We’ve been checking out some of Greece’s best wellness destinations (Image: Getty, Laura Mulley)Over the last few years, Mykonos has earned a reputation as the most glamorous of the Greek islands, a place where the rich and famous come to enjoy the blue seas and pretty towns by day, and party at upmarket restaurants and beach clubs at night. One of Mykonos’s most popular areas is Little Venice, a maze of narrow, whitewashed walls opening up into cave-like bars and boutiques — but there’s an oasis of calm to be found right in the middle of it all. READ MORE: ‘I’ve found the ultimate beach holiday that’s still hot in October – it’s just hours away’
Mykonos is a chic and upmarket holiday hotspot
(Image: Laura Mulley)
Where to stay in Mykonos Mykonos Theoxenia is one of very few five-star hotels in the area – and certainly the most central – located just behind the island’s famous windmills, a top sunset-snapping spot. This makes it an ideal base for anyone who wants to explore the winding streets, world-class restaurants and vibrant nightlife, yet stroll back to a relaxing hideaway to recharge afterwards. Originally built in the 1960s when it as visited by A-listed such as Jackie Onassis and Maria Callas, Theoxenia’s architecture has a chic, open-air feel, with rooms set around a stylish (and quiet) pool lined with the comfiest sun beds we’ve ever laid on; we happily spent most of our days here. Most of the rooms have balconies and sea views; we loved drifting off to the sound of waves crashing into the rocky shoreline below our Sea Front room. These do overlook a public footpath so if it’s absolute silence you’re after, book a Sea View or Garden View room.
The peaceful pool area at Mykonos Theoxenia
(Image: Mykonos Theoxenia Hotel)
The rooms are simple and chic
(Image: Mykonos Theoxenia Hotel)
The spa at Mykonos Theoxenia A treatment in Theoxenia’s underground spa, So Spa!, is well worth the money. Our 60-minute full-body aromatherapy massages felt like they lasted much longer (in a very good way), and my masseuse’s firm hands left my muscles feeling looser than they had in months. It’s ideal for after a flight, a late night or a long few months at work. Poolside massages are also available. The food at Mykonos Theoxenia Breakfast is often a real highlight at top Greek hotels, and Theoxenia’s is surely one of the very best. Each morning, the buffet table was laden with a huge array of hot and cold delicacies that changed daily, including local dishes such as tsoureki (a sweet almond bread), galaktoboureko (filo pastry with a custard filling) and kayanas (scrambled eggs with tomato and garlic). There are also green juices, heaving fruit platters and gluten-free options for anyone looking to balance out the indulgences of the night before. Outside the hotel, restaurants we ate at and loved in Little Venice include Kastro’s for romantic sunset views, Nautilus for fresh fish and seafood, and Rhino for delicious ‘dirty’ vegan street food.
The breakfast at Mykonos Theoxenia was a real highlight
(Image: Laura Mulley)
What to do in Mykonos The best night in town comes courtesy of Lio, a dinner/cabaret/party experience that also has venues in Ibiza, Mallorca and London, and regularly sees celebrities step through its doors (Zac Efron was spotted partying here last month). Enjoy fine dining and world class cocktails and wines while Lio’s glamorous performers put on an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular of a show. It’s not a cheap night out, but it’s an unforgettable evening.
Lio’s performers put on a great show every night
(Image: Lio Restaurant)
How to book Rooms at Mykonos Theoxenia start from £352 per night. Book directly through the Mykonos Theoxenia website or via booking sites such as Expedia. Lio has a minimum spend of €250 per person. Where else to stay Four more chic Greek hotels to have on your wellness wishlist… King Jason, Zante Opened in June this year and overlooking Tsilivi Bay, adults-only King Jason is one for water babies; its buildings are surrounded by 10,000 square metres of water, including a sunken dining area and lots of swim-up suites. One unique spa offering at King Jason is a ‘slowness coach’, encouraging visitors to enjoy a slower pace with meditations in the resort’s olive groves, tea ceremonies and stretching classes. Floating hydro-therapies are also on offer, as well as massages incorporating local products such as wine and herbs. * Rooms start from approx. £277 per night on an all-inclusive basis. Book directly through the King Jason website or via booking sites such as Expedia.
King Jason is a new adults-only resort in Zante
(Image: King Jason)
Canaves Ena, Santorini You’d be hard pushed to find a hotel in Santorini that doesn’t have the wow factor, but the Canaves Collection resorts really are something special. Following a total renovation of the property – which was built from wine caves dating back to the 17th Century – Canaves Ena reopened its doors earlier this year, offering guests 18 luxurious suites built into the walls and a picture-perfect infinity pool. Rooftop yoga classes are available, as well as a beautifully lit cave spa offering spa rituals, plus an external couples’ treatment room. * Rooms start from £553 per night B&B. Book directly through the Canaves Ena website or via booking sites such as Expedia.
Stunning views in Santorini
(Image: Canaves Ena)
Lindos Grand Resort & Spa, Rhodes The Lindos Grand is a stunning adults-only destination offering five-star experiences, fine dining and a stellar spa in an unbeatable beachfront location overlooking the serene cove of Vlycha. The perfect retreat from the Mediterranean heat, the Aegeo Spa offers a wide range of treatments using the spa’s own products with natural ingredients sourced from all over Greece, including tailor-made massages, tan-enhancing body prep and anti-ageing facials. Our writer particularly loved the ‘Holy Grail’ facial, reporting that the soothing face mask using avocado and olive oil left her sensitive complexion calmed and glowing. * Rooms start from £284 per night in a Deluxe Double Garden Room on a B&B basis. Book directly through the Lindos Grand website or via booking sites such as Expedia.
Our writer loved her stay at Lindos Grand
(Image: stathis Bouzoukas)
Casa Cook, Samos A stylish sanctuary can be found at one of the lesser-visited Greek islands, Samos, with Casa Cook delivering laidback luxury by the beach. There are six swimming pools, and its wellness offering includes a gym, outdoor yoga space and spa offering more unusual treatments such as hammam rituals, reflexology and ‘healing’ head massages, as well as the usual face and body treatments. Outside the hotel, guests can explore Samos’ green mountains, waterfalls and turquoise coves. * Rooms start from approx. £261 per night on a B&B basis. Book directly through the Casa Cook website or via booking sites such as Expedia.
Visit the lesser-known Grek island of Samos
(Image: Casa Cook Samos)
Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Best Ryanair-approved cabin bags
Antler Discovery backpack
Durable, lightweight and surprisingly spacious, this combines the ease of carrying of a backpack with the capacity of a cabin case. It’s a favourite with our editorial commercial content director Michelle Darlow, who packed it on a recent Ryanair flight to Italy
£140
Antler
Buy Now
Kipling Art M multi-use medium tote with trolley sleeve
Another tested-and-tested favourite with our shopping team, this is a good choice if you’re after something a bit softer and less structured. It’s available in a huge number of colours and a handy trolley sleeve if you are travelling with a larger case.
£107
Kipling
Buy Now
Amazon underseat foldable travel duffel bag
For value, nothing much beats this duffle bag from Amazon, which also looks smart and timeless. Available in 28 colours, it measures 40 x 19 x 25cm and fits perfectly under the plane seats, it complies with Ryanair’s strict travel luggage rules which allows you to take a free cabin bag measuring 40 x 20 x 25cm.
£9.99
Amazon
Buy Now
Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterMore OnTravelZac Effron
