Rocabella Mykonos

We leave Mykonos Island Airport and are immediately struck by a wall of heat. A gentleman from our surf-hued Grecian stay, boutique hotel Rocabella, promptly greets us and ushers us into a mercifully air-conditioned car. Around 15 minutes later, at the front desk of the airy lobby, we’re being offered champagne. Naturally, we accept and take our flutes out onto the balcony overlooking the pool, which in turn, overlooks the sea. We’re here; we’re on holiday. Our room isn’t quite ready yet, but we’re perfectly happy lounging poolside, alongside a few other couples, who seem equally thrilled to be here. While we wait, we’re treated to a champagne top-up. 

After half an hour of basking, we’re swiftly taken up to our sea-view suite, which is simply beautiful – perhaps more so than the pictures suggested. Its focal point is a large bed at the centre of the circular room, facing floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that look directly out over the glistening sea. The wardrobe’s a wooden rail running along the wall, and the bathroom is equally open-plan with not one, but two showers, a large sink and natural local bath products. The whole ambience encapsulates Mykonos; everything’s been whitewashed: the walls, ceiling, linen, towels… Everything. We love the simple bed frame hewn from stone, also white. This pale palette makes the suite feel fresh and airy, and sunbeams bounce around the place. 

Out on the balcony, as if the view wasn’t enough, there’s a plunge pool too. Arguably, we struggle to get it to quite the temperature we’d like, but it’s still rather glorious — especially at night, when you can soak and stargaze. It’s a real treat, far more exclusive than a communal Jacuzzi, and better suited to the sun-drenched surroundings than a bath tub. A plunge pool on the balcony – one should be included with every holiday…  

Needless to say, we get a blissful, soundless night’s sleep. We stick with the pillows already plumped up on the bed, feeling too much like divas to order alternatives from the ‘pillow menu’, even though we’re intrigued by the very concept. Come morning, we marvel at the extensive breakfast offering. We eat everything: Greek yoghurt (naturally), home-made vegetable tarts, fresh and dried fruit, eggs… All wolfed down in the alfresco dining area, right by the pool – ideal for lapping up the early-morning sun that’s already beating down. 

After breakfast, it’s time to see what the spa has to offer. Rocabella treats each guest to a free 15-minute treatment, so my fellow Smith and I decide to indulge in a mini massage each. Afterwards, I pretty much float out of the room, muscles deep-tissue pummelled to a pulp (in the best possible way), knots banished. Mr Smith is in a similar state; I wouldn’t have thought it possible to reach such an ecstatic state in just 15 minutes, so I’m impressed. Obviously, there are plenty of full-length treatments on offer too, from buffing to massaging, filing to polishing. 

In Mykonos, if you haven’t acquired a hire car, you’re reliant on resort chauffeurs or local taxis. However, Rocabella runs a faultless – and free – on-demand shuttle service; you need to give 30 minutes’ notice, but it’s a joy to know that as soon as we’re ready to head into town we can just call down from our room. We let reception know when to pick us up and when we tire of exploring, they’re there and waiting for us. This handy service runs between the main town, hotel and airport; but if you want to log some beach lazing, you’ll need your own car.

We dine at Rocabella’s Reeza on one night, at a candlelit table in the same alfresco area where we had breakfast. We share a burrata salad to start with, made with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes. The rest of the menu is Mediterranean-tinged, with a meat- and fish-heavy selection of pasta dishes and grills. The poolside is quiet, with just a few fellow diners scattered around, and the hotel’s cat is purring around guests’ legs, yearning for attention. 

Retiring to our room every evening is a treat. Each night there’s a little something new in our room, be it chocolates, tiramisu, or the mini bottle of local pink fizz which appeared on our final night. We feel spoilt with these unexpected and thoughtful gifts. There’s also a TV in the room, but I can’t say we ever turned it on. With this ‘get away from it all’ setup, you don’t need it; and by check-out, which comes around all too soon, we’ve forgotten the outside world exists beyond our Mykonos hideaway.