Greece › Mykonos › Hotels › Absolute Mykonos Review
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: Sits just above Megali Ammos Beach at the edge of Mykonos Town.
• Hotel website: absolutemykonos.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22890 23883
• Check prices for Absolute Mykonos
The sea-view infinity pool at Absolute Mykonos hotel in Megali Ammos.
Hotel Review
Absolute Mykonos – Five-star boutique hotel with an infinity pool, full-service spa, and gorgeous sunset views, all within walking distance of Megali Ammos Beach and Mykonos Town.
Absolute Mykonos is a family-owned luxury hotel conveniently located near the island’s best dining and nightlife, and walking distance to the beach. Its free-form infinity pool has a built-in jacuzzi and stellar sunset views from the pool deck or bar. The Junior Suites can run on the smaller side, but the hotel offers several spacious suites, including the Absolute Suite with a private jacuzzi and their unique three-level Traditional Windmill suite. Service is always warm and personal. The hotel is located on top of a hill, about ten minutes on foot to Megali Ammos Beach or to Mykonos Town.
See Also
Absolute Mykonos – Location
- Area: Absolute Mykonos is located just above Megali Ammos Beach at the edge of Mykonos Town, about a 6 to 12-minute walk from the nightlife, dining, and shopping that has made Mykonos famous. The landmark Kato Mili windmills and the Old Port are accessible within 8 and 11 minutes’ walk, respectively. The bus stop at Fabrika is only 4 minutes’ walk away, making it a breeze to reach the island’s best beaches, airport, and ferry port at Tourlos.
- How to Get There: Absolute Mykonos is located just off the main road connecting Mykonos Town to the airport and southern beaches, making it very easy to reach by bus, taxi, or driving yourself. It is approximately 5km from the Mykonos ferry port in Tourlos, and 3km from the Mykonos Airport to the hotel.
To reach the hotel by bus, take the Fabrika-bound bus from the Airport or the Tourlos Ferry Port (AKA “The New Port”). These airport and ferry port routes run several times a day throughout the summer but infrequently (if at all) in the winter. Fabrika, in Mykonos Town, is the closest bus stop to the hotel, just a 4-minute walk (350m) away. There is also a bus stop near the Old Port, about 1.5 km from the hotel. The bus from the Airport to Fabrika takes about 15 minutes, while the bus from the New Port to Fabrika takes just under 20 minutes. The walk from Fabrika to Absolute Mykonos is mostly along a flat route, though the street is narrow and there is a good deal of traffic. Bus fare should be about €2; tickets are purchased on the bus or from a manned kiosk at the terminal, in cash only.
Taxis are also available from the port or airport, though there are only about 30 taxis serving the whole island, so there is often a long wait; schedule a ride through a private car service in advance to avoid this (I use and recommend Welcome Pickups). Taxis on Mykonos are not metered, so be sure to agree on a price with the driver before setting out. A taxi from the port or airport to Absolute Mykonos will cost roughly €15-20. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $38 (or €31), but is worth it to avoid the wait and for the convenience of paying ahead.
For those who prefer to drive themselves, we recommend renting a car either at the airport on arrival, or in Mykonos Town. We strongly recommend reserving a vehicle in advance, especially if you require automatic transmission. Upon arrival at the hotel, Absolute Mykonos offers free parking.- Handy to: Megali Ammos Beach. Dining, nightlife, and shopping in the Chora. The Windmills of Kato Mili/Little Venice.
Absolute Mykonos – The Basics
- Ages: The hotel is open to guests of all ages. Most guests tend to be couples, friends, or groups between ages 25-65.
- Beach: The nearest beach to Absolute is Megali Ammos. The hotel sits right above the beach, though it takes a good 10 minutes to hike the trail down to the water. Megali Ammos is an unorganized beach with no beach clubs or sunbeds to rent. The best organized beach nearby is at Ornos, 2.5 km away. This is a popular beach with golden sand, clear water, and plenty of beach clubs. Ornos Beach and several other great beaches (Platis Gialos, Paraga, Paradise, and Agios Ioannis) are easy to reach by bus from Fabrika nearby.
