Anax Resort & Spa in Agios Ioannis, Mykonos

Greece › Mykonos › Hotels › Anax Resort and Spa Hotel Review
by Santorini Dave • Updated: May 3, 2021

Essentials
• Location: On a cliff above a private section of Agios Ioannis Beach
• Hotel website: anaxmykonos.gr
• Hotel phone: +30 22890 77600
• Check prices on Booking.com

Anax Resort and Spa – Romantic resort on a private beach with an excellent culinary program, full-service salon and spa, and two saltwater infinity pools.

Rooms, suites, and maisonettes all have private balconies, most with sea views, many with outdoor jacuzzis, and some with private pools. Two sparkling infinity pools and a large jacuzzi overlook the Aegean. The hotel’s restaurant offers a casually elegant atmosphere, Greek and Mediterranean fare, a carefully curated wine list, and an ideal perch for sunset viewing. Anax Resort’s wellness center features a phenomenal spa with a range of holistic therapies, along with a salon and gym. The private beach is comprised of a sandy, manmade section lined with sunbeds and fronting a gorgeous rocky shore. Sandy Agios Ioannis Beach is only a short walk away. Major perk: the hotel offers complimentary arrival and departure transfers to and from the airport and ferry port, plus free shuttle service to Agios Ioannis and Ornos Beaches.

See Also

• The Best Hotels in Mykonos
• Where To Stay in Mykonos
• Best Tours & Things To Do in Mykonos

Anax Resort & Spa – Location

Anax sits on its own private beach about 350 meters south of quiet Agios Ioannis Beach, where you’ll find a couple of excellent restaurants. It’s a steep climb down a rocky patch that separates the hotel’s private beach, so most people walk along the main road, about a 9-minute walk northwest, or take the hotel’s free shuttle. Walking the opposite direction about 13-minutes leads to lively Ornos Beach for more dining, beach clubs, and the water taxi linking the south coast beaches. The only kitesurfing beach in Mykonos, Korfos Beach, is about 16-minutes away on foot. Anax Resort is only a 4-minute walk to the bus stop for Mykonos Town.

• How to Get There: The hotel is located in Agios Ioannis on a side road just off the main road to Mykonos Town, easy to find by car, bus, or taxi. It’s about 7.5 km from the Mykonos ferry port in Tourlos and 4.5 km 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. Get off at Fabrika in Mykonos Town, and catch a second bus to Agios Ioannis. The bus from the Airport or Ferry Port to Fabrika should take around 10 minutes, and the bus from Fabrika to Agios Ioannis should take about 10 minutes. The total trip should cost about €4 and take under an hour, depending on how long you wait at Fabrika for the Agios Ioannis bus. Tickets are purchased (cash only) on the bus or from a manned kiosk at the terminal. Buses typically run about every 30 minutes during summer peak hours and less frequently at night, in the early morning, and in winter. It is about a 4-minute walk from the bus stop.

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 airport or ferry port to Anax Resort & Spa will cost roughly €20 to €25. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $38 (or €31) and 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, Anax offers free parking.

• Handy To: Agios Ioannis Beach (9-minute walk or take the free shuttle), Ornos Beach & the Water Taxi (13-minute walk or take the free shuttle), and Korfos Beach (16-minute walk or take the free shuttle to Ornos and walk 7 minutes to Korfos)

Anax Resort & Spa – The Basics

• Ages: The hotel is open to guests of all ages and offers several suites and maisonettes that accommodate up to 4 guests; larger families will need to book 2 suites. High chairs are available in the restaurant, and the chef can prepare special meals for children. Babysitting arranged on request. The hotel’s free shuttle service makes it easy and affordable for families to get around, despite its location away from Mykonos Town and the busier beaches.
• Beach: The hotel sits on a private beach with a sandy, manmade section and a rocky, natural sea entrance with crystal blue water. Guests also have access to the longer, sandier beach at Saint John Hotel, a sister property right next door. Slow-paced Agios Ioannis Beach, a narrow strip of soft sand with a handful of restaurants, is about 350 meters northwest of Anax along the coast, though it’s a steep scramble over some rocks, so most people walk along the inland road for 9 minutes or take the hotel’s free shuttle. Both the hotel’s beach and Agios Ioannis Beach face west with uninterrupted sunset views toward Delos Island, the mythic birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
• View: Most rooms and suites have a full sea view. The Executive 2 Bedroom Suite, Exclusive 2 Bedroom Suite with Private Pool, and some Exclusive Suites with Private Pools offer side sea views. Exclusive Maisonettes with Pools offer what the hotel calls a “limited view” with views of the sea from the top floor balcony and partial sea views from the pool.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: All rooms and suites have indoor jacuzzi baths. Many rooms and suites also have private, outdoor, heated jacuzzis (Luxury Beachfront Suite) or unheated, saltwater plunge pools (Luxury Suite, Anax Suite, Exclusive 2 Bedroom Suite, Anax 2 Bedroom Suite, and Exclusive Maisonette), or swimming pools.
• Parking: Anax Resort offers free on-site private parking.
• Extras: Private beach, free arrival and departure transfer, free shuttle to Agios Ioannis and Ornos Beaches, 24-hour reception, boutique, sundry shop, welcome drink, beach bag welcome gift, departure gift, twice-daily maid service (maids deliver bottled water in the morning and evening), pillow menus, honeymoon packages (bottle of Greek wine, fresh fruits, local snacks, fresh flowers, 25-minute couples massage).
• When to Book: The hotel is open from early May through mid-October. Reserve at least 3 months in advance (4 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 77600
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: anaxmykonos.gr

