Hotel Tagoo

Operating for decades under the hand of a Canadian expat, the Hotel Tagoo is one of the older hotels on the island. She wears her age well, and the exterior reflects the island's signature white and blue architecture. However, some areas of the hotel have suffered slightly from the natural moisture damage that comes with living near the water.

The white building sports bright blue doors and shutters, and a stone walkway guides guests toward reception. Inside, they will find black and white tile floors and a stylish blend of maritime and antique-style decor. Wooden furniture, sea-related art, and light turquoise cushions fill out the space, while windows give glimpses of the hotel's renowned views. The grounds are covered in white concrete and stone walkways, seating areas (some shaded), and gardens full of hibiscus. The earth-toned patio furniture, darker stone flooring, and natural wood furniture provide an attractive contrast to the traditional white buildings. Watching magnificent sunsets from the rooftop pool is a must.

Located in a quiet area in Mykonos's Tagoo district, Hotel Tagoo is surrounded by villas and hotels. It's in between Tourlos, where the new port is located (and where most of the ferries dock) and Mykonos Town, the island's main hub of restaurants and shops; both are around a 15-minute walk away. Resting up on a hill, the hotel gets beautiful views of the Aegean Sea and escapes the constant symphony of cars interrupting the serenity of other conveniently located Mykonos hotels. A small beach is nearby, and there are free hotel transfers to Mykonos Airport, an eight-minute drive away. It's a 10- to 15-minute drive to beaches on the south coast (including Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paradise, and Super Paradise).

Hotel Tagoo has a handful of different room types, but all are spacious and most have an outdoor space. Most rooms have views, but keep in mind that some balconies and patios are within common walking space. Note that Wi-Fi may lose strength the farther from the lobby you get, and the best sunset views are on the west side. All rooms have silk flowers, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, kettles, and TVs. Bathrooms are fairly basic with various toiletries.

Hotel Tagoo may not have a full-service restaurant on-site, but its high elevation makes for panoramic views of the coast and town below. Guests can enjoy some of the best sunset views from the rooftop -- also the location for the hotel's large, rectangular ocean-view pool. On special nights, Hotel Tagoo hosts a "Greek night", a special view into traditional Greek culture. The free breakfast consists of a generous spread of eggs, sausage, cold cuts, cheeses, yogurts, and fresh fruit; guests can either eat inside the traditional and quaint breakfast room (with white walls, arched cutouts, and wooden tables covered in turquoise and white tablecloths) or outside in the shade. At a respectable hour, drinks are available poolside, where there is also a daily food special. The pool bar has a covered, grotto-like seating area facing the sea. The hotel has free airport transfers and requires a four-night minimum stay during the peak months of July and August.