Hotel: Cali Mykonos / Stay Date: May 2024, 2 nights / Program: Fora Reserve
Cali Mykonos is a luxury boutique hotel located in the south-eastern part of the island of Mykonos. It offers stunning views of the Aegean Sea away from the bustling Mykonos town. We stayed for two nights in May 2024, which marked the beginning of the season in Mykonos. Overall, we had a wonderful stay. We hope our experience can help you decide if this hotel is the right fit for you.
Fore Reserve Benefits
Before we review the property, a quick note that the hotel can be booked under our exclusive Fora Reserve programme. Booking under the rate, you can receive the following benefits:
- Daily Complimentary breakfast for two
- $100 equivalent food & beverage credit
- One complimentary transfer to a beach club (per room)
- Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary upgrade, subject to availability
- Welcome note from the GM and welcome amenity
Location: Cali Mykonos
Cali Mykonos is situated on the South-East side of the island. Mykonos town and most beach clubs are on the South/South-West side. It is just about 20 mins drive from Mykonos Town, known for its charming streets, boutique shops, and famous windmills. The airport and ferry port are a similar distance away.
The hotel’s elevated position offers breathtaking panoramic views, making it an ideal spot for those looking to relax and take in the natural beauty of the island away from the busy town.
The location of this hotel is definitely a consideration when deciding to stay here or not. It’s not next to most of the touristic location but that can be an advantage as well. Spoiler-alert that the new One & Only is under construction around 50m away from this hotel and the new Four Seasons another couple of hundred metres away. So it sounds like this is THE location to be in Mykonos.
Hotel Entrance & Check-In: Cali Mykonos
We arrived at Mykonos 2 hours ferry from Santorini. We were picked up from the ferry dock by Cali Mykonos in a BMW X5 and we swiftly made our way to the hotel. The drive was comfortable and about 20 mins without much traffic. The views of the Aegean Sea during our drive were stunning.
We were greeted upon arrival by the hotel staff who took our luggage as we waited for our check-in formalities to be completed. While we waited, we were offered an iced lemon drink that was perfect to beat the heat.
They also took a note of any restaurant bookings we’d like to make and any other activities we were interested in. Most importantly, they made a note that we’d like our room’s pool to be kept heated and at the highest possible temperature. Full marks for attention to detail!
The check-in is located right as you enter the hotel. Beyond the reception area, there was a boutique shop on the left and an indoor plunge pool on the right. The gym was on the lower ground floor, a few flight of stairs down on the right.
After we completed the check-in formalities, a buggy came to pick us up to escort us to our room which was a few minutes away. On the way, the staff gave us a quick tour of the property including the restaurants and stunning infinity pool. You can enjoy the views of the Aegean sea as we drove up to our room. If you’re okayay with the slopes, this is easily walkable!
Available Room Types: Cali Mykonos
Cali Mykonos offers a range of luxurious suites and villas, each designed to cater to different preferences and needs. All suite categories offer a heated seawater pool except for the Deluxe Suite and Premium Suite. In total, the property has 40 suites and villas.
Suites
- Deluxe Suite: With no private pool, this room (85 sqm) has both indoor and outdoor terraced space. It is perfect for couples who will be spending more time outdoors and less time relaxing in their rooms
- Deluxe Pool Suite: Similar size to the Deluxe suite (85 sqm) but with a seawater pool, terrace and shower outside. It is perfect for couples/families who want privacy and relax by the pool in their room
- Premium Suite: This is a bigger sized room to the Deluxe suite (100 sqm) with no private pool with a private terrace. This is perfect for small families as it would easily accommodate kids without the space feeling too crammed
- Premium Pool Suite: This is a bigger sized room to the Deluxe Pool suite (110 sqm) with a seawater pool, terrace and shower outside. It is ideal for small families who wish to spend more time relaxing in their room and make use of the pool and terrace
- One-Bedroom Pool Suite: Perfect for families or groups of friends as it accommodates four people (125 sqm). With a separate living room and bedroom, it is much more spacious
- Cali Suite (Two-Bedroom): This is the highest category in the suites with a massive outdoor area (80 sqm) compared to the indoor area (60 sqm) and unparalleled views of the Aegan Sea. It is perfect for honeymoon couples and small families!
Villas
For larger groups and people who want more privacy, Cali has a range of Villas starting from their Grand-One bedroom Villa for up to four guests (150 sqm). They also have two and three-bedroom villas. The largest villa is their Four Bedroom Villa Calliope (1000 sqm) with two living rooms, three seawater pools and four private terraces. This room can accommodate up to ten guests.
Room: Deluxe Pool Suite, Cali Mykonos
Our suite was located on an upward slope halfway through the main reception building and the restaurants/infinity pool that was on the lowest level (closest to the sea). A buggy service was preferred due to a few slopes, although both places were walkable. For those with mobility issues, a buggy should be the preferred way to travel!
Deluxe Pool Suite
When we entered our suite, we found delicious chocolates, wine, a fruit basket, and a personalized letter as our welcome amenity.
The room was spacious with a king-sized bed and a separate bath area. It also had a massive outdoor private terrace with two sun beds, a sofa, and a seawater pool. There were two comfy lounge chairs/sofas right by the entrance.
