Santa Marina Resort & Villas in Ornos, Mykonos

Greece › Mykonos › Hotels › Santa Marina Resort and Villas Review
By Santorini Dave

Essentials
• Location: Hilltop Ornos location, a 6-minute walk from the beach.
• Hotel website: santa-marina.gr
• Hotel phone: +30 22890 23220
• Check prices for Santa Marina Resort and Villas

The beautiful view over Ornos Beach from Santa Marina Resort & Villas.

Santa Marina Resort and Villas – Ultra-luxury resort in Ornos Bay with a beautiful semi-private beach, two pools, a playground, and an amazing spa.

Refined, family-friendly Santa Marina offers a wide range of spacious rooms, suites, and villas spread across a hillside with stunning sea views throughout the property. The resort offers two pools: one for adults only and one with an attached kids’ pool for families. Dining and drinks are fantastic at the beach or poolside, while room service is available around the clock. All rooms are elegantly appointed and feature private terraces; top category suites add private outdoor pools and sleep up to four. Most villas have private pools, and the largest villa sleeps up to ten in its five bedrooms. The restaurants of Ornos are a short walk away, and there is a regular free shuttle into Mykonos Town. If you have young children, this is the best hotel on Mykonos.

See Also

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

Santa Marina Resort and Villas – Location

• Area: Santa Marina is well-located in Ornos, within a 5-minute walk of the main part of the beach and a 15-minute walk to kitesurfing at 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 just a 15-minute walk away. Santa Marina is only a 10-minute walk to the bus stop for Mykonos Town (though the hotel offers a free shuttle service too), and a short 5-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, 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 Beach should take another 10 minutes. The total trip should be under an hour, depending on how long you wait at Fabrika for the Ornos Beach 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. Santa Marina Resort is just a 10-minute walk (750m) 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 Santa Marina will cost roughly €20 to €25. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $38 (€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 resort, Santa Marina offers free parking.
• Handy to: Ornos Beach. Water taxi to the southern beaches. Korfos Beach.

Santa Marina Resort and Villas – The Basics

• Ages: The hotel is open to guests of all ages. Guests tend to be couples celebrating a romantic occasion or a birthday.
• Beach: The hotel sits on a private section 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 kilometer north from Santa Marina. This is an unorganized beach, so there are no beach clubs, but there are several affordable restaurants very close by.
• View: 106 rooms, suites, and villas have full sea views over Ornos Bay. 8 rooms have partial sea views.
• Kitchen: All villas have full kitchens.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Private pools or jacuzzis are included in the top category suites (Deluxe Seaview Suites with Pool, Two Bedroom Deluxe Seaview Suites with Pool, and the Mykonian Cottage). Of the 12 villas, 10 include private pools and 2 include jacuzzis.
• Parking: The resort offers free parking on site.
• Extras: 24-hour reception, 24-hour concierge, 24-hour room service, private beach, private marina, helipad, business center, playground, floodlit tennis court with coach, babysitting, boutique, jewelry store, sundry shop, scuba diving, private chapel, weddings, twice-daily maid service.
• 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. Be advised that Santa Marina requires a 2-night minimum stay in the low season and a 5-night minimum (7 for villas) in the high season.
• How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
• Phone: +30 22890 23220
• Email: info@santa-marina.gr
• Website: santa-marina.gr

