect bodies of Paradise beach, or jump on a bus or fishing boat to a quieter cove
Lows
- Some road noise in the rooms nearest the street
- It’s a steep 10-minute walk (or short taxi ride) into town
- Some outdoor areas feel overlooked
- Mykonos is the most expensive island in Greece, and Ostraco’s rates reflect this
Best time to go
If you can make it in May, early June, September or early October, that’s the best time: not too hot, not too crowded, and room rates are significantly lower. Prices across the island rise between mid June and early September, and at Ostraco the peak period runs from late July to late August. Note the island can get very windy in summer.
Our top tips
Bear in mind that taxis in Mykonos are in short supply, and high demand, so book ahead - or use the hotel's shuttle.