Anax Resort & Spa – Amenities

• Pool: The hotel is home to 2 saltwater, sea view, infinity pools (unheated) and 1 oversized, sea view jacuzzi (heated).
• Spa: Anax offers a wellness center with an emphasis on massage therapy and a menu of unique signature services. There is also a full-service salon, hammam, and sauna.
• Fitness Center: The hotel features a small gym with a range of cardio and strength training machines and free weights.
• For Disabled Guests: The hotel is built down the side of a hill with most rooms accessible by stairs. There are elevators connecting most floors and golf carts to help move people around the property, but for those using wheelchairs, it is not very accessible. Not recommended for people with limited mobility.
• For Families: Anax Resort is open to guests of all ages. Family-friendly amenities include spacious suites, high chairs and kid-friendly meals in the restaurant, and babysitting services. The hotel provides arrival and departure transfers for free, as well as a complimentary shuttle to Agios Ioannis and Ornos Beaches, making it convenient and affordable for families to get around.
• Activities: The hotel often has live music around sunset at its signature Greek restaurant, Kyma. A dedicated concierge team skillfully arranges offsite activities, such as Delos Island excursions, sailing cruises, helicopter tours, and more.

Anax Resort & Spa – Food and Drink

• Restaurants: The hotel’s signature restaurant, Kyma, sits above the pool and offers sea views and spectacular sunsets. Kyma serves an upscale Greek-Mediterranean menu for dinner complemented by a selection of Greek and international wine. Gluten-free options are available.
• Restaurant: Neraki Sunset Bar serves lunch, light snacks, and drinks in a casual setting. Gluten-free options available.
• Lounges/Bars: The poolside Snack Bar offers light bites (some gluten-free), juices, coffee, and cocktails from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.
• Lounges/Bars: The gorgeous Luminous Sunset Bar offers welcome drinks to arriving guests.
• Breakfast: A complimentary, American-Greek buffet is included with each booking with an excellent selection of high-quality fruits, pastries, local delicacies, and coffee drinks. Daily in the main restaurant space from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Breakfast can also be delivered to the rooms for a small price.
• Room Service: Available during restaurant/bar hours.

Anax Resort & Spa – Rooms

• Room Types: Aegean Sunset Deluxe Double Room • Grand Executive Suite • Premium Honeymoon Suite • Exclusive Suite with Private Pool (Side Sea View) • Exclusive Suite with Private Pool (Sea View) • Exclusive Maisonette with Private Pool (Limited View) • Luxury Suite with Private Pool • Luxury Beachfront Suite with Outdoor Jacuzzi • Executive 2 Bedroom Suite (Side Sea View) • Anax Suite with Private Pool • Exclusive 2 Bedroom Suite with Private Pool (Side Sea View) • Anax 2 Bedroom Suite with Private Pool
• Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any room category. Smoking is allowed on the outdoor private terraces and in some outdoor common areas.
• Best Room: The best rooms for most guests are the Anax Suite with Private Pool or the Luxury Beachfront Suite with Outdoor Jacuzzi. The Anax Suite offers 1 bedroom with a king-sized bed, a separate living room, an indoor jacuzzi bath and separate shower, a spacious sun terrace, and an outdoor, private pool all spread over a generous 75 square meters. For traveling in the height of summer, this is the best option; however, the pool (like all pools on-site) is not heated. For spring and fall travel, consider the smaller (55 square meters – still quite roomy) Luxury Beachfront Suite with Outdoor Jacuzzi. This open-plan suite with a king-sized bed and outdoor, heated, jacuzzi immediately above the private beach. The Luxury Beachfront Suite is the only room onsite with a heated, outdoor jacuzzi.
• For Families: Anax Resort is open to guests of all ages. Family-friendly facilities include spacious suites, kid-friendly meals, high chairs in the restaurant, and babysitting on request. The hotel’s free shuttle service to nearby beaches, arrival and departure transfers, and golf carts on the property make getting around easy and affordable for families. The largest suites sleep a maximum of 4 guests; larger families will need to book a second room or suite. The best option for families is the Exclusive 2 Bedroom Suite with Private Pool, a 55-square-meter suite with one king-sized bed and 2 twin beds, a combination jacuzzi bath and shower, and an outdoor plunge pool on an ample sun deck.

