Overlooking Merchia Bay, this coastal retreat pairs generous sea views with Greek dining and an unhurried approach to hospitality.
Mykonos has a reputation as a ‘party island’. Its beach clubs, bars and international DJ line-ups draw visitors throughout the summer, but there is another side to the island for those willing to venture beyond its busiest shores. Semeli Coast Mykonos, Curio Collection by Hilton makes a convincing case for doing just that. The sister property to Semeli Hotel in Mykonos Town occupies a secluded spot on the island’s northeastern coast, where the Aegean Sea provides much of the entertainment.
Near the village of Ano Mera, the hotel sits at the end of a winding rural road, with a handful of guesthouses and fishermen’s shacks for company. Arriving by car, we find a cliffside retreat overlooking Merchia Bay, its sea views immediately setting the pace for the stay.
Mykonos Town remains within reach when the mood strikes for a night out. Once we settle in, however, leaving feels less pressing than finding a comfortable spot beside the water.
Design and décor
Glass, stone and wood give Semeli Coast’s whitewashed buildings a contemporary feel without losing their Cycladic character. Developed by a local family over three years, the hotel combines familiar island architecture with understated interiors.
The intimate lobby overlooks the upper swimming pool, and the welcome is warm. A spiral staircase leads down to Icáre restaurant, Azalea Luxury Spa and a second outdoor pool, with the different levels making the most of the cliffside coastal setting.
Marble tabletops, black-and-white upholstery and carefully placed greenery keep the restaurant’s décor simple. There is little to distract from the views, which remain the hotel’s strongest design feature.
Rooms and Suites
With just 45 rooms, Semeli Coast feels intimate. Its suites and villas follow the island’s familiar cubic forms, with whitewashed walls and exposed local stone helping the buildings sit comfortably within the landscape. Sea views are a recurring feature, while private pools and hot tubs make lingering in your accommodation particularly appealing.
FACT checks into a villa arranged over three floors, with a living and dining area, two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and a hot tub overlooking the sea. The generous layout gives us room to spread out while retaining the comfort of a private retreat.
Inside, white tones, panelled ceilings and pale wood surfaces continue the restrained approach. Marble feature walls and steel-framed shower doors add definition to the bathrooms, while Etro toiletries provide a welcome indulgence.
Sliding dark-wood doors separate the bedrooms from the living space, allowing privacy within the otherwise open layout. French doors open onto the decked balcony and fill the rooms with morning light. It is an easy place to settle into a slower routine, particularly when a soak with a sea view is only a few steps away.
Dining delights
Icáre, led by Executive Chef Ioannis Parikos, takes a Mediterranean approach, with vegetables, seafood and meat at the centre of the menu. The coastal setting suits to the lighter dishes, although there is plenty for those with a heartier appetite.
We begin with Tuna Tartare, served with smoked fava bean purée and fresh tomato dressed with soy sauce and oregano. The smoky accompaniment gives the dish a distinctive character. Alongside it, Shrimp Saganaki combines juicy prawns with confit tomatoes, ouzo jelly and basil oil, balancing sweetness with fragrant herbal notes.
A generous portion of Flap Steak with Smashed Potatoes and Chimichurri is enough for two. Tender slices of beef, crisp potatoes and the sauce’s tang make for a satisfying main course. Dessert is hardly necessary, but that does little to deter us.
Breakfast takes place in the same dining space, which feels altogether different in the morning light. The buffet is compact and well considered, with enough variety to keep things interesting without overwhelming the room.
Greek favourites include spanakopita and portokalopita, alongside cold cuts, cheeses and a particularly good bowl of thick, creamy Greek yoghurt. Made-to-order omelettes join scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon, while coffee is ordered at the table and arrives promptly.
Down by the beach, Almira Taverna offers a more informal setting. A handful of tables, wicker chairs and an overhead canopy give it the intimacy of a small seaside restaurant. It feels like a change of scene without requiring us to leave the hotel.
Lunch is exactly what a day by the water calls for: a fresh Greek salad, marinated anchovies with sea fennel salad, creamy tzatziki fragrant with dill, and soft-centred courgette fritters. Two freddo coffees round off a meal that is simple, satisfying and well suited to its surroundings.
Spa and wellness
Azalea Luxury Spa offers plenty of ways to spend a quiet afternoon. An indoor swimming pool, two cold plunges, a steam room, a sauna and a Himalayan salt room give guests ample choice without making the experience feel complicated.
The spa is surprisingly spacious for a hotel of this size. Two treatment rooms accommodate massages, body wraps and facials, with Thalgo products used across the treatments.
There is also a compact gym equipped with Technogym machines. Its view of Merchia Bay provides a persuasive reason to fit in a workout, although the pool remains strong competition.
Rest and recreation
The beach is the highlight of the stay for me. Reached by a rocky flight of steps, it feels tucked away from the busier stretches of Mykonos, with dark sand and open coastal views.
Complimentary sun loungers are plentiful during our visit, and food and drinks can be ordered directly to our seats. With lunch nearby at Almira Taverna, there is little reason to move far once we find a spot.
For those who prefer a pool to the sea, the hotel has two outdoor options: one beside the lobby and another by Icáre. Both are lined with generous, sofa-like sunbeds and share the same impressive outlook. Choosing between them becomes one of the more demanding decisions of the day.
The verdict
Service at Semeli Coast is attentive and relaxed. The team handles everyday requests with care, but it is the smaller moments that stay with us, including staff helping sick cats around the property.
Contact with the front desk takes place via WhatsApp, a convenient arrangement that suits the informal atmosphere. During our stay, replies are prompt and requests are handled with warmth, making it easy to feel at home.
Semeli Coast will appeal most to travellers who are happy to trade immediate access to Mykonos Town for quieter surroundings. The sea views, comfortable accommodation and thoughtful service give us plenty of reasons to stay put. On an island known for keeping visitors out late, this is somewhere we are more than happy to turn in early.
Where: Semeli Coast Mykonos, Curio Collection by Hilton, Merchia Beach, Mykonos, Greece
Contact: www.hilton.com