Vida, Mykonos Town, Greece | (618) 248-8274
Quiet, affordable hotel near the beach and central Mykonos
Attractive Cycladic architecture in sea-facing terraces and spotless rooms
Charming blue-and-white-themed rooms with pretty views
All rooms have balconies, kettles, and AC, plus Suites have whirlpools
Free airport and Mykonos Port shuttles
Free buffet breakfast with cooked, continental, and Greek fare
Saltwater outdoor pool with loungers and pool bar serving meals
Games room with billiards and fuseball
Pets stay for free
Free parking and Wi-Fi throughout
Nearby beach is small and mediocre
Steps throughout, and no elevator
No full restaurant
Some decor and bathrooms are on the dated side
Hotel only open May through November
Overlooking the Aegean's blue waters, Poseidon Hotel Suites offers mid-range accommodation, a short walk from downtown Mykonos, its windmills, and a small beach. Avoiding the island's notoriously steep prices, a crowd of mostly laid-back couples and groups of friends come here for attractive rates, poolside chilling, and a great location (although there's no avoiding the property's steep steps). All with balconies, the 58 rooms continue the hotel's whitewashed Cycladic style, and modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and AC. The outdoor pool is great, as are the pool bar's meals. Free breakfasts get rave reviews, and guests aren't phased by the lack of a full restaurant. Travelers wanting one should check out Mykonos View Hotel.
Scene
Traditional-style hotel with relaxed atmosphere
Overlooking Mykonos' island and serene waters, views are lovely from this no-frills property, where standards are high and prices reasonable. The property's Myconian blues-on-whites are traditional, as are accents from white-painted or exposed stone, although the lobby's textured marbles and sofas are contemporary, as is umbrella-shaded wicker seating around the outdoor pool. With little else in the way of features, the pool is the focal point. Terraces around it are great for the popular pool bar, but note, many steps stagger levels here, and rooms are reached by stairs. Guests here are primarily couples and groups of friends, many of which are repeat visitors. Note, the pool bar closes one month before the property's seasonal closures, so book between March and mid-October to avoid disappointment.
Location
Calm, scenic location, a short walk from Mykonos' town and windmills
Walks along the main road to the town's attractions can feel daunting, however, a shoreline path offers safer (and more-scenic) alternatives. It leads right onto a small beach, but don't expect a gorgeous one. Instead, most guests head to the Fabrika station (a three-minute walk), where busses run to Ornos, Platys Gialos, and Paradise beaches. Five-minute walks lead to Mykonos town, where winding streets are traditional, and whitewashed buildings form a wealth of restaurants, bars, and shops. Little Venice district and Mykonos' Kato Mili windmills are seven minutes away on foot, and sunsets there are spectacular. Free shuttles run to Mykonos Old and New Ports. Mykonos Airport is an eight-minute drive, and airport transfers are free.
Rooms
Clean, airy rooms with balconies and mostly great views
Bright rooms are outfitted in Cycladic decor that's on the traditional side, which guests will either find charming or a bit dated. The whites in walls, wood furniture, and sheets are softly accented by multi-tonal blues in bed runners and painted beamed ceilings, while island wall hangings have homey touches. Aqua drapes frame French glass doors opening onto furnished balconies or terraces with pool, island, windmill, or sea vistas, and 2013-renovated upgraded rooms offer the best views. Amenities include phones, desks, flat-screen TVs, and kettles for tea- and coffee- making, plus minibars, bottled water, safes, hairdryers, and AC. Upgraded rooms have sleeper sofas, and Suites include living rooms and private whirlpools. Bathrooms have granite floors and countertops, and blue-gray tile walls that are need of modernization, though they're well-kept. They have shower/tub combos or rainfall stall showers, plus olive-oil toiletries, slippers, and robes. Crib fittings and Wi-Fi are free. Note, rooms are accessed by steep steps, although ground-level rooms are available.
Features
Free breakfast, sunny outdoor pool with bar, and free shuttles
The list of amenities here is short, as the property notably lacks a full restaurant, though most guests don't seem to mind leaving the property for dinner. Free breakfasts here get rave reviews, and are served buffet-style in a simple breakfast room. The hearty spread offers cooked eggs and bacon, plus continental fare and Greek specialties like spinach rolls, cheeses, yogurts, and cakes. An assortment of terrace tables and chairs provide spots for al fresco dining, both for breakfast and light meals such as pizza and sandwiches from the pool bar. The freeform saltwater pool is lovely, and guests find the daytime music relaxing. Ample cushioned slate-gray loungers under umbrellas or canopies surround the pool. A game room with billiards and a foosball table is rarely used. Shuttles to Mykonos' Old and New Ports are free, as are airport transfers. Pets stay for free. On-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout are free.