Anax Resort & Spa – Local Transport

• Walking: Anax Resort is located on a cliff above its own private beach about 350 meters south of Agios Ioannis Beach, about a 9-minute walk to the public beach, where you’ll find a few excellent, sunset view restaurants. Ornos Beach and Korfos Beach are both around 15 minutes away on foot, though there are no sidewalks along those routes. Most people take the hotel’s free shuttle to Ornos, though taxis, busing, and driving are also possible. From Ornos, it’s just a short walk north to Korfos. Ornos Beach is one of the best beaches on the island for swimming, lounging, and dining, with several great restaurants and beach clubs along its edge. There is also a water taxi here that stops at most of the southern beaches of the island. Korfos Beach is not as beautiful as Ornos, but it is the only kitesurfing beach on the island. There are a few restaurants, grocery stores, and a pharmacy near Korfos Beach.
• Bus: The closest bus stop to Anax is just a 4-minute walk away. Buses from here go to Ornos then on to Mykonos Town, where you can get off at Fabrika and walk to Little Venice, the Old Port, and all of the Chora. At Fabrika, you can also catch a second bus to the New Port (Tourlos Ferry Port), Airport, and the beaches at Platis Gialos, Paradise, and Paraga. Or you can get off at Fabrika and walk to the Old Port to catch a bus to the New Port, 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 14 minutes 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: There is no official taxi stand in Agios Ioannis. The nearest taxi stands are in Mykonos Town at Fabrika and the Old Port, so they are not very practical to reach, plus there is almost always a wait at either taxi stand as there are only 30 taxis serving the entire island. Instead, book a taxi ahead to avoid the wait, and have the driver meet you directly at the hotel. There will be a surcharge for advanced reservations (about €5) and for carrying luggage, usually just a couple of euros. A taxi from the airport or ferry port to Anax Resort & Spa should be about €20 to €25. The hotel also offers complimentary arrival and departure transportation, as well as free shuttles to Ornos and Agios Ioannis Beaches.
• 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. A one-beach pass is €10, while 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.

Anax Resort & Spa – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• Hippie Fish: Trendy restaurant and beach club with chill-out music and a Greek-Mediterranean menu that spotlights local seafood. 10-minute walk.
• Pili Restaurant: Casual restaurant and beach club, serving upscale Greek food and wine in the main restaurant and light bites and fruity cocktails on the beach. 10-minute walk.
• Bellissimo Pizza e Pasta: Delicious, affordable, Italian restaurant for outstanding pizza and pasta with plenty of vegetarian, kid-friendly, and gluten free ooptions. Classic dishes along with a few surprising combinations. 10-minute walk.
• Vasilikos Bar Restaurant: Friendly, traditional Greek taverna with an emphasis on local dishes and Greek wines. 10-minute walk.
• Beefbar: Fine dining steakhouse with a refined menu of top-quality beef and super fresh fish. Elegant in its simplicity. 11-minute walk.

Best Nearby Cafes

• Bowl Restaurant Café: Health-conscious menu of fresh, seasonal, local, organic juices, and superfoods. Mostly vegan, veggie, and gluten-free options with a handful of light fish and meat dishes. 17-minute walk.
• Choriatiko: Part of a well-known Greek bakery chain, Choriatiko is open 24-hours a day with a great selection of bread, pastries, sandwiches, coffee, and sweets. 17-minute walk.

Nearby Attractions

• Water Taxi: The water taxi is an awesome way to visit several spectacular beaches in one go. The boat leaves from Ornos Beach and stops at Platis Gialos, Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia Beaches. Boats run hourly from Ornos from 10 am to 4 pm and return hourly beginning at Elia Beach from 11:45 am to 5:45 pm. The rate is €10 for a one-beach pass and €20 for an all-day, all-beach pass. 10-minute walk. When you reach Ornos Beach, just walk across the beach to the east side to find the water taxi (route not shown on map, but it’s faster)
• Mykonos Farmers: Wonderful dairy offering tours of the facilities and a variety of cheesemaking classes. 9-minute drive.
• Mykonos Town aka Chora: The capital of the island, the Chora is a charming tangle of pedestrian streets, historic sights, restaurants, bars, and shops. The best-known attractions are the 17th-century Windmills of Kato Mili, part of an old flour mill. The windmills mark the start of the Little Venice neighborhood, a collection of lively bars and restaurants with sunset views all set in converted 19th-century fishing houses. The oldest landmark is Paraportiani Orthodox Church: a complex of 5 churches built over the course of 2 centuries beginning in 1425. Paraportiani separates Little Venice from the Old Port, a beautiful waterfront neighborhood with restaurants, bars, shops, and a beach, plus the ferry to Delos Island. All of the attractions, dining, shops, and nightlife are about 8 to 11 minutes’ drive from the hotel.
• 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 in Mykonos Town. 12-minute drive.

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• Diakoftis Mini Market: Mini market with a good variety of products, including wine, beer, beverages, sun care, and more. Delivery available. 10-minute walk.
• AB Food Market: Well-stocked grocery store with a good selection of pantry staples, beer, wine, bread, and more. Convenient parking, too. 18-minute walk.
• Great Greek Earth: Wonderful little shop selling fresh fruits and veggies and affordable prices. Stop here for produce before heading to the main market for groceries. 19-minute walk.

Anax Resort & Spa – The Hotel

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