- View: The vast majority of rooms at Absolute have sea views. There are a few junior suites and the 2-bedroom Veranda Suite that have garden or courtyard views, which are basically street and village views.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: The Absolute Suite and the Windmill Suite both have private, outdoor jacuzzis.
- Parking: The hotel offers free parking in their lot on-site.
- Extras: Most bookings include complimentary arrival/departure transfer, super fast wi-fi in each room and throughout the hotel, free use of the sauna and steam room in the spa, laptop on request, concierge, babysitting (additional fee), and 24-hour reception.
- When to Book: Absolute Mykonos is open from May through October. Reserve at least 3 months in advance (6 months is better) for stays during the high season from June through September, and about 2 months in advance for the low and shoulder seasons.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: +30 22890 23883
- Email: dream@absolutemykonos.com
- Website: absolutemykonos.com
Absolute Mykonos – Amenities
- Pool: Absolute Mykonos has a free-form infinity pool with a built-in jacuzzi offering sunset views overlooking Megali Ammos Beach.
- Spa: The hotel has a small, full service spa. Its steam room and sauna are complimentary for guests’ use.
- Fitness Center: The hotel offers a small but well-equipped gym with cardio machines, free weights, and a cable machine.
- For Disabled Guests: This hotel is spread over a few floors connected by stairs with no elevators. Not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
- For Families: Absolute Mykonos is an all-ages hotel. Family amenities include babysitting (additional fee) and cots for extra guests. Most rooms are designed for 2 guests max, but the Spacious Two Bedroom Veranda Suite and the Traditional Windmill Outdoor Jacuzzi can sleep up to 4.
- Activities: The concierge team is happy to arrange tours or activities, including yachting, visits to Delos Island, cooking classes, helicopter tours, and more.
Absolute Mykonos – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: Absolute’s restaurant is open all day long from 8 am until 11 pm and serves a small all-day menu of Greek and international meals, snacks, cocktails, and wines.
- Lounge/Bar: The Pool Bar is open from 11 am until midnight, offering fantastic cocktails and gorgeous sunset views.
- Breakfast: A complimentary breakfast is included in most (but not all) room rates. Absolute offers a combination of a cold buffet and a supplementary à la carte menu from 7 am to 11 am. Though the restaurant is excellent overall, breakfast is not their strong suit. One coffee per guest is free every morning, though additional cups cost extra (very strange policy).
- Room Service: Available during regular restaurant hours.
Absolute Mykonos – Rooms
- Room Types: Unique Junior Suite Courtyard View • More than a Junior Suite Sea View • Enjoy Suite Sea View • Supreme Suite Sea View • Spacious Two Bedroom Veranda Suite • Absolute Suite Jacuzzi Sea View • Traditional Windmill Outdoor Jacuzzi
- Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their rooms. Smoking is allowed on the private outdoor terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
- Best Room: The best rooms for couples are the Absolute Suite Jacuzzi Sea View and the Traditional Windmill Outdoor Jacuzzi. The Absolute Suite offers a spacious 55sqm with an indoor jacuzzi, while the Traditional Windmill suite is the largest of all, spread across 3 stories with a private outdoor jacuzzi. The Traditional Windmill suite offers views of the village, Kato Mili windmills, and the sea in the distance (versus the direct view over the beach of the Absolute Suite), though the windows are small (as is typical of classic Cycladic architecture).
- For Families: The best options for families are the Traditional Windmill Outdoor Jacuzzi and the Spacious Two Bedroom Veranda Suite. The Traditional Windmill offers 2 bedrooms with queen-sized beds and 2 bathrooms spread across 3 stories with sea views, while the Spacious Two Bedroom features 1 king and 2 singles on one floor with 50 sqm of space and garden/courtyard views. Family amenities include baby cots and babysitting.