Santa Marina Resort and Villas – Amenities

• Pool: The hotel features 2 infinity pools, both with poolside food and beverage service. The Colonial Pool is family-friendly with an attached kids pool and whirlpool near the playground. The Oasis Pool is a saltwater pool for adults only.
• Spa: Ginkgo Spa is a luxe, full-service spa and salon with a hammam, sauna, and 5 treatment rooms.
• Fitness Center: The resort offers a fantastic gym with high-end, modern equipment.
• For Disabled Guests: This is a very spread-out resort with lots of stairs. Though there are some elevators, access to many rooms and the facilities is not always possible without using stairs. This hotel is not suitable for guests with moderate to severe mobility issues, but those with mild issues may opt to book a ground floor room to limit the need for stairs.
• For Families: Santa Marina is open to guests of all ages. Family amenities include a family pool, kids’ pool, playground, babysitting, 24-hour room service, and direct beach access. The resort offers several spacious 2-bedroom suites and 2 to 5-bedroom villas which can sleep large families and groups up to 10.
• Activities: Their beachfront restaurant Buddha-Bar Beach regularly hosts DJs and music events in the high season. Santa Marina also offers water sports equipment and can arrange scuba diving and yacht tours departing from their private marina. The concierge team is always happy to arrange tours and excursions, including day trips to the ruins of Delos and helicopter day trips to nearby islands.

Santa Marina Resort and Villas – Food and Drink

• Restaurants: Buddha-Bar Beach Club – Open for lunch, dinner, and cocktails, serving a Mediterranean-Asian fusion menu with stellar seafood, sushi, and refreshing signature drinks. Nightly DJs spin eclectic, chilled out world music beats until around 1 am. This is a popular sunset spot open to the public, so reservations are recommended. • Colonial Pool Restaurant and Bar – All-day restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes along with a few international favorites like pizzas and burgers. A kids’ menu is available, too. Located next to the family and kids’ pools and the playground.
• Lounges/Bars: Oasis Pool and Lounge – Located in the adults-only pool area and offers excellent cocktails, wines, and beers supplemented by light fare from Buddha-Bar and Colonial. This lounge is open all day until around sunset. • The Santa Marina Beach Bar – Serves cocktails and light snacks on the beachfront until around sunset. Food is a simple but delicious selection from Buddha-Bar.
• Breakfast: The hotel offers an outstanding breakfast buffet, including mimosas and bloody marys, that can be booked with the room. Colonial also offers an à la carte breakfast for an additional rate if booking the room separately.
• Room Service: Available 24 hours a day

Santa Marina Resort and Villas – Rooms

• Room Types: Resort Rooms • Superior Seaview Rooms• Deluxe Seaview Rooms • Akro Rooms • Resort Seaview Suites • Luxury Seaview Suite • Mykonian Cottage • The Windmill • Family Retreat Seaview Suite • Luxury Seaview Suite with Private Pool • Two Bedroom Luxury Seaview Suite with Private Pool • 2 Bedroom Villa with Jacuzzi (Villa Coral) • 2 Bedroom Villa with Private Pool (Villa Crystal) • 3 Bedroom Villa (Villa Topaz) • 3 Bedroom Villa with Private Pool (Villas Pearl, Emerald, Sapphire, and Lapis Lazuli) • 4 Bedroom Villa with Pool (Villas Amethyst, Diamond, Tanzanite, and Ruby) • 5 Bedroom Villa with Pool (Villa Turquoise)
• 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 Deluxe Seaview Suite with Pool. These spacious 60 sqm suites offer 1 bedroom with a king-sized bed, deep soaking tubs, oversized rainfall showers, spectacular Aegean Sea views, and private pools on terraces or in gardens.
• For Families: Santa Marina is open to guests of all ages. Family amenities include family and kids’ pools, a playground, babysitting, and a pristine, private, sandy, and shallow beach. The best options for families are either the Two Bedroom Seaview Suite with Pool (for a family of 4) or any of the villas for larger groups or longer stays. Two Bedroom Suites with Pools offer 95 sqm of space with king-sized master bedrooms and second bedrooms with 2 single beds. Both bedrooms include ensuite bathrooms. The suite boasts a garden with an infinity pool overlooking the sea. Villas vary in size, anywhere from 2 to 5-bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, plus full kitchens, butler service, and more privacy, as the villas are separate from the main hotel area. All villas feature gardens, 1 has an outdoor jacuzzi, and 10 have outdoor pools.

