Semeli Hotel

This small luxury hotel complex sits high on a hilltop overlooking Mykonos town, and its swimming pool terrace, splendid enough in itself, boasts commanding views of the city’s rooftops. The location may not be as dramatic as the archetypal Greek island resort, perched on a cliffside, but there’s something to be said for a quiet residential location like Semeli’s.

This was, after all, a private residence until just a few years ago, when it was expanded to include several houses and renovated in a surprisingly contemporary style. Some Greek island getaways are a bit style-challenged, but this one is smart, a subdued mix of the traditional, in the form of whitewashed walls and grey stone tile floors, and the more modern, traditional yet slightly minimal furniture, aiming for timelessness rather than ancient history. Facilities are up-to-date, with satellite TV and double-glazed windows to keep things quiet.

The hotel is convenient to the town center, and the anxious can blow off steam in the fitness room, but for most, the charm of this place lies in wandering the narrow walkways between the houses and, above all, the pool, the hotel’s centerpiece, home to the bar and restaurant, and the social hub of the place.