Review: Mykonos Theoxenia, a Member of Design Hotels
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Mykonos Theoxenia, a Member of Design Hotels, distinguishes itself through its genuine character, in contrast to other hotels that have streamlined their services to appeal to mass tourism.
Booking
Under the terms and conditions of the Marriott Bonvoy program, Design Hotels brand hotels are a collection of independent hotels that are not required to offer certain benefits despite a high status with the chain (breakfasts, upgrades, etc.). Since I have Titanium status and my wife has Gold status with this program, we used her account to book a room at this hotel. In October, at the very end of the tourist season on the island of Mykonos, we booked a basic room for 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, which included a 35,000-point certificate offered by the Amex Marriott Bonvoy credit card and we added 15,000 additional points. This is a good price considering that the posted cost of a room for one night at this hotel on that date was 500 euros.
Arrival
Location
Mykonos Theoxenia, a Member of Design Hotels, offers minibus transportation from the port or airport. In the days leading up to our arrival, the guest relations manager contacted us by email to obtain our flight number and contact details. We took the opportunity to request an upgrade to a suite or, failing that, a room with a nice view, to which we were told that the room assignment would be made on site… After landing, I turned off airplane mode on my cell phone to find that our driver was on his way. Less than fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the hotel.
For guests preferring to rent a car, the hotel offers free parking. Upon arrival, we were lucky enough to encounter an impressive and emblematic animal of the island of Mykonos.
Many Marriott accommodation options are available in Mykonos, for example the Myconian Avaton, Mykonos, a Member of Design Hotels and the O by Myconian, Mykonos, a Member of Design Hotels among others.
Check-in and Lobby
Having been built in 1960 and considered part of the architectural heritage of the island of Mykonos, the hotel is not a single building but a maze of buildings of various sizes identified by Greek letters. The reception building, identified by the Greek letter Alfa, has nothing to do with the ostentatious luxury of typical five-star hotel lobbies. It is simple, but warm and functional.
Since the check-in counter was busy upon our arrival, the concierge, Nikos, had us take a seat in the lobby lounge. He offered us a non-alcoholic refreshment and asked us to hand over our passports. He returned less than five minutes later with a payment terminal to take a deposit on our credit card. He briefly explained the basics of the hotel, confirmed that breakfast is offered to all guests at the hotel restaurant (regardless of status with the hotel chain), and then escorted us to our room. Our luggage was delivered less than five minutes later.
Bedroom
The room assigned to us, number 405, is a superior beachfront room with a queen bed located in the Omega building. Very close to the Alfa building, the restaurant and the pool were just a few steps away. It is small but comfortable, and rather simple and beige. Nevertheless, it is very functional with storage at the entrance and a long counter serving as a desk space. Its bathroom features a huge shower. However, its greatest asset is its loggia, which offers a breathtaking sunset. Fortunately, we arrived at exactly the right time to admire it.
As a welcome gift, Nikos had taken care to place a bottle of prosecco in the room along with freshly cut fruits presented under a glass dome, and a personalized handwritten card.
Restaurant
The restaurant of the Mykonos Theoxenia, a Member of Design Hotels, Apanemi, is open every day from 7 AM to 11 PM and has its own building. Breakfast is offered to hotel guests, but it is also possible to come for lunch and dinner.
The hotel also features the Koukoul Bar, a bar near the pool, open from 11 AM to 6 PM. While sitting on lounge chairs by the pool, the bar employee offered us a bottle of iced water; a nice touch.
Breakfast
Breakfast is offered to hotel guests from 7 AM to 11 AM. It consists of a hot and cold buffet featuring Greek specialties and a bread and pastry bar. Unfortunately, we arrived late to the restaurant, so the hot buffet was not very hot anymore. However, everything we ate was absolutely delicious. October mornings are a bit chilly to sit out on the terrace. Fortunately, a few seats are available inside the restaurant, otherwise, a light sweater is necessary.
Other Services
Swimming pool
The Mykonos Theoxenia, a Member of Design Hotels, features a beautiful pool located in the heart of the complex of buildings it comprises. It is very pleasant to lounge there when the sun is at its peak and it is a bit too hot to walk the crowded streets of Chora.
Spa
The hotel’s spa, SO SPA!, offers a multitude of treatments (vibrations, baths, therapeutic circuits, etc.). A massage table and chair are also placed near the pool. We did not use the services offered by the spa during our short stay.
Check-out Formalities
Only a brief stop at the hotel reception to return the keys was necessary before leaving since our reservation was settled with Marriott Bonvoy points. However, we had to make a missing stay request afterward because the elite night credit was not posted to my wife’s account. The day before, we had agreed by email with the guest relations manager that the hotel driver would drop us off at the port, where the driver of our subsequent hotel was to pick us up.
Around the Hotel
The Mykonos Theoxenia, a Member of Design Hotels, is conveniently located right next to the iconic windmills of the island of Mykonos, Little Venice, Chora, and the Fabrika bus station. For two euros, a short bus ride takes you to some of the island’s most popular beaches. We highly recommend the bus, considering the island has at most about thirty taxis with high prices. The same goes for Uber and other private transport services.
The old port is less than a fifteen-minute walk away. A kiosk offers various packages for visiting the archaeological site of the island of Delos (to which an additional 8 euros must be added upon arrival). It is also possible to buy a ticket for the shuttle service to the port (Sea Bus) for 2 euros, from there you can take a ferry for a few hours’ visit to another Cyclades island.
Overall Impression
The service is courteous and efficient. However, its undeniable strength is its location less than a hundred metres from the most beautiful attractions of Mykonos. Its only flaw is that there is no beach nearby. If we return to Mykonos someday, we will try to stay at this hotel again.
It should be noted that the Mykonos Theoxenia, a Member of Design Hotels closes at the end of the tourist season, from mid-October to early May, like most hotels located on the island of Mykonos.
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