Kivotos Hotel in Ornos, Mykonos

Greece › Mykonos › Hotels › Kivotos Review
By Santorini Dave

Essentials
• Location: On a secluded stretch of Ornos Beach, with restaurants and upscale beach clubs nearby.
• Hotel website: kivotoshotels.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22890 24094
• Check prices for Kivotos

The sea-view infinity pools at Kivotos in Ornos.

Hotel Review

Kivotos – Romantic luxury hotel with a private beach, two pools, a full-service spa, and excellent restaurants.

Kivotos offers a magical setting with upscale eclectic suites and villas, all with private terraces, most with stunning sea views, a few with private pools, and 1 with a glass infinity pool. Suites range from a 26 sqm junior to an 80 sqm 2-bedroom; villas are 2 to 3-bedrooms from 120 to 150 sqm. Guests may also stay in Kivotos’ gorgeous wooden schooner with 3 double occupancy cabins. The hotel boasts 2 sea-view pools: the main saltwater infinity pool with a swim-up bar and underwater music, and a smaller freshwater infinity pool with a partial glass front. There’s also a small private beach (more pebbles than sand) with a cabana sitting out on the water used for private dining and massage. Dining is wonderful, with 2 Mediterranean restaurants and a complimentary breakfast buffet, all highlighting local ingredients. Ornos Beach and a handful of restaurants are a short walk away. Guests can book the hotel’s private yacht to tour the island.

See Also

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

Kivotos – Location

• Area: Kivotos is well-located on a secluded stretch of Ornos Beach within a 5-minute walk of the main part of the beach and a 10-minute walk to kitesurfing at Korfos Beach. There are several fantastic restaurants and upscale beach clubs within a 10-minute walk of the hotel, as well as 2 grocery stores and a pharmacy. Kivotos is only a 15-minute walk to the bus stop for Mykonos Town and around a 10-minute walk (via the beach) 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, bus or taxi.It is approximately 7 km from the Mykonos ferry port in Tourlos, and 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 Ornos Beach. The bus from the Airport or New Port to Fabrika should take around 10 minutes, and the bus from Fabrika to Ornos should take about 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. It is about a 15-minute walk (1 km) from the bus stop (much shorter if you cut through the beach, though easier said than done if you’re carrying luggage).
  
  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 Kivotos Mykonos 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, Kivotos offers free parking.
• Handy to: Ornos Beach. Water Taxi to the southern beaches. Korfos Beach.

Kivotos – The Basics

• Ages: The hotel is open to guests of all ages, with plenty of wonderful suites for large families. Guests tend to be couples celebrating a romantic occasion or a birthday.
• Beach: The hotel sits on a private section of Ornos Bay just south of 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 a 10-minute walk (800m) from Kivotos. This is an unorganized beach, so there are no beach clubs, but there are several affordable restaurants very close by.
• View: Most suites and villas offer stunning, east-facing, full sea views over Ornos Bay. Only 6 junior suites have garden views or partial sea views.
• Kitchen: The Hideaway Villa with Infinity Pool has a kitchenette, and Noah’s Luxury Villa with Private Pool and Private Beach includes a full kitchen used by the villa staff.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: All villas include private pools, as do several suite types: Deluxe Suite Sea View with Private Pool, Signature Suite 130 with Private Glass Pool, Mykonos Honeymoon Luxury Suite, and Two Bedroom Suite with Private Pool.
• Parking: Kivotos offers free on-site private parking.
• Extras: 24-hour room service, 24-hour concierge, private beach, wooden sailing yacht (sleeps 6 overnight or hosts up to 30 for a day cruise), boutique, chapel, weddings, squash court, art gallery, and meeting/conference rooms.
• When to Book: The hotel 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 24094
• Email: kivotos@kivotosmykonos.com
• Website: kivotoshotels.com

Kivotos – Amenities

• Pool: The hotel offers 2 gorgeous, sea view, infinity pools with attached jacuzzis. The main saltwater pool has a swim-up bar, underwater music, and a glass front with sunbeds perched on the edge. The smaller freshwater infinity pool sits on a higher floor and is surrounded by gardens.
• Spa: Kivotos offers a full-service, holistic spa with a whirlpool and steam room, plus a cabana on the private beach for massage. The spa also has a physiotherapist available on request.
• Fitness Center: The hotel has a small gym with high-quality equipment as well as a squash court. Kivotos also has yoga classes in the mornings and evenings on the deck in front of the private beach.
• For Disabled Guests: The hotel is built on a hill, and each level is connected by stairs with no elevators (except 1 that is inside a private villa). Not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
• For Families: Kivotos is open to guests of all ages. Family-friendly amenities include spacious 2 and 3-bedroom suites and villas with private pools, 2 fantastic shared pools, a private beach, and healthy, delicious options at the restaurants.
• Activities: The hotel offers single or multi-day sailing cruises on their private yacht. The concierge team is happy to arrange any tours and excursions to Delos or Tinos Islands, wine and cultural walking tours, horseback riding, jeep tours, and water sports.

