Kensho Ornos Hotel in Mykonos

Greece › Mykonos › Hotels › Kensho Ornos Review
By Santorini Dave

Essentials
• Location: In Ornos, within a few minutes’ walk of Ornos and Korfos Beaches.
• Hotel website: kenshomykonos.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22890 29001
• Check prices for Kensho Ornos

The beautifully-landscaped pool at Kensho Ornos in Ornos.

Hotel Review

Kensho Ornos – Award-winning, luxury boutique hotel with two pools, an oversized rooftop jacuzzi, a stellar restaurant and bar, and a full-service spa.

Kensho Ornos offers thirty-five elegant rooms and suites, most with outdoor jacuzzis or plunge pools, and some with soaking tubs. The hotel boasts several water features, including an infinity pool overlooking Ornos Beach, a pool-sized hot tub on the roof with sea views, a lap pool in the outdoor gym, and a cave-style jacuzzi in the spa. Food is a major highlight here, with its signature restaurant serving an avant-garde Greek and Cretan dinner menu, plus a rich Greek all-day menu, along with its inspired cocktail and wine bar. The spa offers incredible holistic treatments with outstanding facilities. Service and location are top-notch.

See Also

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

Kensho Ornos – Location

• Area: Kensho Ornos is well-located in Ornos, within a 3-minute walk to Ornos Beach and a 7-minute walk to Korfos Beach. There are several fantastic restaurants and upscale beach clubs within a 3 to 10-minute walk of the hotel, as well as 2 grocery stores and a pharmacy. Kensho Ornos is only a 5-minute walk to the bus stop for Mykonos Town and a short 4-minute walk to the Water Taxi connecting Ornos Beach to many of Mykonos’ best beaches, including as far east as Elia Beach.
• How to Get There: The hotel is located in Ornos on a side road overlooking the beach, easy to find by car, taxi or bus. It is approximately 7 km from the Mykonos ferry port in Tourlos, and 5km 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 Ornos Beach. In Ornos, Kensho Ornos is just 400m from the bus stop. The bus from the Airport or New Port to Fabrika should take around 10 minutes, and the bus from Fabrika to Ornos should take another 10 minutes. The total trip should be under an hour, depending on how long you wait at Fabrika for the Ornos bus, and cost about €4 in total. Tickets are purchased on the bus or from a manned kiosk at the terminal, in cash only. Buses typically run about every 30 minutes during summer peak hours and less frequently at night, in early morning, and in winter.
  
  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 Kensho Ornos will cost roughly €20 to €25. 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. On arrival at the hotel, Kensho Ornos offers free parking.
• Handy to: Ornos Beach. Water Taxi to the southern beaches. Korfos Beach.

Kensho Ornos – The Basics

• Ages: The hotel is open to guests of all ages. Guests tend to be couples between 25 and 40 years old, generally from the US, UK, Italy, or the Middle East.
• Beach: Kensho Ornos sits between 2 beaches: Ornos and Korfos. The hotel overlooks Ornos Beach, one of the island’s best and most popular beaches, with golden sand, clear blue water, and plenty of great beach clubs and restaurants. Ornos Beach is the first stop on the Water Taxi route that connects most of the southern beaches: Platis Gialos, Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia beaches. Korfos Beach, the only kitesurfing beach in Mykonos, is about 500m north from Kensho Ornos. This is an unorganized beach, so there are no beach clubs, but there are several affordable restaurants very close by.
• View: Most rooms offer sea views or partial sea views. The entry-level Zen Rooms are the only interior rooms with no views.
• Kitchen: The private Kensho Villa Ornos offers a fully equipped kitchen.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Most rooms and suites feature a jacuzzi or private pool. Deluxe Rooms have outdoor jacuzzis or plunge pools, Junior Suites and Design Suites have outdoor jacuzzis, and VIP Junior Suites have plunge pools.
• Parking: The hotel offers free parking onsite.
• Extras: 24-hour reception, 24-hour room service, 24-hour concierge, twice daily maid service, turndown service, complimentary shuttle to and from Mykonos Town, nightly DJs, singer on Sundays, welcome drinks, baby cots and rollaway beds, pillow menu, Hermes bath amenities, music and culinary events, weddings, helicopter/private jet transfers.
• When to Book: Kensho Ornos is open from mid-April through late 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 29001, +30 22890 78788
• Email: info@kenshomykonos.com, reservations@kenshomykonos.com
• Website: kenshomykonos.com

