Mykonos is loud. Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on the island lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The wind howls, the music thumps from every beach club, and the crowds in Chora can make you feel like you're trapped in a beautiful, whitewashed maze.
But then there’s Santa Marina Mykonos.
It’s tucked away on a secluded peninsula in Ornos Bay. It’s the only resort on the entire island that actually owns its beach. That’s not a marketing gimmick; it’s a legal rarity in Greece. While every other "private" beach is technically public property shared with whoever wanders by, Santa Marina is a literal fortress of calm.
The Gilded History of Ornos Bay
The resort didn’t just pop up during the recent luxury boom. It’s been a family affair since Elias Papageorgiou bought the land in the late 1970s. Back then, Mykonos was barely on the map for the global elite. He saw a rocky outcrop and decided to build a sanctuary. Today, his daughter Christiana Papageorgiou keeps the wheels turning.
You can feel that history. It’s not a sterile, corporate Marriott—even though it’s part of the Luxury Collection. It feels like a private estate.
Walking through the lobby, you aren't greeted by cold marble. It’s wood. It’s stone. It’s bamboo. The design philosophy leans heavily into the "Cycladic chic" aesthetic, but it avoids the clichés. No blue shutters here. Instead, it’s a palette of sandy beiges and deep browns that mimic the scorched earth of the island.
The Buddha-Bar Factor
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the giant Buddha statue. Santa Marina Mykonos is home to the world’s first permanent Buddha-Bar Beach.
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Some people find the "chill-out" music genre a bit dated. I get it. But standing on that deck at 7:00 PM with a "White Dragon" cocktail in your hand? It’s hard to be cynical. The DJ starts slow. The sun dips behind the hills of Ornos. The sushi is legitimately world-class—try the spicy tuna crispy rice, though it’ll cost you more than a decent dinner elsewhere.
It’s a scene. It’s where the yachts anchor. You’ll see tenders zipping back and forth from 100-foot boats just to get a table for lunch.
Rooms, Suites, and the Villa Life
There are 114 rooms and suites, plus 13 villas. If you’re staying in a standard room, you’re still getting a sea view. That’s the perk of being on a peninsula; almost everything faces the Aegean.
- The Deluxe Sea View Rooms: These are the "entry-level" spots. They are spacious, roughly 35 square meters. The beds use Simmons mattresses. If you’ve never slept on one, just know you might miss your flight because you won’t want to get up.
- The Suites: Many come with private infinity pools. They use saltwater, which is better for your skin but a bit of a shock if you’re used to chlorine.
- The Villas: This is where the real money stays. The Horizon Villa is a standout. It’s high up on the hill. Total privacy. Personal butler. Kitchens that look like they belong in a design magazine.
The architecture follows the natural slope. This means there are a lot of stairs. A lot. They have a fleet of golf carts to whisk you around, but sometimes you just want to walk. Be prepared for a calf workout if you’re staying in the upper-tier villas.
The Beach Experience (The Real Draw)
The sand at Santa Marina is different. It’s fine. It’s golden. Most Mykonos beaches are pebbly or have that coarse, stinging sand when the Meltemi winds kick up. Because this beach faces south and is tucked into a cove, it’s shielded.
You can actually swim.
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On a day when Nammos or Scorpios is getting sand-blasted by 40-knot winds, the water at Santa Marina remains like glass. The cabanas are spaced out. You aren't rubbing elbows with a stranger. The service is "push a button" style—you literally have a remote on your table to call a server.
Ginko Spa and Wellness
Usually, hotel spas are an afterthought. A dark basement room with a massage table. Ginko Spa is the opposite. It’s airy. They use 111SKIN products, which is a brand founded by Dr. Yannis Alexandrides. It’s high-science skincare.
The Hammam is the centerpiece. It’s traditional but scaled up for luxury. If you’ve spent three days drinking rosé at Nammos, the "Purifying Body Ritual" is basically a biological reset button. It’s intense. They scrub you down until you feel like a new human.
Is It Actually Worth the Price?
Look, Santa Marina is expensive. We’re talking €800 a night in the low season and easily €2,000+ in July or August.
Is it worth it?
If you value privacy, yes. If you want to be seen and take selfies in a crowd, stay in Mykonos Town. Santa Marina is for the person who wants to be in Mykonos without actually dealing with the "Mykonos" of Instagram. It’s a gated community for the wealthy and the weary.
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The service isn't perfect. Nowhere in Greece is. During peak August, even a 5-star resort can feel the strain. Your club sandwich might take 30 minutes. The cart might take 5 minutes to arrive instead of 2. But the staff remembers your name. They remember how you like your coffee. That’s the difference.
Navigation and Practicality
Getting there is easy. It’s about 4km from the airport. The resort provides transfers, usually in a black Mercedes van. Don't bother renting a car unless you plan on exploring the remote north-side beaches like Agios Sostis. Parking in Ornos is a nightmare, and the resort’s valet is your best friend.
What You Need to Do
If you are planning a stay or just a visit to the Buddha-Bar, keep these points in mind:
- Book the Buddha-Bar for Sunset: Don't go for late dinner. You want that transition from golden hour to twilight.
- Request a High-Floor Room: The lower rooms are closer to the water but can pick up the "hum" of the beach club during the day. Higher is quieter.
- Use the Ornos Water Taxi: If you want to see other beach clubs (like Psarou or Super Paradise) without sitting in traffic, take the water taxi from Ornos beach, which is a short walk or cart ride away.
- The Breakfast Buffet: It’s served at Colonial Pool Restaurant. It’s massive. They have a dedicated station for Greek pies (Spanakopita) that are made fresh. Do not skip the local honey.
Santa Marina Mykonos remains the benchmark for a reason. It hasn't chased every passing trend. It hasn't turned into a circus. It’s just a very well-run, very private piece of land on an island that is increasingly losing its sense of quiet.
If you can swing the bill, there isn't a better place to hide in plain sight.
Actionable Insights for Your Trip
- Timing: Visit in late September. The water is at its warmest, the winds have died down, and the room rates often drop by 30-40% compared to August.
- Dining: While Buddha-Bar is the star, the Mykonos Social by Jason Atherton offers a more refined, Michelin-level culinary experience that focuses on Mediterranean ingredients rather than fusion.
- Packing: The resort is hilly and uses stone paths. Leave the needle-thin heels at home. High-end wedges or "fancy" flats are the move here.
- Booking: Always check for Luxury Collection "Epicurean" packages. They often include airport transfers and resort credits that offset the high cost of on-site dining.