Absolute Mykonos – Local Transport
- Walking: The hotel is located on the southern edge of Mykonos Town on a hill overlooking Megali Ammos Beach. Absolute is within 500m of the heart of the village (Chora) and all of the island’s best dining, nightlife, and shopping, and about 600m to the beach. Little Venice and the windmills are 800m away, the Old Port is a kilometer away, and 2 excellent sunset viewpoints are nearby at Boni’s windmill (800m) and 180° Sunset Bar (1.5 km uphill). The road to and from town does not have a sidewalk and is pretty busy with cars, so exercise caution when walking, especially at night. That said, most people do walk in this area, so drivers are used to sharing the space with pedestrians here.
- Bus: Absolute Mykonos is near 2 bus stops. The closest stop is at Fabrika, a 4-minute walk (350m) away, which serves the New Port (Tourlos), Airport, and the beaches at Ornos, Agios Ioannis, Platis Gialos, Paradise, and Paraga. There is also a bus stop at the far end of the Old Port (1.5 km) that goes to the New Port (Tourlos), Ano Mera village, and the beaches at Kalafati, Agios Stefanos, Kalo Livadi, Elia, and Panormos. There is no bus connecting Fabrika and the bus station at the Old Port; it takes about 15 minutes (1 km) to walk from one to the other. Tickets cost from €1.60 to €2.30, depending on the destination. Buses can get very crowded, especially during the high season, so much so that they often fill to capacity and are unable to take on more passengers. There are only 26 public buses serving the island. Bus schedules change every couple of weeks, so check the KTEL website for the most current timetables.
- Taxi: The nearest taxi stand is at Fabrika next to the bus stop, about a 4-minute walk (300m) from the hotel, but there are generally fewer taxis traveling through this area than at the main taxi stand, which is about 1.5 km away, near the Old Port, behind the Cosmote building and next to the post office. There is almost always a wait at either taxi stand as there are only 30 taxis serving the entire island. Book ahead to avoid the wait, and have the driver meet you at the hotel instead. There will be a surcharge for advanced reservations (about €5) and for carrying luggage, usually just a couple of Euros. A taxi from the port or airport to Absolute Mykonos should be around €15-20.
- Water Taxi: The New and Old Ports and several beaches are connected via a boat system. The Sea Bus connects the New Port and Old Port with routes running about every 30 minutes, all wheelchair accessible, and all €2 one-way per person, while a Delos round-trip costs €20. Water taxis also connect the southern beaches, with routes connecting the main beaches at Ornos and Platis Gialos with the more remote beaches at Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia. An all-day, all-beach pass costs €20.
- Scooters and ATVs: Scooters are the main mode of transportation for the locals, and ATVs are super popular with tourists, but if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, these can be very dangerous to drive. The roads in Mykonos are zig-zagging, hilly, narrow, littered with potholes, sometimes dirt roads, and without street lights in most areas outside of Mykonos Town. And that’s not to mention the aggressive drivers, some of the world’s worst. A rental car is a much safer bet than a scooter or ATV, and can just as easily reach the more remote beaches on the island.
Absolute Mykonos – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Bakalo Greek Eatery: Excellent choice for simple, Greek comfort foods like moussaka and cheese dumplings.
- Krama Fine Greek Dining: At Semeli Hotel, Krama features elevated versions of classic Greek comfort foods.
- Thioni Restaurant: Contemporary, creative Greek fine dining, also at the Semeli Hotel.
- Funky Kitchen: Phenomenal Greek-Mediterranean restaurant, fusing classic flavors and modern techniques and featuring seasonal, local ingredients. Great vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Reservations recommended.
- To Maereio: Cozy restaurant serving traditional Greek family recipes and fantastic wine. This popular restaurant does not take reservations, so arrive early or have a glass of wine on the terrace while waiting.
- M-eating Restaurant: Creative, Greek fine dining with a casual atmosphere. Known for their lamb and beef dishes, fresh seafood, and their Mykonian onion pie.
- Sakis Grill House: Great little pit stop for gyros, kebabs, and souvlaki. The best cheap eats on the island.
- Kadena: Casual, waterfront spot for Greek and Italian food all day long until the wee hours.
- Caesar’s: Family-owned restaurant serving traditional Greek comfort foods in a friendly atmosphere.