Kivotos – Food and Drink

• Restaurants: La Meduse – The hotel’s signature fine-dining restaurant serves a refined Mediterranean menu that highlights fresh, local ingredients, with an emphasis on seafood. The elegant restaurant offers beautiful views over Ornos Bay. Open in the evenings from 8 pm until 11:30 pm. • Le Pirate – Offers casual, Mediterranean recipes with a twist, served poolside with views over Ornos Bay. Open in the day from 12 pm to 6 pm. • Nero Nero – Offers private, candlelight dining on the beach or on the boat with a menu designed by a 3-time Michelin-starred chef.
• Lounges/Bars: Del Mar Bar is the swim-up bar in the main pool, serving classic and signature cocktails all day from 12 pm to 7 pm. • K Bar – Offers an upscale bar experience with an extensive selection of fine wines, champagnes, perfectly mixed cocktails, and cigars. The bar sits on a covered terrace overlooking Ornos Bay. Open from 8 pm to 12 am.
• Breakfast: A complimentary buffet breakfast is served every morning from 8 am to 11 am in La Meduse. Greek and international selections are available with healthy or indulgent options, great coffee, and fresh juices.
• Room Service: Available 24 hours a day.

Kivotos – Rooms

• Room Types: Junior Suite • Junior Suite with Sea View • Deluxe Suite with Sea View • Suite with Pool • Deluxe Suite Sea View with Private Pool • Kivotos Signature Suite 130 with Private Glass Pool • Mykonos Honeymoon Luxury Suite with Hot Tub • Kivotos Two Bedroom Suite with Sea View • Two Bedroom Suite with Pool • Infinity Villa with Private Pool • Hideaway Villa with Infinity Private Pool • Noah’s Waterfront Villa with Private Pool & Private Beach
• 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: Every room is stellar, but the best suites are the Kivotos Signature Suite 130 with Private Glass Pool (for couples) and the Two Bedroom Suite with Private Pool (for families or groups). The Kivotos Signature Suite is the most romantic suite, offering 60 sqm of space, fresh flowers and fruits daily, turndown service in the evenings, jetted tub, and stunning glass-front infinity pool with sweeping sea views. The Two Bedrooms Suite sleeps 5 and offers 80 sqm of space, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, a stunning free-form pool, and a lovely outdoor terrace.
• For Families: Kivotos is open to guests of all ages. Family-friendly amenities include spacious 2 and 3-bedroom suites and villas with private pools, 2 fantastic shared pools, a private beach, and healthy, delicious options at the restaurants. The best rooms for families include the Two Bedroom Suite mentioned above and the Hideaway Villa and Noah’s Waterfront Villa. The Hideaway Villa sleeps up to 5 over 130 sqm of space with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a living room, and a large terrace with a private infinity pool just above the sea. Noah’s Waterfront Villa is the largest on-site, sleeping up to 7 and spread over 150 sqm and 3 stories. The villa offers 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a full kitchen, jacuzzi tub, sauna, and an elevator. Its indoor/outdoor pool is heated, and there is a private beach area in front.

Kivotos – Local Transport

• Walking: Kivotos is in between 2 beaches, Ornos Beach and Korfos Beach. The hotel overlooks Ornos Beach to the south, about 400m to the main beachfront; Korfos Beach is to the north about 800m away. 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 Kivotos is about 1 km 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 airport or ferry port to Kivotos 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.

