Review: Myconian Imperial Resort (Mykonos, Greece)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Last month, I enjoyed a terrific holiday on the Greek islands of Santorini, Mykonos, and Ios (Cyclades). You can read my trip reports here:

Review: Lufthansa A320neo Business Class from Frankfurt to Mykonos
Review: Aeonic Suites & Spa, Mykonos
Review: Myconian Imperial, Mykonos (today)
Review: Calilo, Ios (PHENOMENAL hotel)
Review: Cavo Tagoo Santorini
Review: Andronis Arcadia, Santorini

Today: Review of Myconian Imperial Resort (Mykonos, Greece)

Location: Google maps
Hotel website: Myconian Imperial

A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Myconian Imperial is an exclusive address on Mykonos, poised immediately above the island’s longest beach in Elia. Its majestic white profile rises up from rustic stone walls that anchor it into the foot of a gentle slope, one foot in the water and with views that extend to the horizon. The property features 118 nicely sized guest rooms and suites, a luxury spa, two gourmet restaurants, and a large deck with two saltwater pools, Jacuzzi and swim-up bar. Pairing barefoot luxuries with high-end service, the Myconian Imperial is a long-standing favorite with island-hopping families and couples who seek a laid-back holiday in a beautiful setting that is a short ride from the island’s exciting nightlife by complimentary shuttle.

Have you ever stayed at Myconian Imperial? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube):

Pros & things I like
Cons & things to know
My verdict
Tips for future guests & save money
Best time to visit
How to get there
Photos

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Myconian Imperial has established itself among the island’s best 5-star resorts thanks to its excellent location above Elia Beach, Mykonos’ largest beach and also one of its most beautiful stretches of sand. Myconian Imperial and its adjoining sibling Myconian Royal Resort, both members of the Myconian Collection hotels, have been built on a steep hill just a stone’s throw from the beach. Mykonos Town is 10 km (6 mi) away by complimentary hotel shuttle, which departs from a centralized location and operates at regular intervals until 1:00 am. The resort also offers complimentary arrival and departure transfers to and from the Mykonos seaport or airport in an air-conditioned shuttle bus (shared with other guests).

Built in 2002, and renovated in 2017, Myconian Imperial is comprised of several buildings, which all face the Aegean Sea to maximize the spectacular views. Antonis Kalogridis – who was the head of the design team – visualised a metropolitan loft above the sea, combining classical Greek and modern Mykonian architecture. The result is a minimalist decor, which allows a beautiful contrast between the deep blue of the surrounding sea & sky and the luxurious all-white interiors. The design works particularly well in the hotel’s enormous light-flooded lobby, which features kitsch all-white statues of elephants & hippos, sculpted flying books, comfy chairs adorned with ‘I Love Mykonos’ cushions, walls of brightly colored glasses, and expansive stone terraces.

Myconian Imperial features 118 charming rooms, including 28 suites. The rooms are simply decorated in all-white materials, furniture and accessories that enhances textures, light and structure. Most rooms have balconies while some rooms come with a private pool or Jaccuzi. During my holiday, I stayed in a Premium Room, which featured an open plan layout: the elegant bedroom with kingsize bed and oversized lounger lead to a small balcony with view of a grassy patio and the sea beyond. Separated from the bedroom by a white curtain was a semi-open bathroom which featured one sink, a toilet and a bath that doubled as a shower. Standard amenities were complemented by a flat-screen television and staples of luxury toiletries.

One of Myconian Imperial’s best selling points is its huge outdoor pool deck, which features panoramic views of the sea, evoking the feeling of being on a luxurious ocean liner. Filled with salt water, the beautiful lagoon-style pool is split into two, with one section featuring a feet-in-the-water cocktail bar. Next to the main pool is also a small toddler pool for the hotel’s little VIP guests as well as a large Jacuzzi directly overlooking the beach (although the latter is filled with lukewarm water). The pools are lined by two rows of luxurious and very comfortable loungers, with the sunbeds in the inner row facing the pool while the sunbeds in the outher row look out over the Aegan Sea. Pool service is offered all day long.

