I Felt Unparalleled Levels of Relaxed Staying at Cali Mykonos in Greece
THE QUICK HITS: CALI MYKONOS EDITION
· CosmopolitanOnce upon a time, Lindsay Lohan boldly declared, "This is how you party in Mykonos." And me? I immediately put the city on my travel bucket list. The only problem is I'm less interested in partying in Greece and more into relaxing on private beaches, eating my weight in feta, going to sleep in a fluffy bed after too much wine, and (in an ideal world) taking casual boat rides in enormous hats and sunglasses while asking myself, "is this real life?"
Great news for anyone like me: All that is possible when you stay at Cali Mykonos, a pristine luxury hotel nestled in Kalafati, a quiet town in Mykonos tucked away from the island's famous nightlife (not not convinced it isn't heaven on earth). The hotel's fleet of private boats and cars offers you direct access to all the best party spots, though, in case you wish to partake while you're there. In other words, it's the best of both worlds, and I've been THRIVING ever since calling it home for three days in August.
Cali Mykonos
- Name: Cali Mykonos
- Location: Mykonos, Greece
- Cost Per Night: Starting at $1,200+
- Best For: A luxury solo getaway or an ultra-relaxing trip with friends.
- While You’re Here, Visit: Ano Mera, a traditional and stunning village with a monastery that dates to 1542
- One-Word Vibe Check: Dreamy
- Most Iconic Photo Spot: The view from your, ahem, private pool
- Don’t Leave Without: Eating everything in sight
THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS
You know you're in for a good vacation when the drive from the airport to the hotel looks straight out of a postcard. All my residual travel anxiety immediately melted away the second I stepped onto Cali Mykonos's serene hillside property and was greeted with panoramic views, a refreshing glass of lemonade, and a golf cart waiting to take me down the winding paths to my own private oasis.
Cali MykonosImagine getting to your hotel and being greeted by *this.*
THE ROOMS
I legitimately gasped when the doors to our suite opened. Probably because I was greeted with a private pool overlooking the ocean view of my dreams, a personal outdoor shower, and multiple outdoor couches for day-dreaming (or...day-drinking) while soaking up the Cycladic sun.
Mehera BonnerThe casual walk to our room...
Mehera Bonner...and what we saw when we opened the door.
Inside, the room was a one-stop shop for relaxation, with the most giant bed ever (my bed at home is...not that girl), a bathroom the size of my apartment, and plenty of room to, you know, set up a personal spa for an en-suite massage (we'll get to that in a moment). Meanwhile, the view of the Aegean had me jaw-dropped to the point where I'm worried I actually embarrassed myself.
Cali Mykonos
THE AMENITIES
While it was a struggle for me to leave our suite for obvious reasons related to the words "private" and "pool," let me tell you—it was worth it. First of all, Cali has the longest infinity pool on the island, and she. is. stunning. Not to mention surrounded by comfy loungers for basking in the sun (side note: pack sunscreen), and next to a bar serving up amazing cocktails to sip on while you watch the boats and windsurfers breezing by in the ocean below.
Cali Mykonos
Which brings us to my personal preference for taking a dip: The quiet beach tucked into a cove right below the pool, where the Mediterranean is bathtub-balmy and the vibes are so perfect I wanted to cry (positive). Just down the path? The hotel's boats, which are always ready to take you on a tour of the area, to one of the nearby islands for a day of exploration, or even to Mykonos town for a night of clubbing.
IMO, though? Skip the club, level-up the relaxation, and treat yourself to an en-suite massage with this view, like me. Have to say, getting months of NYC tension rubbed out of my shoulders while gazing at the water and inhaling locally made essential oils is best described as a religious experience.
Mehera Bonner
Mehera Bonner
THE FOOD AND BEV
A thing I actually said after dinner at Cali Mykonos: "I can only imagine this is what a medieval king feels like." I ate more than I ever thought possible during my stay, because the food was simply too good to stop.
The Restaurant is the spot for traditional Mediterranean fare with delicious wine pairings (their Greek-style oven potatoes will change your life) while The Lounge offers cocktails and sushi. I ate at both and cannot pick my fave so please don't ask me to. That said, my favorite part of any hotel experience is the complimentary breakfast (what can I say, I love free food), and this was no different. It's served in a cozy dining spot overlooking the pool and ocean, and is absolutely abundant with local favorites. Still dreaming of the Mykonian Koulouri (a tasty sesame bread) and the Kagianas (Greek eggs and fresh tomatoes).
Cali Mykonos
Cali Mykonos
THE BOTTOM LINE
Cali Mykonos is paradise. And I can say with confidence. This is truly a treat-yourself kind of stay, but it's 100 percent worth the cost (especially if you're staying with friends and splitting a room!) and you'll return home rejuvenated, relaxed, and ready to look up properties in Greece (it's called post-vacation delusion, we all experience it).
All I know is the person I traveled with told me it was the best trip he'd ever been on in his life, and lord knows that's not because I'm good company! I'll be returning back as soon as my budget allows it—probably in September, when the island is at its sleepiest before closing for the season!
Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm, She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.