Kivotos – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• Kostantis Restaurant: Kostantis serves flavorful breakfast, lunch, and dinner with especially great Greek seafood, along with staples like burgers. On Ornos beach.
• Kuzina: Upscale beach club and restaurant serving a Mediterranean menu paired with sushi. Great beach, cocktails, and DJs. Just beyond Kostantis via the beach.
• 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. Toward the eastern end of Ornos beach.
• 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.
• Buddha Bar Beach: Luxury beach club and restaurant serving a Mediterranean-Asian fusion menu and signature cocktails while world-class DJs spin eclectic music.
• 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

• Optique Boutique: Stylish frames and sunglasses shop with a staff that excels at matching up shoppers with their most flattering shapes.
• 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 4 km away, one for men and one for women.
• 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

• 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.
• 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. Much nearer if walking across the beach.
• 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 6 to 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.

Kivotos – The Hotel

Arriving at Kivotos, enter the gate by the purple door.

The exterior of Kivotos is done in traditional Cycladic style with whitewashed walls, boxy architecture, and a hearty garden. The doorway opens up to the lobby.

The lobby features contemporary, Cycladic design with recessed, color lighting and handsculpted archways, decorated with eclectic, colorful vintage pieces.

A Grecian mural in the stairway next to the lobby.

Near the lobby, guests will also find the delicious, complimentary breakfast buffet from 8 to 11 every morning in La Meduse restaurant.

Le Meduse is the hotel’s signature fine dining restaurant, serving refined Mediterranean dishes. The setting is elegant with views over the Aegean, and the menu features high-quality local ingredients.

Looking down from this floor, you can see the small, quiet pool in the center right, plus 2 private pools in the foreground, and a marble lounge space. The wooden sailboat in the center left belongs to Kivotos and is available for overnight stays, single or multi-day cruises, or candlelight dining.

Downstairs is the main floor of the hotel with a little pathway leading to the pools, beach, spa, and restaurant. The wall is built in classic Mykonian style with the triangle shaped pigeon holes and local stones. The white bamboo on the center-right marks the Two Bedroom Suite with Pool.

A peek at the Two Bedroom Suite’s freeform private pool, terraces, and partially-submerged sun loungers.

The main pool sits right above Kivotos’ private beach. This saltwater pool features the swim-up bar Del Mar (seen on the right) and underwater music. There is a row of glass sun loungers on the left overlooking the beach and Ornos Bay. The archway to the right of the 2 umbrellas leads to the spa and gym.

A better look at Del Mar Bar.

Facing the hotel from the main pool. The Kivotos Signature Suite 130 with Glass Pool is on the upper floor on the right.

Inside the little gym.

The nail area of the spa.

Overview of the main floor and saltwater pool, with a better look at the glass sun loungers and the wooden schooner on the right and the pool bar on the left. The spa and gym are behind the pool and out of the shot. The collection of umbrellas is Le Pirate restaurant. The beach is out of view here, but the beach cabana for private dining and massage is visible in front of the glass sun beds.

Le Pirate is a casual, beachfront restaurant, serving a Mediterranean menu all day with views over the beach and sea.

View of the beach, boat, and cabana from the deck at Le Pirate.

Kivotos’ beach is narrow and pebbly, but with just enough space for sunbathing and swimming.

View from the beach. The stone building on the right is Noah’s Waterfront Villa, the largest villa of the hotel, featuring 3 bedrooms, a private pool, and a private beach (seen here in the center).

View from the beach facing north. Ornos Beach is in the center, about a 5-minute walk away.

Inside the beach cabana, which can be used for private dining or massage.

View of the Kivoto’s yacht.

A look inside a Junior Suite Sea View, one of the entry level categories. Junior Suites are spacious and well-appointed, with separate living areas and a mix of classical and contemporary Greek style.

Junior Suites have queen-sized beds, sofas, minibars, and espresso machines.

The living room and bedroom of a Junior Suite Sea View.

A stylish bathroom with a 2-person jetted tub and a marble, mosaic wall.

The private, sea view terrace.

View over Ornos Bay from the Junior Suite Sea View’s private terrace.

Seen here is a Suite with Private Pool, one of the mid-tier suites. These 1-bedroom suites offer queen-sized beds.

Another angle on the bedroom. The bathroom is behind.

The bathroom features a jetted tub, marble mosaic wall,…

…and a marble and glass shower.

View of the bedroom from the living room.

The living room and its charming little bar space.

Stepping out onto the terrace, you’ll find the Suite’s private infinity pool.

Turning to the right, there is a partial sea view from this room, though it’s mostly garden and courtyard.

As with many hotels in Mykonos, the word “private” here is a relative term. This is the view into 2 Suites’ private pools from the courtyard. Check rates and availability: Kivotos Mykonos