Myconian Imperial is part of the Myconian group, a family-owned group of ten leading luxury hotels on Mykonos, including three Relais & Châteaux, two Leading Hotels of the World, two Design Hotels, two Preferred Hotels & Resorts and a Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Founded in 1979 by George and Elefteria Daktylides, the hotels are run today by their four sons Panos, Markos, Vangelis and Marios. Renowned for their contemporary elegance, innovative design and irresistible allure, all ten outstanding properties deliver the highest of hospitality standards while maintaining their own original personality and style. The group’s most exclusive property is Myconian Villa Collection, which was unfortunately not available during my travel dates.

The Myconian group manages six hotels on the hill above Elia Beach: Myconian Villa Collection, Myconian Imperial, Myconian Royal, Myconian Avaton, Myconian Utopia, and Panoptis Escape. Awarded the Blue Flag for its pristine beauty, Elias Beach brings together a cosmopolitan crowd of families, celebrities, jet-setting island hoppers, honeymooners, and LBGT travelers. Here, the water of the Aegean Sea is crystal-clear and perfect for swimming. For the more energetic, a wide array of watersports is available, including kayaking, windsurfing, waterskiing, parasailing, and wakeboarding. The Myconian Group has a private concession on the beach (right below Myconian Imperial), with free sunbeds & umbrellas for hotel guests.

Myconian Imperial features a small spa facility, which is located directly behind the pool deck. The spa describes itself as a “place of serenity and renaissance weaved with graceful luxury and an enrapturing atmosphere where time seems to have stopped in a cocoon of wellness.” Spa treatments are provided by experienced therapists and include a signature Elemis Biotec facial, a sun tanning body care treatment, as well as a 4-hand Hawaiian wave massage for the ultimate indulgence. The spa floor also features a heated indoor pool, a play room for children, and a fully-equipped gym with eight state-of-the-art machines and weight bar (open from 9 am to 9 pm). Private trainers and Pilates or Yoga tuition are available on demand.

Myconian Imperial has four restaurants on site (although guests can also make use of the other restaurants within the Myconian Collection’s portfolio of hotels & restaurants).
- Named after the warm Etesian wind, Meltemi is the property’s breakfast restaurant (open until 10:30 am each day). It offers a spectacular all-you-can-eat Champagne breakfast, which includes a selection of freshly baked breads, fruit platters, cured meats, yoghurts, cheeses, Mediterranean delicacies, and an assortment of cereals.
- Led by executive Chef Thomas Kontouris, Celebrities Seafood Restaurant is Myconian Imperial’s à la carte restaurant. Signature dishes include sea bass with black risotto, calf fillet with wild mushrooms, and the Aegean lobster caught by local fishermen between Mykonos and Tinos. Naturally, there are also delicious vegetarian options.
- Located on the pool deck is Sishu Sushi Bar, and open-air dining venue with breathtaking views across the bay. Each night, Sishu Sushi Bar serves Japanese dishes created with flair by chef Meiwang Ke Steven, prepared from the freshest catch hauled in at first light.
- During the day (until 8 pm), Imperial Myconian also opens a 4th restaurant, located next to the pool. Called Nostos Pool Bar, this venue serves light snacks, such as salads, burgers and pizzas (although these meals can also be served at your sunbed).

