LOCATION:  Think Captain Corelli, Zorba or Mamma Mia (but only for the scenery) and Mykonos is the idyllic Aegean island.  Where else do you know that has a pelican, Petros, as its official mascot, appearing by the tables in whichever restaurant he chooses?  It is the closest island to Athens, making it a short hop by plane or sea.  It’s a mere 33 square miles with around 10,000 inhabitants. The Grace stands just above the town on a meandering hill above the beach at Agios Stefanos.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:  It takes less than the ten minute journey from the airport to realise there are only two colours here,  the white of the houses and the blue of the sea. Inside the hotel everything is white. It is a multi-layered design masterpiece with rooms going off in all directions and the restaurant and pool squeezed into the only large open space. But what it might lack in space it makes up for in style. Everything – décor, guests, staff –is uber cool.

THE FACTS: Three VIP and three family suites, junior suites and deluxe suites give the complete range of rooms. The first room we stayed in was barely big enough for the king size bed, the second was similarly small but had a large balcony with its own plunge pool, doubling the space.  Rooms are separated by bougainvillea-covered fences and all have amazing views. There is a small gym, a single room for massages and the pool restaurant serves breakfast lunch and dinner but manages to change appearance for each. There is also a comfy lounge /library with books you actually want to read. 

A GOOD BASE FOR:  Lazing, boat trips, wandering around the harbour, eating traditional food, sitting in waterfront cafes watching the sunset.  The town has its Little Venice at the far end of the town and the narrow streets are packed with restaurants bars and shops. 

WOW: The absolute peace on the white ‘double bed’  loungers overlooking the sea .

HOW MUCH:  From 250 Euros to 1,100 Euros a night depending on the time of year.mykonosgrace.com