Where to stay in Greece: Paros and Mykonos
Should you go luxury? Or go budget? When I started planning our trip, I knew that a big part of it would be where to stay. In comparison, Paros was not as pricey as Mykonos. In fact, it was almost half the cost of most hotels within the same range in Mykonos. Perhaps, this is yet another sign to visit Paros.
Where to stay in Paros - Mr and Mrs White Paros
Located in the quaint fishing village, Naoussa, Mr and Mrs White Paros is the definition of stunning in simplicity. Walking into the space, you’re greeted with a canopy of bougainvillea with grapes drooping richly from entwined stems. Don’t ask me how this was made possible; I have absolutely no idea lol.
Mr and Mrs White Paros has a very romantic and intimate vibe to it and I noticed it was mainly couples who were lodged within. It also had a boutique feel to it and we felt like we were just crashing in another home.
The closest beach to Mr and Mrs White Paros, Agioi Anargyroi is about a kilometer away and the town centre is also under a kilometer so it is a fantastic location. We noticed that it was nestled somewhat in the midst of residential streets which I found quite sweet and added to the charm of Paros having a homely feel. There was also a car park which was free for hotel residents.
Room
We stayed in a deluxe room with sea view. It had a little terrace with the view of the “quiet pool“. I called it the “quiet pool” because the other pool had a bar and everyone spent their time there. This “quiet pool” often felt like it belonged to us, as it was almost always empty and in my opinion, the more stunning of the two!
Mr and Mrs White Paros has a rather modern aesthetic, clean and felt quite serene. We were on the side where the sun set so we were able to watch a few sunsets over the sea from our window. The terrace was a great spot where we ate all our meals, which we ordered as room service. It was also the perfect chill spot to watch the sea and just enjoy the still.
The bathroom was a little too small for the type of room we booked and that was a bit surprising. It had just a shower and no bath, I’m not sure what I expected but it felt like a different space in comparison to the rest of the facility. We soon adjusted to the size but I remember thinking it could have been bigger. It was modern though so I guess that was good enough.
Grounds
This is where Mr and Mrs White Paros shines even brighter. The grounds are just exceptional. Walking in feels like a stroll into a nature filled space; like a colourful garden in bloom during summer. There is a burst of colours from the pinks of the bougainvilleas to the greens of the hanging plants and even the bright blue water from the freshwater swimming pools. All these colours against the blue skies make for a dreamy sight.
Dining
The restaurant on site had quite an extensive menu. In fact, we did not need to leave the hotel to eat if we did not wish to. Our booking was inclusive of breakfast and this was a feast every morning to fuel up before heading out to explore. We had room service a few times and also had dinner once in the hotel’s restaurant.
Service
The staff at Mr and Mrs White Paros was so lovely! They helped us book everything we asked for and even gave us some suggestions on restaurants to visit. Our port transfer, boat cruise and even our covid pre-departure test were all organised by the reception. All we had to do was ask and it was done!
On the day we had the boat cruise, we had to leave early to join the rest of the team. We had no time for breakfast and the kitchen staff was kind enough to put together a breakfast box for us.
As Mr and Mrs White Paros is about 10 mins walk to the centre, it made it easy for us to explore every time we felt like it. We would go out in the mornings before the town woke, wander and come back to relax in the room when the sun got harsh. We spent a lot of time in our room as I was newly pregnant and tired a lot. Our room was cosy and allowed for our late night binge sessions of How to get away with Murder until we drifted up to sleep.
Where to stay in Mykonos - Livin’ Mykonos
We arrived Mykonos in the afternoon and took a taxi straight to our hotel and wow! I was pleasantly surprised. Livin’ Mykonos is modern, boho chic vibes. When you think of what Mykonos should look like, Livin’ Mykonos is the answer. It is an adults only, luxury hotel that is about 15 minutes away from the center. The architecture is very different to any hotel I have ever stayed in and it felt quite roomy and cosy at the same time.
Coming from the slightly eccentric, bougainvillea filled hotel in Paros, this was a totally different vibe. Clean lines, mostly minimalistic and dare I say, scandi-inspired.
A friendly concierge who took our details and showed us to our room greeted us with welcome drinks. Everything seemed relaxed and from our arrival meeting, we knew that was the mood of the hotel. There is also a free car park for hotel residents.
Room
Our room was the Deluxe Room Garden view. It came with a terrace which we later found to be epic for sunsets. It looked out towards a green space that reminded me of some locations I had seen on a road trip in America a few years ago. We sat there to have our morning coffee before we went for a wander and it was bliss.
The bathroom was another favourite spot and the sink was my favourite feature. In comparison to our bathroom in Paros, this was roomier and the shower could fit 2 people without any problem.
Grounds
This is where this property scores an A+ as it was simply stunning! White walls and little nooks of tranquility made for a truly gorgeous space. The outdoor pool area was an absolute winner especially when the sun sets. It felt like I was on a rooftop in LA with the most stunning view and this is where the inspo must have been totally bohemian.
I also loved that the hotel never felt busy, there were always cabanas available. Don’t you hate it when you come out at 8am and all cabanas are reserved? There was nothing like that here.
Dining
As with our hotel in Paros, reservation in Livin’ Mykonos included breakfast. As with the theme of everything being picturesque in this hotel, breakfast was set up by the pool. Even if you are not one for morning meals, you would be forced to sit and enjoy your tea with the view. The spread was also plentiful and there was so much variety to choose from. Breakfast looked homemade and the juices were very fresh which we really enjoyed.
Service
Since our flight was much later in the afternoon, we were allowed a late check out for free. Hotels that allow this always have my heart. I know that sometimes, it is impossible especially when they are at full capacity. But when a hotel goes the extra mile, it is always appreciated.
Service was wonderful. I always feel like a broken record when I talk about the service we receive while travelling but tbh, Mr E and I are always blessed with good people on our trips. This was no different.
The closest beach is the popular Psarrou beach, which is less than 2 miles, and Mykonos center is just over 1 km away. Mykonos airport is actually about 0.5 miles away – very close by and we actually joked about walking down with our huge suitcases.
Where to stay in Greece: Paros and Mykonos
With both hotels, they felt romantic and geared towards couples seeking a lovely Grecian adventure. I have since recommended both to friends and family and of course, the feedback has been fantastic. Not that I was ever in doubt because tbh, if I am recommending anything, it has to be close to perfect.
So if you are heading to Europe and not sure where to stay in Greece, Paros and Mykonos are fantastic islands and these hotels tick the right boxes. I always recommend booking directly through the hotel website as there is always a chance of a discount. Also, if there is a lesson I learnt during the pandemic, it is to book directly. This is in case of changed or missed plans, it is always easier to rearrange with the hotel than 3rd party websites.
See you in Greece!
Bisous, Bugo x
2 Comments
Ali - We Made This Life
I’ve just been watching Stacey Soloman’s instagram stories about her hen trip to Mykanos and it looks beautiful there. Planning a trip there myself so thanks so much for the inspo in this post.
Bugo
I follow Stacey as well. She’s so lovely! aww you are welcome. Greece was definitely a wonderful trip for us. Hope you enjoy it when you go x