Apanema Resort

Apanema Resort is an intimate, boutique property geared towards leisure travelers, including couples and families. The boxy, fresh white facade with arched doorways and stone accents is classic Cycladean style, and offers an immediate take on the hotel's tranquil, seafront vibe. Guests are offered wine and fresh fruits on arrival, setting the stage for relaxation. The lobby is small but tasteful and unpretentious, with tiled floors, milk-white walls with stone accents, and a wood-beam ceiling that pairs well with country-chic furniture. But the real lounge spaces here are outside, where guests gather by the infinity pool and on the tiered stone terraces, accented with pergola-climbing vines, to stare out over the sea and port.

Apanema Resort is set right across from the water, with only a narrow two-way road between the property and the sea. The location is picturesque and relatively quiet, ideal for guests who want to be close to the town center but not stuck in it, as it can get overcrowded during high season. The north edge of Mykonos town is about a 15-minute walk from the property, and is filled with shopping, dining, and nightlife options. Guests should note, though, that the road to town is narrow, and uphill in one direction. 

Saint Stephanos beach is a bit of a hike on foot, about a half-hour walk, but it's reachable by car in five minutes, and the popular Little Venice waterfront area is about a 20-minute walk. The Mykonos Ferry Terminal is about a six-minute drive and Ornos resort area and Mykonos Island National Airport are each about a 13-minute drive. The hotel offers shuttle service to the airport and port for extra fees. Cars, motorbikes, and bicycles can be rented on-site. Parking is free. 

The simple, fresh white rooms here have an airy, beachy feel thanks to pristine white walls and bedding, beige tiled floors, and sea views from private balconies or terraces (all rooms face the water). Entry-level rooms can feel a little sparse decor-wise, but upgraded rooms add stylish details like wood ceilings, chandelier lighting, canopy beds, or other accents. Bathrooms tend to be small but modern with black tiling, rich red basin sinks, and walk-in showers.

Rooms are air-conditioned and feature 32-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, safes, and mini-fridges, but the lack of kettles or coffeemakers feels like an oversight at this pearl level. Bathrooms amenities include robes and slippers, high-end individual toiletries, and hairdryers.

All rooms are spacious -- entry-level rooms are over 300 square feet, and the two-bedroom suites, designed for up to four guests, are more than double that size. One Superior Double features it's own mini private pool that extends from inside the room to an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea. 

Relaxation is the name of the game here, and for such a small property the Apanema gives a nice set of amenities geared toward just this. A highlight is the infinity pool and adjoining children's pool that look over the port and the sea. This tranquil area is surrounded by a stone patio that includes tiered sections with loungers for sunbathing. The pool area is also home to the hotel's bar, and the property's casual restaurant features a window wall that leads directly out onto the pool space. Guests can dine indoors or out. All rates include an a la carte breakfast, served until late, and offered with a choice to eat by the pool or in-room. There is no gym or spa on site, a pity for this pearl level, though in-room massages can be arranged.

Family-friendly features include loaner cribs and high chairs, plus babysitting service for an extra fee. Concierge service, currency exchange, laundry service, and turndown service are other services available. Airport and port shuttle service can also be arranged for extra fees, and the hotel offers car, bike, or motorbike rentals. On-site parking and Wi-Fi are both free.