A Hotel Mykonos

Like most of the hotels on Mykonos, The A Hotel was built with traditional Cycladic architecture that features smooth whitewashed walls and stone accents. Gardens are filled with whitewashed rocks, palms, and ferns -- in keeping with the island's natural fauna and flora. Inside, the boutique hotel is beautifully decorated with obvious care. The lobby has white wooden ceilings, plush modern armchairs, and an interesting art display of hanging stones. The contemporary pool bar wouldn't look out of place in Miami, with blue and white swirls on the ceiling and clean lines. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the pool area. Guests are mostly international couples on a romantic beach vacation, but kids are a common sight too. Note that the hotel is family-owned and operated and past guests are regularly charmed by the friendly service. 

For travelers who want to stay well away from the hustle and parties of Mykonos Town, The A Hotel is a good option. It's a 20-minute walk (or free 10-minute shuttle ride) to Mykonos town and another five minutes or so to the island's western beaches. Little Venice is an 11-minute drive. Kalo Livadi Beach is a 15-minute drive to the southeast. Cavo Paradiso is a 16-minute drive. Mykonos International Airport is a 10-minute drive south. It's an eight-minute drive west to Mykonos Port. 

The pristinely clean rooms at The A Hotel by Mykonos come in configurations of Country, Island, Family, and Apartments. Each has a similar minimalist design scheme with white walls, tile or laminate wood flooring, platform beds, hanging lamp pendants, and built-in sofas. Circular mirrors and simple abstract art add interest to the walls. All rooms come standard with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and an electric safe. Family Suites sleep four if two kids are willing to sleep on a sofa bed. Apartments upgrade to a kitchenette with a refrigerator. Bathrooms feature showers, toiletries, and hairdryers -- but note that some sinks are located in the bedroom portion of the room. Furnished outdoor spaces are a nice touch. 

Features here are focused on convenience. All rates include a popular breakfast spread of homemade Greek items like cakes and yogurt, plus hot selections such as eggs and mini-quiches. The poolside bar offers a huge selection of drinks, plus a menu of snacks and light meals. The pool itself is quite chic. It's surrounded by whitewashed rocks and the deck holds a bar area plus plush loungers. A whirlpool is also on offer. Surprisingly, the hotel has a small fitness center with a few cardio and strength-training machines. Free on-demand shuttle service is provided to the port, airport, beaches, and Mykonos -- a nice perk considering the out-of-the-way location. Wi-Fi and parking are both free.