PANOPTIS ESCAPE
Private Hilltop Retreat
The Panoptis Escape is the pinnacle of several Myconian Collection properties, owned by the Daktylides family, all of which are set into a single hillside on the Greek island of Mykonos.
Nearby Elia Beach is the longest stretch of sand on the southern part of the island. Although the beach is not far from the hotel, its an extremely steep climb - all except the very fittest guests will need to be picked up for the return journey back to the hotel.
The property itself is small - just 18 rooms, although one of them is a 3-bedroom suite. All rooms are large, and most have views over the Mediterranean to the south.
Four of the rooms, which each have their own pools, feature individual private entrances direct from the car park, meaning that with the use of room service, guests never need to enter the public spaces of the hotel, thus ensuring utmost privacy.
Uniquely, this hotel features two helipads, with options to book pick-ups from Mykonos airport or Athens.
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All 18 bedrooms are large, effectively suites, including two and three bedroom villas.
Sofa area in the bedroom as well as on the external terrace.
Jacuzzi on the terrace.
Universal electricity socket.
Nespresso machine (standard capsule type), but no milk or creamers in room.
The bathroom contained a shower only (no bath-tub).
710
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Fairly comfortable mattress and pillows.
8/10
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The air conditioning is effective and reasonably quiet, but does not allow adjustment below 19C.
7/10
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Small spa with one treatment room (guests can opt for in-room treatments).
No sauna or steam room, although guests can use those facilities in another of the Myconian properties, about 3 minutes by car.
5/10
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No gym, although guests can use the gym in the Myconian Imperial, about 3 minutes by car.
2/10
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Buffet style, reasonably well stocked, although the ‘hot’ items were lukewarm at best.
6/10
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Excellent quality coffee at breakfast.
9/10
A very small spa is located within hotel. It features one treatment room only (containing two beds). There is an option to have treatments in your bedroom. There are no other spa facilities, such as a steam room and sauna - guests can however take a shuttle to a neighbouring hotel down the hill to use those facilities as well as a fairly well-equipped gym.
All meals are taken in the same light-filled dining room with a view over the nearby Four Seasons and the bay beyond. Breakfast is buffet style. Dinner is à la carte - the slow-cooked lamb with rosemary potatoes, all swimming in olive oil, is particularly good.
Wifi service is patchy and intermittent throughout this small hotel, so for reliability you may need to use your phone’s hotspot.
Sunsets are spectacular at this property, especially from the pool.
The hotel is closed during the winter months.
Personal Note
This small island retreat is obviously designed with privacy in mind, and it conveys that tone successfully. Arriving and departing by helicopter would add to the cachet.
The position on the hilltop gives it the advantage of a good view, and adds to the ‘escape’ feel. But it also means that beach access is restricted, as is access to the usual 5-star facilities (such as fitness room, sauna, etc.) which are located in the sister properties.
A couple of days here would be about right. Any longer and the lack of facilities might become bothersome.