Santa Marina Resort and Villas – Local Transport

• Walking: Santa Marina is in between 2 beaches, Ornos Beach and Korfos Beach. The hotel overlooks Ornos Beach to the south, about 500m to the main beachfront; Korfos Beach is to the north about a 15-minute walk (1.1km) 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 Santa Marina is about 750m 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 Santa Marina 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.

Santa Marina Resort and Villas – 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.
• Kostantis Restaurant: Kostantis serves flavorful breakfast, lunch, and dinner with especially great Greek seafood, along with staples like burgers. Just past Kuzina via the 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.
• 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 & 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

• 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.
• 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.

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. The closest 2 (1 for men, 1 for women) are in Mykonos Town, 4 km away.
• 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 9 to 12-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 (4km).

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.

Santa Marina Resort and Villas – The Hotel

Arriving at Santa Marina is like pulling up to a beautiful fortress. The architecture fuses traditional Mykonian whitewashed cubes with local stones that help the building blend with the landscape.

The reception desk is open 24 hours a day. Inside, the hotel is sleek and contemporary with white walls, soft lighting, wood floors, and a neutral palette. This style is repeated throughout the property.

Santa Marina boasts one of the best spas in Mykonos, with a full menu of holistic treatments.

The spa features a gorgeous marble and mosaic tile hammam…

…along with a sauna…

…and 5 treatment rooms.

Also inside is the hotel’s Reef Boutique, which offers mostly women’s clothing and accessories,…

…a jewelry store,…

…and a sundry shop with beach essentials, snacks, and a few souvenirs.

Stepping outside, guests will find Santa Marina’s 2 infinity pools. Seen here is the family-friendly, freshwater pool at Colonial Restaurant.

The Colonial pool has an attached jacuzzi and (out of the frame) a kids’ pool overlooking Ornos Bay and the private marina.

The pool is served by Colonial Restaurant, offering all-day meals, superb cocktails, and a kids’ menu.

A lovely covered playground is adjacent to the Colonial Pool and Restaurant, open to ages 3 and up.

The second infinity pool, an adults-only saltwater pool, is at Oasis Lounge, which serves light bites and cocktails throughout the day.

The Oasis Pool and Lounge offer stunning sea views and stylish lounge spaces.

Heading downhill, there is a garden path to the beach. Santa Marina has the greenest, most well-kept gardens in Mykonos.

Following the path leads to Buddha-Bar Beach, a stylish Greek and Asian fusion restaurant overlooking the hotel’s private beach. This restaurant is open to the public and is popular for sunsets and nightly DJs, so reservations are recommended.

Buddha-Bar fronts Santa Marina’s private beach and marina.

Many guests arrive and depart by yacht and use the marina here.

Though most guests here are couples, this is an amazing beach for families with young children. The sand is soft and the water is wave-less and shallow for a long way out.

A higher angle to show off the row of cabanas jutting into the sea.

The beach is served by the Beach Bar, featuring refreshing cocktails and a snack menu.

Santa Marina offers a huge range of rooms, suites, and villas. Seen here is a Superior Room, the entry-level type.

Superior Rooms offer 20 sqm of space with stylish, bespoke décor.

Opposite view of the room.

Bathrooms feature a contemporary style with glass showers.

This Superior Room offers a small balcony with a full sea view.

A closer look at the sea view.

Some of Santa Marina’s Superior Rooms offer a partial sea view, which may look something like this. Still gorgeous.

One of the top-tier suites is the Deluxe Seaview Suite with Pool. Seen here is the 1-bedroom version of that suite type.

These spacious suites spread over 60 sqm with a living room that can be partitioned off.

A closer look at the Deluxe Seaview Suite bedroom.

The suites offer large bathrooms with glass showers, soaking tubs, and dual vanities.

The highlight is the private pool in a garden setting overlooking the sea.

This particular suite is exceptionally private. Not all suites have walls or hedges this high. Check rates and availability: Santa Marina Resort & Villas