Review: The Kyma Hotel in Mykonos

Mykonos in Greece is the place to see and be seen. And the Kyma Hotel, with its harbour views and private pools, is definitely the best address.

From the moment you step on this wind-swept island, with its rugged landscape, white marble buildings and brilliant sunshine, Mykonos brings Mediterranean picture postcards to life.

And the Kyma Hotel, just a short walk to the town, which parties hard into the night, is a great place to start your stay.

Part of the Myconian Collection of 11 great hotels, it’s made for Instagram, and as if to illustrate this made-for-millennial locations, our waitress at our poolside dinner ushers in every course with a dramatic:  “Oh My God!”

From pork souvlaki on skewers served in a bed of French fries, fava beans with octopus, to a whole sea bream grilled to perfection and delicately deboned at the dining table, we had to admit every dish was indeed an OMG moment.

Perched on a hill, the five-star Kyma hotel, built 43 years ago, is a haven of luxury located above Mykonos town, just a 10-minute winding walk along the main road downhill. 

Almost everywhere you look, there are views to die for. From our intimate suite with its private plunge pool and deck overlooking the Aegean Sea to the restaurant by the main pool, which was the heart of the hotel. 

Surrounded by shaded sunbeds and George’s Bar, which turns out to be THE hot spot for guests to gather round sipping ice-cold cocktails, chilled Ouzo or even a fresh smoothie. Inside Noa restaurant, you can also choose to have breakfast or dinner at tables lining the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea and town.

Because of its hilly terrain, there are no lifts in the hotel’s complex. Instead, you navigate the steps to your suite. Thank goodness, the hotel’s concierge is manned by cool-looking, George Michael lookalikes with buffed bodies and strong muscles to carry our bags.

Our stylish suite has a neat double bed with a rain shower, an open plan luggage and clothes hanging space and a complimentary small bottle of Greek dessert wine with some Greek Turkish delight. All very yummy and naughty.

In the morning, walk to town and take in the gorgeous sights of Mykonos. And it really did live up to its global reputation as a hangout for the rich and famous.

Narrow cobbled lanes, romantic alleyways, whitewashed houses, chic boutique hotels, 16^th century windmills which double as hotel rooms and a tiny enclave called Little Venice, which hugs the seafront with a plethora of little cafes, restaurants and bars. 

This lively spot comes to life when the sun sets, and it’s time to down a cocktail or two and party late into the night.

We stopped by an ancient Greek pastry basement shop and treated ourselves to a Bougasta, a traditional Greek filo pastry stuffed with vanilla cream, baked on the premises by generations of the same family. It was sinful but so yummy. We then popped into a jewellery store – Greeks are very big on gold bangles, necklaces and rings.

We gently made our way back to The Kyma Hotel for a late breakfast – and what a spread it was. OMG!

Replenished and refreshed, we took a golf-buggy tour of the other two hotels, which formed part of the Myconian Collection.

The first, the 25-room Kohili, was opened by George Daktylides and his wife, Eleftheria back in 1979 and still remains in family hands. Eleftheria used to cook breakfast for all the guests and also took charge of housekeeping and laundry. At the same time, she and her husband raised four boys. 

Six years later, Kyma and Korali joined the hotel group, which was initially called the K-Hotels. In 1986, as the demand for luxury accommodation grew, the family bought a parcel of land on the south coast and built the first luxury hotel called the Myconian Ambassador Hotel Relais & Chateaux. 

Today, the family has a portfolio of 11 hotels. 

Under the Myconian Collection are Kyma, Korali and Naia hotels, each with its own contemporary restaurant from Naros, the Asian Fusion Sushi Bar at Naia hotel to Baos Fine Dining at Korali. The Myconian Collection hotels are run by the four Daktylides brothers.

The centrepiece of the hotel collection is the Satory Thalasso Spa, with six therapeutic salt-water pools which serve all three properties and are equally popular with hotel guests and locals.

Ever since it was “discovered” in the 1960’s, the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos has evolved into one of the trendiest and hippest destinations in Europe – patronised by the young and wealthy party-set from Denmark to Doha.

Mykonos, as a frequent visitor from London, says, has Insta-appeal and is high on the hit list for the most sought-after spot for a social media Instagram shot. From underwater bars to the longest, golden beach in Platis Gialos, you will be spoilt for choice on what to pick as the perfect spot.

The party island throbs with energy during the hot summer months, where temperatures can soar up to 36 °C or even higher. By September, things quieten down, and life settles back into a more even keel.

But there’s no denying, when it is hot and humid, it is definitely time to party in Mykonos.