Myconian Imperial is counted among the portfolio of the Leading Hotels of the World. The latter is an exclusive collection of more than 400 luxury hotels and resorts in over 80 countries. LHW does not own hotels; it rather offers a reservation service for independent hotels and supports sales and marketing, advertising and public relations, financial services, quality control, and hotel inspections for its member properties. LHW has many iconic properties in its portfolio, such as such as the 12 Apostles Hotel in Cape Town, The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia, Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin, Le Sirenuse in Positano (Italy), Il Sereno Lake Como (Italy), Laucala Island in Fiji, the Setai Miami Beach, and The Ritz in Paris.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

With 118 rooms, Myconian Imperial is one of the larger resorts on Mykonos. The property also attracts a lot of families due to its child-friendly facilities, which might take away from the relaxed atmosphere that couples are looking for (especially on the pool deck). If you are looking for an intimate, small-scale boutique hotel and/or an adults only experience, you might prefer to stay at one of the Myconian Collection’s other hotels (like adults only Myconian Naia).

When the resort is operating at full capacity during the summer months of July and August, the breakfast buffet area tends to get busy and crowded after 9:30 am. In times of social distancing, this made me feel a bit uncomfortable, especially since not all guests were wearing a face mask. It also made me wonder why the hotel did not choose to avoid this situation by either offering an a la carte menu instead of buffet, by introducing a reservation system for breakfast, or by enforcing a mask and glove policy. It’s important to mention that the restaurant manager assured me that all safety protocols were followed (and that my feedback was taken seriously and followed-up with). Also, according to government reports, the hotel has had zero reported COVID cases, so maybe it’s just me being overanxious.

An undeniable part of the appeal of Myconian Imperial is its beachside location on a quieter part of the island. However, for some guests, the setting might feel a bit isolated and far away from Mykonos’ legendary party scene and nightlife. If you want to get to the action in Mykonos, you will either have to rent a car during your holiday or make use of the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service to Mykonos town (which runs until after midnight).

While elegant and charming, some of the guest rooms are a bit on the small side. Also, most rooms feature an open-plan design, which might be uncomfortable if you are sharing the room with a friend (and not your partner). If you want more space and luxury, I recommend to either book a suite or to check out the resort’s sister property, Myconian Royal, which is located next door. Myconian Royal, also a member of Leading Hotels of the World, is similar in layout and design to Myconian Imperial, but features a larger inventory of suites. Of course, you could also choose to stay at Myconian Villa Collection, the most exclusive (and expensive) resort in the Myconian Collection. Located directly above Myconian Imperial, Myconian Villa Collection offers 59 private villas and in-house guest rooms & suites overlooking Elia Bay.

The advantage of staying at Myconian Imperial is that it’s the closest hotel in the Myconian Collection to Elia Beach. The beach is reachable via a short stroll (5 min) down the hill, although it might be inconvenient for those having difficulties with walking because of the steep incline.

MY VERDICT

Location: 8/10
Design: 8/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 7/10
Food: 9/10
Breakfast: 9/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Value for money: 9/10
Overall experience: very good 8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Myconian Imperial (and/or receive many free perks).

Save money: Myconian Imperial participates in The Leading Hotels of the World’s loyalty program Leaders Club. By joining Leaders Club (which you do here), members receive complimentary benefits across the group’s impressive portfolio of luxury hotels (including Myconian Imperial). This includes room upgrade opportunities, the chance to earn free nights (by collecting points), members-only savings and offers, and on-property benefits. For clarity, bookings must be made via The Leading Hotels of the World website to receive these benefits (bookings made directly with the hotel do not count). Read my review of Leaders Club here.

Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Mykonos are the autumn months of September and October: the weather is still great, the tourist crowds have left, the sea temperature is at its warmest, and the hotel rates are within reasonable range. The spring months of April and May, before the summer rush comes, are also a great time to visit, although the sea is cold and you may encounter some cloudy days. Mykonos is a very popular holiday destination for Europeans in June, July and August: expect hordes of tourists, nonstop parties and soaring hotel rates at this time of year. Summers also see a lot of windy days, with the Meltemi blowing for long periods, especially in the afternoons (sometimes gale force like winds).

HOW TO GET THERE

Myconian Imperial is a 30 min car ride from the ferry harbour and the aiport (complimentary transfers are provided). Click here for a constantly updated list of airlines that offer direct flights to Mykonos.