Santa Marina Resort and Villas, Greece - review

An exclusive-feeling spot for anyone visiting the “Island of the Winds”. By Sally Newall
Lap of luxury: private dining by the pool (Picture: George Fakaros)
© GEORGE FAKAROS - All Rights Reserved
Sally Newall6 July 2015

With its azure sea, dazzling whitewash and blue buildings clustered on sunny hillsides, Mykonos is picture-postcard Greece. And in its own mini “village” on a private peninsula in the south-west of the island, the Santa Marina Resort is a chilled, exclusive-feeling spot for anyone visiting the “Island of the Winds”.

Given Greece’s economic turmoil it might not seem the prime time to visit, but as Mykonians were keen to stress to me, the island depends on tourism in the summer, so don’t be put off — just bring plenty of cash.

Now is also an opportune time to visit as the hotel is fresh from a three-year revamp, which saw the 100 rooms and suites upgraded (the 12 villas are next) and culminated in the opening of the Buddha Bar Beach — a new restaurant, bar and entertainment space.

Before I can venture down to dip a toe in the Aegean, there are steps to be negotiated (this is not the place for anyone with limited mobility). From the drop-off point I’m directed up to reception via a wide stone staircase dotted with lanterns and display cases showing off wares available in the hotel’s two boutiques (designer, natch).

It’s up again to get to the room, housed in a pleasingly Cycladic building. Then it’s back down past the spa, gym-with-a-view, tennis court, helipad, children’s play area and the two spectacular — if cold, as I later discover — infinity pools on different levels. Unlike the winding streets of Mykonos Town or the island’s crowded “party” beaches, space is not an issue at Santa Marina.

Chic suit: a junior suite at Santa Marina Resort and Villas

Nowhere is that more evident than on the 150m-long sandy beach, furnished with cushion-scattered daybeds and curving around to a pier lined with roomy covered loungers. It’s more appealing — and sheltered — than the pools, which were empty during my stay early last month. As part of the new Buddha Bar set-up, music on the sands comes from Dubai import DJ Dimi.el — a chilled backdrop for a sundowner, but given that the hotel is geared up for families, it may not be popular with all guests.

The Buddha Bar is part of the glitzy Paris-based group of venues that serves pan-Asian food and cocktails to an affluent clientele. This is its first beach bar and it’s compatible with the Mykonos crowd — part mega-glam (Katy Perry and Nicole Scherzinger are fans) part beachy boho. The décor is sea-view-appropriate: light decking, wicker seating and aqua earthenware, softened with cream drapes and lots of cushions. The eastern influence creeps in with sculptural vases on contrasting black plinths, orchids and the obligatory stone Buddha.

The menu makes the most of the seafood that’s on the doorstep. There’s super-fresh sushi, an oyster bar and fish with eastern-inspired trimmings, as well as a few dishes more suited to a Chinese takeaway than an upscale beach restaurant. Cocktails are a speciality, with Greek-inspired concoctions among the signature options. If you’re after more Mediterranean cuisine (and cheesier tunes), aim for the Colonial Pool Restaurant, housed under verandas around one of the pools. There are local influences on the menu alongside smoothies and juices. The substantial buffet breakfast is also served here.

Buddha Bar by day (Picture: George Fakaros)
© GEORGE FAKAROS - All Rights Reserved

As with the rest of the hotel, the Lotus spa is well appointed with sea views. Alongside treatments using Ila & Phytomer, there is also a hammam, sauna and lounge area to get guests into holiday mode. If the aromatic massage I had was anything to go by, it’s worth paying the inevitable mark-up for the relaxation factor.

There are seven room categories at the Santa Marina, as well as two- to four- bedroom villas. My sea-view room was small by five-star standards (particularly the bijou balcony) but it was an inviting space, decorated in neutral colours with coral artwork and sculpture. Mattresses were super-comfy and, unusually for a hot climate, the bedding was perfectly pitched.

It was the huge bathroom that was the star of the show, though; sinks carved from wood, a cool, black-pebbled wall in the spacious shower and Aqua di Parma toiletries. There is a television in all rooms and free wi-fi, but be warned, it’s patchy.

Room service, like the service elsewhere, was oddly ambivalent. At times staff were extremely atttentive (falling over themselves to bring towels on the beach, for example). At others, it felt lacking for a hotel in this price bracket — despite being reassured more were on their way, my friend and I only had enough toiletries for one and the helpfulness of reception staff was a lottery.

If you do tear yourself away from the private beach, you can get the public water taxi from Ornos to some of the island’s best beaches on the south coast — the hotel has a private boat if you’re feeling flash. Revellers head to Super Paradise or Psarou for beach parties that kick off in the late afternoon.

The hotel also puts on an infrequent shuttle to Mykonos Town (a 10-minute drive), where you can walk the winding streets in Little Venice or pose by the landmark windmills. The archaeological site on nearby Delos island — the ancient sanctuary said to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis — is certainly worth a visit. The hotel can organise the trip and the little bit extra you pay is worth it for the air-conditioned taxi back.

Santa Marina Resort and Villas, Ornos Bay, Mykonos, Greece (00 30 22890 23220; santa-marina.gr). Doubles start at €410 (£291) including breakfast and transfers.

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