- Pasaji: The best beach club in Ornos, Pasaji offers great sushi, meats, cocktails, and shisha served on the beach or in their open-air dining room.
- Kiki’s Tavern: Located at Agios Sostis Beach, Kiki’s Tavern is a little out of the way, but well worth the 8 km drive to get there. This open-air restaurant serves a stripped down menu of grilled meats, seafood, and veggies in a stunning setting and free wine while you wait for a table (they do not take reservations).
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Alley Cocktail Bar: Awesome bar with a seasonal menu featuring local herbs, fresh fruits, and signature drink blends.
- Bao’s Cocktail Bar: Named after the pirate Bao, defender of the island, this bar offers amazing cocktails, all night dancing, and some of the best sunset views in Mykonos. Reserve ahead for the best view tables, or drop in anytime late for drinks and partying in the main bar or in their performance/VIP lounge Secret of Bao’s upstairs.
- Semeli the Bar: Spectacular sunset views outside and a packed dance floor inside. This bar tends to attract a younger crowd and more Americans than other bars in Mykonos. There is a 1-drink minimum per guest.
- Galleraki: Gorgeous spot for sunset cocktails and a lively atmosphere late into the night. The best views are from their upstairs balcony, so reserve ahead or arrive early to snag a spot there.
- Scarpa Bar: The best fresh fruit cocktails in Mykonos, and also known for their signature drinks, especially the Roger Rabbit (vodka, carrot, lime, peach, passionfruit). Their namesake Scarpa cocktail is the Greekest drink you’ll ever taste (mastiha, vanilla, beet, lemon, yogurt). Sunset views and house music until sunup.
- Skandinavian Bar Disco Nightclub: One of the oldest night spots in Mykonos, Skandinavian is a large complex with 2 bars downstairs, a rowdy dance club and bar upstairs, and an outdoor courtyard.
- Katerina’s Cocktail Bar and Restaurant: Owned by the first female Greek sea captain, Katerina’s Bar offers a perfect perch for sunset views from the upstairs bar or the downstairs restaurant, serving exceptional seafood and refreshing cocktails at both spots.
- Notorious: Cozy cocktail bar with a small all-day menu and creative, signature drinks. Live music most nights and karaoke on Friday nights.
- Jackie O’ Bar: The most fun bar in Mykonos, Jackie O’ is a gay bar (straight-friendly) open for sunset cocktails, all-night dancing, and nightly drag shows. They have a sister bar in Super Paradise Beach Club that’s also worth a visit.
- Babylon: Right next door to Jackie O’ Bar, this popular gay bar (straight-friendly) and dance club hosts regular events, including drag shows, dancers, and theme parties from sundown to sunup.
- 54 Cocktail Bar & Sunset Lounge: Gay/straight bar and dance club with an awesome DJ, friendly staff, and fantastic cocktails. The party starts late here, so arrive around 9 or 10 for a chill vibe or after midnight for a livelier atmosphere.
- 180° Sunset Bar: Amazing outdoor bar with panoramic views over Mykonos Town and the Old Port. Though it’s usually busy, there is plenty of room to spread out over multiple patios. This is a more low-key bar than those in the heart of the village.
Best Nearby Cafes
- Cosmo Café: Charming little café with great coffee, fresh produce, and fantastic omelets and crepes.
- Gioras Wood Medieval Mykonian Bakery: The best baklava in Mykonos. Gioras has been in the same family for a couple hundred years, and uses traditional recipes and methods to create their decadent pastries.
Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops
- Mytho: Wonderful gift shop selling 100% Greek products, many handmade and unique. Located at the Kato Mili windmills.
- Osklen: Innovative, high-end, Brazilian streetwear boutique selling clothing, beachwear, shoes, and accessories for men and women.
- Alter Ego: Boutique shop specializing in women’s clothing, sandals, and jewelry by Greek designers.
- Soho Soho: There are 4 branches of this designer store in Mykonos, 2 of which are in Mykonos Town. Both of the shops are about a 10-minute walk away, one for men and one for women.
- Optique Boutique: Stylish frames and sunglasses shop with a staff that excels at matching up shoppers with their most flattering shapes.
