Royal Myconian Hotel Review: Would I Book It in 2027?

5 days ago

5 min read

Let me tell you about my firsthand experience at Royal Myconian in Mykonos, including my suite, the pool, dining, and the spa.

The first thing that caught my attention at Royal Myconian wasn't the pool or the sea view. It was the design. There's something unexpected about walking into a Mykonos hotel and finding a mix of traditional whitewashed architecture, contemporary furniture, unusual sculptures, and wooden details that almost feel like pieces of art.

The lobby has these beautiful wooden floors, sculptural tables, and large openings toward the sea. Then you discover the pool terrace, and suddenly the whole place feels much bigger. What I especially liked was that the hotel didn't try to look like every other luxury resort on the island. Some of the design choices are quite bold, but they give the place a personality of its own.

Hotel & Design: More Than Just One Resort

One thing that makes Royal Myconian different from most hotels on the island is that you're not really staying at just one hotel. It's part of the Myconian Collection. It's a family-owned hotel group with properties across Mykonos, several overlooking Elia Beach. As a guest, you can also enjoy facilities at other hotels in the collection, including restaurants, pools, and spas, although some require reservations. I think that's a fantastic idea because you can spend your days exploring different properties without having to change hotels.

The Royal itself has plenty to discover. On the pool level, there's a shopping area called Agora, almost like a little boutique row, with clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories. So if you've forgotten something at home, don't worry too much.

And the design keeps changing as you walk around, from warm wood and white interiors to a rather unusual decorative installation that looks almost like a miniature fantasy world.

Location: Above Elia Beach

Royal Myconian sits on the hillside above Elia Beach, with sweeping views of the bay and the Aegean Sea. I particularly liked looking down at the water from the hotel because the colors change throughout the day, from bright turquoise near the shore to a much deeper blue farther out.

The beach itself has soft sand, clear water, and a dedicated area for hotel guests. Getting there couldn't have been easier during my stay. There was a shuttle running between the hotel and the beach literally every five minutes, and I personally never waited more than a minute. That's especially useful because the hotel is built on a hillside, and walking back up in the afternoon heat isn't necessarily what you want to do.

Mykonos Town is about a 25-minute drive away, and the hotel also operates a town shuttle. The trade-off is that you can't simply walk out of the hotel and wander through the streets of Mykonos Town, but if you're coming primarily for the beach and resort experience, I think the Royal's location makes a lot of sense.

Rooms & Suites: Natural Wood & Aegean Views

My suite had a completely different personality from the public areas. The design is quite simple, with white walls, light-colored floors, and a lot of natural wood. The wooden ceiling and the vertical timber panels behind the bed were my favorite details because they made the room feel warmer without overwhelming it.

There was also a sitting area, a desk, and a bathroom with a large counter and two mirrors.

Outside, a small furnished terrace had a table and two chairs, with greenery providing some privacy and a glimpse of the sea beyond. I liked that the outdoor space felt more secluded than an exposed balcony, although the plants also partially blocked the view. If an uninterrupted sea view is important to you, I'd pay attention to the room category when booking.

Royal Myconian also offers larger suites, including options with outdoor hot tubs and private pools, so the accommodation experience can vary quite a bit depending on what you choose.

Pool: Swimming Above the Aegean

I think the pool is one of the hotel's biggest attractions. It's a large, curved seawater pool surrounded by cushioned loungers, umbrellas, and terraces overlooking Elia Bay.

During the day, the combination of turquoise water, white buildings, and the surrounding hills makes it difficult to put your camera away. There's also a swim-up bar, which is a nice touch if you want to spend the afternoon in the water.

What surprised me most, though, was how different the pool looked after dark. The underwater lighting turns the water a striking blue, and with the lights of the surrounding hills in the distance, the whole atmosphere changes. It's worth returning to the pool terrace in the evening, even if you're not planning to swim.

Breakfast: A Taste of Greece

I always pay attention to breakfast at a luxury hotel, and the buffet at Royal certainly offers plenty of variety. What stood out to me was the selection of Greek pastries and sweets. There were trays of flaky pastries, syrup-soaked desserts, small cakes, and several kinds of baklava, along with plenty of other things to try.

The savory selection was extensive, too, with smoked salmon, cold cuts, cheeses, olives, and vegetables preserved in olive oil. I particularly liked seeing so many traditional Greek products rather than a buffet made up entirely of the usual international breakfast items. There's also fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, nuts, preserves, and eggs prepared to order.

It's the kind of breakfast where you might start with something light and then find yourself going back to look at the pastries. My advice would be to leave yourself enough time in the morning rather than rushing through it before heading to the beach.

Dining: Greek Food, Music & Traditions

One of the things I wanted to experience at Royal Myconian was Camares, the hotel's Greek restaurant. Now, I have to say that the setting alone makes it worth exploring. It feels very different from the contemporary design elsewhere in the resort. There are stone walls, wooden tables, hanging lanterns, and greenery overhead, creating the atmosphere of a traditional Greek taverna.

The menu focuses on Greek dishes, including fresh fish and familiar local classics, but the restaurant isn't only about the food. Live Greek music is part of the experience, and on every evening there's a traditional celebration with plate smashing. It's a welcome change from the more formal dining experiences you sometimes find at luxury resorts.

Spa & Fitness: Relaxation & Wellness

The spa is another part of Royal Myconian that feels quite different from the rest of the hotel. The lighting of the indoor seawater pool creates an almost dreamlike atmosphere. There's also a separate treatment area, and the spa menu includes massages, facials, body treatments, and thalassotherapy using mineral-rich seawater.

I love that the hotel has a proper fitness room rather than just a treadmill tucked into a corner. The gym includes cardio equipment, weight-training machines, and space for a workout.

The spa facilities are certainly more visually distinctive than the gym, but having both is useful if you want to maintain your exercise routine while traveling. And if you're staying longer, the wider Myconian Collection gives you additional wellness facilities to explore.

Would I Book It Again?

What would bring me back to Royal Myconian is the combination of Elia Beach, the pool, and the freedom to explore the other hotels in the Myconian Collection. That last feature really makes a difference because you have more dining, swimming, and wellness options than you'd normally expect from a single hotel. I also think the resort is particularly well suited to couples and families who want to spend most of their time relaxing by the water rather than going out in Mykonos Town every day.

The location is less convenient if you want to walk to restaurants, shops, and nightlife every evening. But if I were planning another beach-focused stay in Mykonos, Royal Myconian would certainly be on my shortlist.