Kensho Ornos – Amenities

• Pool: Kensho Ornos has 2 pools on-site: an infinity pool with views toward Ornos Beach and a lap pool in the outdoor gym. There is also a rooftop jacuzzi that’s almost the size of the main pool.
• Spa: The hotel offers a full-service spa and salon, with an extensive treatment menu and amazing facilities, including an indoor jacuzzi, hammam, tropical rain beds, and heat/color/sound therapy beds.
• Fitness Center: Kensho Ornos offers an indoor and an outdoor gym with a lap pool, daily classes, and personal trainers available.
• For Disabled Guests: This hotel is spread out over a few floors connected by stairs with no elevators. Not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
• For Families: Kensho Ornos is open to guests of all ages. Family amenities include baby cribs and rollaway beds. However, only the VIP Junior Suite is suitable for up to 3 guests. Larger families will need to book an extra room.
• Activities: The hotel features nightly DJs, weekly singers on Sundays, plus special music and culinary events throughout the season. The concierge team is happy to arrange any off-site excursions, including tours of Delos, cooking classes, helicopter tours, and more.

Kensho Ornos – Food and Drink

• Restaurants: Kensho Fine Dining Restaurant – Their multi-award-winning signature restaurant serves 6 to 9-course dinners featuring creative, contemporary Greek and Cretan plates made with local, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant features a carefully curated wine list with rare Greek and international bottles selected to pair precisely with the changing menus. It offers 2 nightly seatings at 8 pm or 9:30 pm, and is open to the public. Reservations required. • Kensho Restaurant – Serves a delicious, all-day menu from noon until midnight with local, Greek favorites for lunch, snacks, and dinner.
• Lounge/Bar: Kensho Bar and Sunset Lounge is open almost all day from 7:30 am until 2 am, serving up refreshing signature and classic cocktails alongside exceptional wines, bubblies, and beers.
• Breakfast: A complimentary Greek and Cretan breakfast buffet is available every morning from 7:30 am until 11:30 am. The selection is extensive and beautifully presented with a variety of pastries, fruits, yogurts, hot and cold dishes, and eggs made to order. Excellent coffee, fresh-squeezed juice, and Prosecco is included.
• Room Service: Available 24 hours.

Kensho Ornos – Rooms

• Room Types: Zen Rooms • Deluxe Room with Outdoor Hot Tub • Deluxe Room with Plunge Pool • Junior Suite with Outdoor Hot Tub • VIP Junior Suite with Plunge Pool • Design Suite with Sea View and Outdoor Hot Tub • Vista Suite with Panoramic Views
• 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 room for couples is the Design Suite. The stunning suite includes an outdoor jacuzzi, expansive sea views, and loads of interior space. This stylish room features a king-sized bed, a freestandign soaking tub, and dual vanities.
• For Families: Kensho is open to guests of all ages. Family amenities include baby cots and rollaway beds. Only the VIP Junior Suite with Outdoor Pool is large enough to sleep families of up to 3. Larger families will need to book a second room. The VIP Junior Suites feature an open plan layout with 40 sqm of interior space, a king-sized bed, single-sized sofa bed, soaking tub, and a private, 14 sqm outdoor pool.

Kensho Ornos – Local Transport

• Walking: Kensho Ornos is in between 2 beaches, Ornos Beach and Korfos Beach. The hotel overlooks Ornos Beach to the south, about 250m to the shore; Korfos Beach is about 500m to the north. 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 popular for being 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 Kensho Ornos is about a 400m away, near the center of Ornos Beach. Buses from here go 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 Agios Ioannis, 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 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: There is no official taxi stand in Ornos. 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 port or airport airport to Kensho Ornos should be about €20 to €25.
• 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.

Kensho Ornos – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• 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.
• Kuzina: Upscale beach club and restaurant serving a Mediterranean menu paired with sushi. Great beach, cocktails, and DJs.
• Markos Falafel: Relaxed Lebanese-Greek restaurant serving vegan, vegetarian, and meat dishes at great prices. The best falafel, shawarma, and souvlaki in Mykonos, and probably the cheapest beer.
• Kostantis Restaurant: Kostantis serves flavorful breakfast, lunch, and dinner with especially great Greek seafood, along with staples like burgers.
• Buddha-Bar Beach: Luxury beach club and restaurant serving a Mediterranean-Asian fusion menu and signature cocktails while world-class DJs spin eclectic music.
• Andreas & Maria: Maybe the last truly authentic taverna on the island, this restaurant offers excellent food, awesome cheap wine, and a warm, family atmosphere.
• 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.

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• 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.
• 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.
• 54 Cocktail Bar and 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.
• Mykonos Brewing Company: The island’s only brewery, offering craft beer tastings in their little tap room Mondays through Saturdays. Tours are by appointment and only €5 per person.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.

Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops

• 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 3 km 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.
• Nammos Village: Luxury mall at Psarou Beach with high-end fashion and accessories from Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and more, plus a spa, supervised playground, and cafe (not to be confused with nearby Nammos Restaurant).
• Ilias Lalaounis: Iconic jewelry store offering unique works by the legendary late goldsmith.

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 €20 for an all-day, all-beach pass.
• Korfos Beach: Due north of Ornos Beach, Korfos Beach is the only kite-surfing beach in Mykonos with plenty of wind and waves throughout most of the summer season.
• Mykonos Farmers: Wonderful dairy offering tours of the facilities and a variety of cheesemaking classes.
• 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 10-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. There are a few boat companies offering guided excursions to Delos leaving from Ornos, or you may catch a ferry from the Old Port in Mykonos Town.

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• AB Food Market: Well-stocked grocery store with a good selection of pantry staples, beer, wine, bread, and more. Convenient parking, too.
• Pharmacy: Small, friendly pharmacy for basic needs right in between Great Greek Earth and AB Food Market.
• Great Greek Earth: Great little shop selling fresh fruits and veggies and affordable prices. Stop here for produce before heading to the main market for groceries.

Kensho Ornos – The Hotel

View of Kensho Ornos from the street. The architecture features traditional Mykonian elements with a contemporary flair.

The reception desk is downstairs from the entrance and features white marble, natural stone, traditional pressed concrete, and weathered wood.

Several hotel awards are displayed across from the reception desk above the guest computer. The lobby is directly behind.

The lobby features a minimal design decorated with golden olive trees, the symbol of hospitality.

Past the lobby is Kensho’s infinity pool with views over Ornos Bay at the far end. The pool is surrounded by olive trees and sun loungers. The jacuzzi is on the rooftop of the facing building.

View of the pool from above. The restaurant and bar are behind the pool, and the rooftop jacuzzi is visible on the top left.

This is the panoramic hot tub with plenty of seating and views over Ornos Bay.

View of the Kensho Ornos and the infinity pool from the rooftop jacuzzi…

…and the jacuzzi view over the bay. Ornos Beach is just a 3-minute walk away.

Kensho Fine Dining Restaurant sits behind the pool. The restaurant serves a gourmet tasting menu nightly, featuring the best of Greek and Cretan flavors with perfect wine pairings.

The Kensho Bar and Sunset Lounge is right next to the restaurant. The bar serves an inspired cocktail menu with exclusive blends and classic recipes, exceptional wines and beers, and a casual, all-day menu highlighting local, seasonal ingredients.

The hotel features unique design and décor throughout the property, including this glass and wood table in the Kensho Bar by the pool. The archway and wall behind are made with local, Mykonian stone. The triangular pigeon holes in the walls are a traditional architectural element of Mykonos.

The fitness center consists of a small indoor gym with basic cardio machines and free weights…

…an outdoor gym with daily classes available…

…and a small lap pool.

Inside the hotel is a full-service salon…

…and a holistic spa with treatments for individuals or couples.

The spa is well-equipped with a jacuzzi, tropical rain bed, and heat/sound/light therapy beds…

…with color-changing chromotherapy lights.

The rooms and suites have a breezy feel with lots of sunlight, glass, white color palette, and wood. This is the entrance of a Junior Suite with an Outdoor Hot Tub.

This suite and most others at Kensho Ornos feature an open layout with the shower mostly visible in the main room.

The bathroom features an oversized sink and luxury Hermes amenities. The Junior Suites feature king-sized beds, smart TVs, and tablets in each room.

A different angle of the Junior Suite with its sitting area in the foreground. Here you can see all together: the built-in loveseat and nightstand made with pressed concrete and pale wood, recessed lighting in the walls, light wood floors and molding, and the bespoke wood privacy panels.

Outside there is a generous patio with more seating and a jacuzzi.

A different angle on the jacuzzi with a view of Ornos.

View from inside the jacuzzi of Ornos Bay and Kensho’s infinity pool, panoramic hot tub, and the Sunset Lounge next to the hot tub.

The top suite category is the Vista Suite with Panoramic Views. This spacious, open-plan suite features a king-sized bed, a glass shower, and a hanging chair.

Closer to the bed, the stylish wooden headboard is easier to see. This room features similar furnishings and design as the Junior Suite, with the addition of silver accents and black accents, and without the privacy screens.

The bathroom features a 2-person shower and dual vanities.

On the Vista Suite balcony facing toward Korfos Beach.

Behind the balcony is a private jacuzzi.

On the other side is the balcony facing Ornos Bay. Check rates and availability: Kensho Ornos