- Emmanouella’s: Women’s clothing boutique offering limited and exclusive pieces by Greek designers.
- Elena Makri: Luxury women’s boutique by the former Vogue editor-in-chief. Clothing, shoes, and accessories that take inspiration from classical Greece.
- Rarity Gallery: Truly amazing collection of contemporary artwork and exhibits, free admission, and no pressure to buy.
- Boutique of Sandals: Awesome selection of handmade, leather, Greek sandals. Some low-key designs but mostly crazy boho styles.
- Cosset Design: Upscale art, furnishings, and home décor store with a curated collection of unique and extravagant pieces.
- Ilias Lalaounis: Iconic jewelry store offering unique works by the legendary late goldsmith.
Nearby Attractions
- Windmills of Kato Mili: 5 picturesque windmills that were once part of the largest, most important flour mill on the island that was in operation from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Only the exteriors are available to visit now. This is the most recognizable landmark on the island.
- Little Venice: The western half of Mykonos Town, with sunset view restaurants, lively bars, and all-night shopping, mostly built in converted 18th-century fishing houses.
- Old Port: Beautiful waterfront neighborhood with restaurants, bars, shops, and a beach, plus the ferry to Delos Island.
- Paraportiani Orthodox Church: A complex of 5 churches built over the course of 2 centuries beginning in 1425.
- Boni’s Windmill: This 16th-century windmill is the oldest on the island and offers gorgeous sunset views from the top of the hill. Inside the windmill is part of the Agricultural Museum, open in the summer months from 2 pm until 8 pm.
- Folklore Museum: Tiny, slightly disorganized collection of 19th-century Mykonian furniture, ship parts, and artifacts once owned by a local pirate. Free admission (donations welcome).
- Mykonos Farmers: Wonderful dairy offering tours of the facilities and a variety of cheesemaking classes.
- Delos Island: A holy sanctuary for over 1,000 years before becoming known as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The ruins of Delos are one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. Ferries leave from the Old Port several times a day, cost €20 round-trip, and take about 20 to 30 minutes to reach the island, depending on the weather. A guide is recommended. Check here for schedule.
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
- AB Food Market: Small branch of the supermarket chain offering a good selection of groceries, produce, wine, and beverages at reasonable rates.
- O Parianos Fruit Shop: Excellent local vendor selling seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Absolute Mykonos – The Hotel
Outside of Absolute Mykonos. The door in the middle leads straight to the reception area, and the free parking lot can be seen on the left.
Turning the other direction, you can better see the traditional Cycladic design of the building, with a white boxy shape and small windows (the windows in the suites are larger). To the right, the Traditional Windmill suite is visible.
View of the Traditional Windmill Outdoor Jacuzzi suite from the front.
The Traditional Windmill Outdoor Jacuzzi suite is the largest suite on-site with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms spread over 3 stories. Though Absolut’s windmill suite is not the only one on the island, it is definitely the most luxurious one.
Entering the hotel, guests are greeted at the 24-hour reception desk.
The lobby features a contemporary, minimalist décor, which is repeated throughout the hotel.
Adjacent to the lobby is the coffee bar and restaurant where the breakfast buffet is set up daily.
The restaurant offers a small but high-quality menu of Greek and international dishes throughout the day from 8 am until 11 pm.
The pool is directly behind the restaurant.
The free-form infinity pool is surrounded by stylish sun loungers. The pool bar can be seen here in the back right.
There is an attached jacuzzi on the side closest to the restaurant.
The infinity pool and pool bar boast sweeping sunset views over Megali Ammos Beach, the Aegean Sea, and the old pirate hideout of Bao’s Island (Mpaos).
A zoomed in view of Megali Ammos Beach, about an 8-minute walk downhill.
The pool bar serves the pool and pool deck from 11 am to midnight.
The pool bar gets busy around sunset, so arrive early to get the best seat.
Back inside Absolute there is a small, sunny gym with modern equipment.
Near the gym is a tranquil full service spa…
…offering a wide range of massage and treatments for men and women. Check rates and availability: Absolute Mykonos
About Santorini Dave