We liked the fact that they provided a yoga mat. This infact made us do a quick yoga session in the morning by the pool. They also had takeaway tote bags as a memento that I thought was a great touch! This is now our grocery shopping bag 😉
Given that the hotel opened just an year ago, most lights and switches are controlled by a handy panel right by the entrance as well as a mini tablet on the bedside.
I liked the fact that the bathroom was separate to the room. It had a double-sink vanity with a separate toilet and shower area. The one thing none of the rooms in the hotel has is a bathtub. The staff mentioned to me that it is a very common ask by British travellers I wonder why?!
Deluxe Pool Suite: Private Terrace and Seawater Pool
The private terrace and seawater pool was a stand-out overlooking the Aegean Sea. It offers the utmost privacy and serenity. With two sunbeds and a sofa, it is an ideal location to just relax, read a book and take a plunge.
The one thing to note was that, despite daily cleaning, there were insects in the pool that often meant you could not just dip in. When we spoke to the hotel staff about this, they did mention that it was an issue they’re aware of and working on.
The views from the pool were just stunning. We spent a lot of time lounging by the pool just relaxing and enjoying the privacy.
Breakfast
On our way to breakfast the first morning, we also bumped into the owner of the hotel, who stays on-site. It was great to see how hands-on he was and chat with him and know how he keeps trying all the different rooms in the hotel and identifies issues!
The main restaurant served breakfast overlooking the beach and pool. Options for breakfast were mainly an a la carte menu alongside a small selection of bread, pastries, and jams.
Breakfast options were limited and very egg-based. As someone who does not eat eggs, I was limited to Greek yogurt and waffles. On day one the service was really good. However, on day two, the service was really slow, and seemed like they had forgotten about our order. The staff were eager to please but we got the impression that they were still getting the hang of things as it was just the start of the season!
On the second day we had more of the same but ordered some pancakes which were delicious! If staying for more than two days the breakfast can get a bit repetitive.
Dinner: Fine Dining at the Restaurant
The hotel has two main food and beverage outlets. The Fine Dining restaurant and The Lounge Sushi Bar.
We dined at the restaurant on our second evening to experience more of Greek cuisine. I ordered a spinach rissotto and my husband ordered the simple spaghetti. Both of these were delicious. However, I was comparing them to the food at Adami Restaurant in Canaves Ena and it was not as memorable.
We also wanted to try their famous Sushi bar. However, that was not open for the season yet.
Gym in Cali Mykonos
The hotel’s gym was located on a floor below the main reception area. I did visit the gym twice during my stay there. It was quite spacious with a lot of weights, floor space and reformer pilates machines. They also had a gym instructor on site. On my second day, I also had a fun pilates class with the Sales Director of the hotel hosted by the gym instructor.
Infinity Pool and All-Day Dining
Aside from the private pools, the hotel has a separate infinity pool near the restaurants with lounge chairs and a pool bar. The infinity pool overlooks the beach and sea! This is a great place to relax if you’re with a bunch of friends or in a larger group. They also have an all-day menu served here. The pool is not heated due to its size but in the summer the temperature is perfect!
We spent the morning relaxing by the pool and ordered some zucchini chips with tzatziki. The staff also brought us an ice basket with water bottles to keep them cold!
Fun fact: The length of the pool is 130m and this is the longest pool in Mykonos! You can watch our full video of the pool here
Speed-Boat Transfer
The hotel offers speed-boat transfers to Scorpios Beach Club and other beach clubs in the south of the island. We decided to try out this service and it was amazing! As the hotel is located on a hill, we walked quite a few stairs down to get to the yacht. However, it was well worth it!
What a way to make an entry into a beach club in James Bond style. The service works upon request. It ended up being a private transfer (this made it even more fun!) but usually the speed-boat can accommodate up to six people. The drive took about 20 minutes. We admired the stunning coastline of the island and enjoyed the wind!
Private Beach
Just alongside the speed-boat dock, is Cali’s small private beach. As it was still the start of the season, it was still quiet. It is a small beach with about 10 or so loungers. There is a larger beach right next to Cali called Kalafati.
Cali Boutique
There’s not much in terms of boutiques at the property but they do have a small store right next to reception which sells clothing and other merchandise made by local designers. The selection was small but looked very good.
Night View: Cali Mykonos
Conclusion
Staying at Cali Mykonos is a truly luxurious and memorable experience. The hotel’s stunning design and exceptional service make it an ideal choice for those seeking a sophisticated and tranquil retreat on the island of Mykonos. Whether lounging by the pool, enjoying a gourmet meal, or exploring the island, guests are sure to have an unforgettable stay.
Key Standouts
- Provides complimentary semi-private transfers to and from the main town (can be requested via WhatsApp)
- Private beach access
- Semi-private airport transfers
- Offers speed-boat transfer to the beach clubs. What a classy way to arrive at a beach club! Some rates when booked through us can include a one-way complimentary transfer! (Steal deal!)
Digging a bit digger, let’s see who would be the ideal guest for this property…
Who is this for?
- Definitely for couples on a romantic break who want privacy and superb views of the sea
- If you want to be as close to be away from the noise and crowd of Mykonos town and the party scene
- If you want discreet luxury with the option of going into town a few times and occasionally popping into a beach club
- If you are a big group or family, the villas are ideal for having one private space
Who is this not for?
- If you have come to Mykonos for parties, bars, and clubs, staying closer to the main town is a better option
How to Book?
If you wish to receive the same perks as us then, please fill out your details, and we will get back to you!