Where is it?
The Mykonians call it "sugar cube" and looking at the sweet spill of squat white buildings cascading down the granite hillside towards the glittering Aegean, it is hard to imagine a more perfect description. Mykonos is renowned for its ouzo-fuelled festivities but, tucked into a peaceful nook in the south of the island, Santa Marina draws a different crowd of wealthy Athenians seeking a bit of family downtime.
Why the hype?
For those in need of respite, Santa Marina's recent multimillion-euro refurbishment included the introduction of the new Ginkgo spa – at 423 square metres, the largest on Mykonos. Stepping through its palm-tree-lined entrance you feel as if you’re walking on water, the limestone walkway suspended above a flowing turquoise pool.
What to have?
Go local with the Hammam ESPA Ritual – a scrub, foam massage, nourishing marine mud mask, hair wash, steam and body cleanse – in its gleaming mosaic-tiled hammam. The traditional Turkish treatment uses scented oils of orange and rose geranium, to leave you feeling sweet enough to fit in with your surroundings.
Best by boat:
Anchor in Ornos Bay and tender in to Santa Marina’s private beach pier. Or leave the yacht where it is and arrive by helicopter to its on-site pad.