From its perch on a private peninsula overlooking the sparkling Aegean Sea, Santa Marina has long quietly reigned as the leading luxury escape on the glitzy Greek island of Mykonos. With its stunning setting and thoughtful design, Santa Marina stands as a destination hotel in its own right – but its loyal returning guests will tell you it’s the resort’s warm, timeless Greek hospitality that truly sets it apart.
Before Mykonos became the sun-kissed playground of the international jet set, Santa Marina began life as a humble stone guest house built among the hills of Ornos Bay, on a plot that also included a pigeon house, a windmill, and a small chapel that would give its name to the hotel. Entrepreneur Elias Papageorgiou bought the land in 1979 and over the next four and a half decades, additions and renovations transformed the estate from a private summer home for his friends and family into the island’s number one luxury hotel, while never losing its homely, intimate character.
Santa Marina’s modern interiors were dreamt up by designer Silvina Macipe Krontiras, a longtime friend and guest of the hotel, according to the vision of Christina Papageorgious, Elias’s daughter, who took over stewardship of the hotel in 2012. Together, they eschewed the Cycladic clichés of small openings and white-on-white minimalism and embraced a more international and textured aesthetic that gave centre stage to the bright blues of the Aegean, with floor-to-ceiling windows inviting the sea into every room, softened by warm, tan-toned wood, raffia, and generous touches of bamboo. Vintage-style travel trunks serve as bedside tables, while rattan headboards and hanging lanterns bring a homely, lived-in glow. The 105 rooms and suites each come with their own terraces, but it’s the twelve villas set higher on the cliff that claim the most spectacular views, complete with secluded pools, spacious patios, and a heightened sense of privacy. The newest addition is the three-story Windmill suite, a landmark of the property’s heritage lovingly restored as a cozy, characterful retreat.
Beyond the bedrooms, Santa Marina unfolds across the cliffside like a tranquil village, with its whitewashed villas cascading down towards the Aegean amid sweeping lawns fringed by fragrant rosemary, lavender, and bursts of blooming oleanders – a rare flourish of colour on Mykonos’s otherwise barren landscape. The adults-only Oasis saltwater infinity pool, framed by four sunken cabanas, offers spectacular sea views, while kids can enjoy a second pool in a separate location adjacent to a playground: this is a hotel that strikes a rare balance between laid-back luxury and genuine family-friendly appeal.
Elsewhere on the grounds, there’s a tennis court (private lessons are available) and a fitness center equipped with the latest Technogym equipment for cardio and weight training. Here you’ll also find the Ginkgo Spa with its own steam room and sauna (free to use for all guests), and an extensive menu of ESPA massage therapies, 111SKIN facial treatments, and Ginkgo Spa specialities including the traditional hammam ritual. Best of all, Santa Marina is the only resort on the island with its own private beach, a 150m curve of golden sand shielded from the island’s fierce winds, where hotel guests can lounge under yellow-and-white parasols and drinks arrive on cue courtesy of the ever-attentive staff.
Across the resort, service is exceptional. This is the kind of five-star hotel where housekeeping attunes to the rhythms and routines of your day and has your room turned down by the time you’ve finished your afternoon workout. Order your coffee a certain way once, and it will be remembered the next morning (the same goes for your favorite cocktail). Other little touches count for a lot, too. On arrival, guests receive a thoughtfully curated welcome pack that includes a hand-illustrated map of Mykonos. It’s more than just a pretty souvenir: the map features personal recommendations from the hotel’s staff and traces scenic walks across the island and through Mykonos Town’s labyrinth of white-washed boutiques and tucked-away taverns.
Meanwhile, the concierge is always on hand to help tailor coastal excursions. Santa Marina owns two Kaiki sailing boats, traditional wooden vessels that can be chartered with skipper and crew to explore the islands’ hidden coves and sandy beaches. For something speedier, RIB boats are on standby to spirit you to the beach club in style or across the sea to the mythical island of Delos. The sacred birthplace of the gods Apollo and Artemis, Delos is a sun-bleached open-air museum, a vast archaeological wonder where visitors wander among the crumbling columns, ancient amphitheatres, and open temples without the heaving crowds you’ll find at other historic sites like Pompeii. Unmissable.
A comprehensive buffet-style breakfast is served up at Santa Marina’s all-day restaurant, Elais. Named after a princess from Delos and daughter of Apollo, Elais is set high on the cliffside, amid the hotel gardens with panoramic views of the sea and the superyachts moored offshore. The kitchen celebrates traditional local fare, beginning with generous mezze platters and hot starters like keftedakia – spiced meatballs simmered in rich tomato sauce. Signature Mykonian pasta dishes, crisp Greek salads topped with barrel-aged feta, and the day’s fresh catch grilled to perfection are among the other options rounding out the menu. For something more casual, guests can opt for a classic chicken gyros or a hearty club sandwich.
Tucked beneath the cliffs below, overlooking Santa Marina’s private beach, is Buddha Bar, a chic restaurant that smoothly transitions into an exclusive late-night beach bar, drawing revellers from across the island. The ever-evolving pan-Asian menu keeps things fresh, with staples like spicy salmon sashimi, yellowtail rolls, and standout dishes such as crispy lacquered Peking-style or indulgent Kagoshima A5 Wagyu. Cocktails are playful and creative – I asked the server for something sour, and with a conspiratorial grin, he returned with the ¿oye como va?: a bold blend of mezcal, tequila, green chartreuse, and apple-lemongrass syrup. Floating in the foam were the words “life is better when you’re drunk”. Perhaps. Or maybe it’s simply better when you’re sipping cocktails at sunset, music drifting on the breeze, at the finest hotel on Greece’s most fashionable island.
