Hotel Review: Myst Boutique Hotel, Tholos, Santorini, Greece

The Myst Boutique Hotel wraps its guests in comfort and tranquillity just steps from all the bells-and-whistles glamour and razzle-dazzle that Santorini can offer.

Its interpretation of traditional Cycladic style ditches the blazing white for gentle cream, grey and aqua; the cinematic caldera views for long rustic vistas across the plains of Tholos to the sea and the distant island of Ios.

But the sunsets from the northwest facing terraces are as dazzling as any on the island, the service as friendly and attentive, the accommodation as sweetly indulgent. And, if all that sensuous serenity begins to pall, the dining and shopping distractions of Oia, Santorini’s most famous – and expensive – village are a mere 800 metres away.

Who for

Couples, solo travellers and friends who prefer a laid back, relaxed atmosphere. Family accommodations are in the works.

Accommodation

Three classes of rooms are arranged to take advantage of the best sea views – framed like pictures in an artfully positioned windows. All rooms except the poolside rooms have large private Jacuzzis on their terraces.

We checked into the middle class “Supreme Suite” to find a very comfortable king-sized, pillow-topped mattress, a small seating area, a dressing area and a luxury tiled shower room. At 300 square metres, the suite was not enormous but more than spacious enough for comfort.

On the private terrace, the hot tub and chaises longues were aimed squarely at the sunset – the rim of the tub flat and stable enough for our cocktails. The top of the line “Delight Suites” are twice the size with two terraces – for the sunrise and the sunset. They include an additional memory foam sofa bed so the suite can accommodate three.

Rooms have large flat screen televisions that are so state-of-the-art that anyone post Millennial will need an instruction manual to operate them (hint to management). There are also French designer towels and robes, high end toiletries from the Greek honey based Apivita brand, easy to operate room safe, and an in-room fridge supplied with bottled water (actually an unusual feature on Santorini).

Food and drink

The hotel had barely been open a few weeks when we visited so dining options were not fully developed. That said, dishes on the light menu of Greek inspired salads, pasta dishes, seafood and grills were fresh and well presented. Dining is on a terrace with pool and sea views. A small interior dining area, useful for bad weather, was bland when we saw it but it was early days. If the décor elsewhere is anything to go by, that will likely become more interesting.

Breakfast (included in the room rate) is both buffet style and cooked – from a menu selection. The buffet includes cooking “stations” where omelettes and waffles are prepared to order. Drinks from the poolside bar include cocktails and champagne.

All meals and drinks, including breakfast, can be served poolside or in guests rooms as well at no additional charge.

The Myst has a huge, sparkling horizon pool. “Floating” sun loungers – sunbeds for two, anchored in the shallow end of the pool, are placed for the best views of the Aegean and, when the morning mist burns off, the neighbouring island of Ios.

Wi-Fi

Yes, its free

How much?

Suites in season range from €518 to €725 per night. Poolside rooms start at €389.

Booking.com

What’s nearby?

Oia, Santorini’s capital of glitz, is a short – very steep – uphill climb or a €10 taxi ride away. The hotel plans to introduce a shuttle service to Oia in the current season. Oia Castle, a ruin with views, is a popular sunset spot. Amoudi Bay, a popular beach with cafes and the departure point for Caldera and volcano cruises is just below Oia and can be reached by taxi or a hike of 300 steps. Elsewhere on the plain, the winery Domaine Sigalas can be visited for tasting and shopping.

How to get there

There are direct flights, in season, from London to Santorini airport, about a half hour from the hotel. Outside of the main season, which runs from mid-May to mid-October, several airlines operate connecting flights through Athens and other European capitals.