Bard de Sol

Bard de Sol, a Michelin Key Selected property in Mykonos, Greece, garners overwhelmingly positive reviews for its blend of modern luxury, exceptional service, and stunning Aegean views. This boutique hotel, with its 13 meticulously designed rooms and suites, is a testament to sophisticated Cycladic charm.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Bard de Sol is exceptionally positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "perfect," "lovely," and "amazing." The hotel is praised for its high quality and memorable guest experiences, reinforcing its status as a Michelin Key Selected property.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features of Bard de Sol:

• Service & Staff: The hotel's staff receives universal acclaim for being friendly, warm, helpful, accommodating, and highly professional, providing "absolute top" service.
• Design & Ambiance: The design is characterized as modern, glamorous, and sleek, with urban-looking interiors that maintain a sophisticated minimalism while incorporating traditional Cycladic elements. The pleasant scent throughout the hotel also contributes to a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere.
• Rooms & Amenities: Spacious, comfortable rooms with breathtaking sea views and private pools or jacuzzis are a major draw. The delicious and varied breakfast is another frequently praised amenity.
• Location & Views: Its position above Agios Stefanos beach offers magnificent vistas, allowing guests to enjoy serene surroundings and beautiful sunsets.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Bard de Sol are consistently described as spacious, clean, and extremely comfortable, offering amazing views. Each room boasts a modern and minimalist design, featuring calming neutral tones like white, ivory, beige, and black. Guests appreciate the comfortable king-size beds and the thoughtful inclusion of furnished balconies or patios, many of which come with private outdoor pools or hot tubs overlooking the Aegean. The bathrooms are well-appointed with walk-in rain showers, high-end sanitary ware, Greek amenities, bathrobes, and slippers, contributing to a luxurious feel. Standard in-room amenities include air-conditioning, a minibar with a Nespresso machine, and complimentary WiFi. Some split-level suites even feature fully equipped kitchens, providing enhanced convenience for longer stays.

4. Dining Experience

The on-site Mediterranean restaurant at Bard de Sol provides a highly enjoyable dining experience. Breakfast, served al fresco, is consistently lauded as "yummy," "amazing," and "excellent," offering a wide variety of local specialties, fresh pastries, and options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. While some guests noted a potentially limited menu, particularly at the start of the season, the quality and the attentive service during breakfast were highly praised.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at Bard de Sol is a significant highlight, with the staff receiving overwhelming praise. Guests describe the team as friendly, warm, helpful, accommodating, and exceptionally professional. Many reviews emphasize the staff's dedication, describing them as "perfect" and providing "absolute top" service. The reception staff is particularly noted for their friendliness and willingness to offer advice and assistance.

6. Location & Accessibility

Bard de Sol is situated in Agios Stefanos, Mykonos, perched on cliffs overlooking Agios Stefanos beach and the port. This location offers beautiful views and is a short walk (5-8 minutes) to Agios Stefanos Beach and close to Mykonos New Port. The hotel is approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) from Mykonos Airport, making for a roughly 10-minute drive. While it provides a tranquil setting, it is about a 15-minute drive from Mykonos's old port city. Some guests noted that walking to the main town area can take around 20-45 minutes and involves navigating roads without sidewalks and hills, which can be an effort, particularly when returning to the hotel. An 8-minute bus ride from the old port is an option, though it still involves some uphill walking.

7. Value & Pricing

As a Michelin Key Selected property, Bard de Sol is positioned as a luxury accommodation, and its pricing reflects this. While specific price ranges were not available, guest comments implying "booking a suite for that kind of money" suggest it is a premium hotel. Guests should also factor in a city tax, which varies seasonally (EUR 3.00 per night from November-March; EUR 10.00 per night from April-October). For those who are Tablet Plus members, benefits such as room upgrades, a $100 hotel credit, and late check-out can enhance the perceived value.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few recurring criticisms have been noted:

• Maintenance Issues: One guest reported issues with a dirty terrace, clogged bathroom drains, and dirt around the pool in their suite, suggesting potential management or maintenance oversights. However, the hotel stated that these issues do not reflect the typical guest experience.
• Pool Temperature: Private pools, particularly during certain times of the year, may be too cold for comfortable use. Similarly, jacuzzis can take a long time to heat up.
• Breakfast Variety: Although generally praised, some guests observed limited breakfast options, especially at the beginning of the season.
• Location Accessibility (Walking): The hotel's somewhat secluded location means that walking to Mykonos town can be a lengthy and strenuous endeavor due to hills and a lack of sidewalks.
• Lack of Central Pool Area: One guest noted the absence of a central pool or a designated area for lounging, suggesting that guests primarily use their private or shared room pools.

Sources

1. thegreekfoundation.com
2. tablethotels.com
3. michelin.com
4. booking.com
5. booking.com
6. trip.com
7. barddesol.com
8. luxury-hotels.com
9. expedia.com
10. booking.com
11. hotels.com