Saint John Hotel Villas & Spa

Saint John Hotel Villas & Spa in Mykonos, Greece, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise from guests, positioning itself as a premier luxury destination on the island.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Saint John Hotel Villas & Spa is overwhelmingly positive, with an "exceptional" overall rating of 9.2 on Agoda and Booking.com based on over a thousand reviews. Guests frequently describe it as a wonderful, luxurious 5-star retreat that offers an unforgettable vacation experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel for several standout features:

• Service: The staff is frequently praised for being "super attentive and friendly," "polite and attentive," and going "above and beyond" to ensure a memorable stay. Many describe the staff as "the nicest people on the planet".
• Location: Situated in Agios Ioannis on a 20,000 m² stretch of pristine coastline, the hotel boasts "breathtaking sunsets" and "spectacular ocean views" over the Aegean Sea and towards Delos Island. It offers a tranquil and scenic, yet somewhat secluded, setting. The hotel also features its own 200-meter private sandy beach.
• Design & Amenities: The property's design, inspired by Mykonos's whitewashed cubist houses, is elegant and stylish. It features a large infinity pool, a luxurious spa, and a range of excellent facilities including multiple restaurants, bars, a fitness center, and tennis courts. The lobby was notably renovated in 2023.

3. Room Quality

The rooms, suites, and villas at Saint John are designed for luxury and comfort. They are described as spacious and stylish, with "superbly comfortable beds" and a design that makes guests feel pampered. Decor often features white tones, marble tile floors, tasteful furnishings, and splashes of color. Many rooms offer balconies and stunning sea views, with sea view deluxe rooms particularly recommended for enjoying the sunset. Amenities typically include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, and quiet air conditioning. Bathrooms are well-stocked, and some rooms even feature jetted tubs. The hotel also provides twice-daily maid service and high-quality toiletries. A significant portion (30%) of the rooms were fully renovated in 2023.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Saint John is a major highlight. Guests consistently rave about the "amazing food" and "delicious and varied culinary offerings" across the hotel's multiple restaurants.

• Breakfast: The buffet breakfast at Kalimera is frequently lauded as "exceptional" and "literally everything! It's almost a lunch," featuring a "huge spread with fresh exotic fruits and local delectables".
• Dinner: The Symposium restaurant offers "fabulous, very refined cuisine," with a special mention for the sole. Ilios Restaurant provides rich Mediterranean flavors, and 7th Heaven is noted for romantic gourmet dining.
• Bars: The Breeze Pool Bar offers refreshing cocktails and juices throughout the day, while the pool bar is also recommended for lunch, serving salads and kebabs.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at Saint John Hotel Villas & Spa receives overwhelmingly positive feedback. Guests frequently commend the staff for being "extremely clean, very helpful, and meeting every need". They are consistently described as professional, friendly, and attentive, contributing significantly to an enjoyable stay. One guest specifically highlighted Dimitri in the breakfast room for his exceptional efforts.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel is nestled in the tranquil Agios Ioannis area, approximately two miles from Mykonos Town and the airport. Its position on a bluff offers magnificent views and a secluded atmosphere. While the immediate area doesn't offer much nightlife, the hotel provides a complimentary mini-van shuttle service to Mykonos Town in the evenings, making it easy to explore. Nearby attractions include the historical island of Delos and the Panayia Tourliani Monastery. It's important to note that the property is built on a hilly terrain, featuring many stairs which may pose a challenge for guests with mobility issues.

7. Value & Pricing

Many guests consider the Saint John Hotel Villas & Spa to offer "exceptional value" for the luxurious experience provided, noting that it's "worth every penny". While exact prices vary greatly depending on the season and room type, sample rates for bed and breakfast accommodation found in reviews indicate prices such as £590 per person for 4 nights or £1,045 per person for 7 nights.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Housekeeping Inconsistencies: Some guests reported issues with inconsistent room cleaning, including vacuuming not being done, floors not washed, running out of toiletries, and towels or sheets not being changed over several days. Afternoon room re-do requests were sometimes unfulfilled.
• Spa & Pool Access: The indoor pool and spa jacuzzi were described as "freezing" by some, with a high entrance fee (60 euros per person), and the spa itself was considered small for the hotel's size.
• Accessibility: The numerous stairs throughout the hilly property can be challenging for those with mobility concerns. There were also mentions of elevator breakdowns.
• Beach Quality: Some reviews noted the private beach as "ugly," "dilapidated" in terms of equipment (deckchairs and parasols), and requiring better maintenance. A section of the beach is reportedly no longer accessible due to a cliff collapse.
• Dining Variations: While breakfast received universal praise, some guests found dinner at certain restaurants to be "not particularly good" or "poor," and one noted a lack of vegetarian main courses for included lunches, with the same menu daily.
• Staff Service (Specific Areas): A few guests mentioned that some reception and concierge staff were perceived as "cold," "unsmiling," and lacking personalization, focusing more on selling hotel services than providing local information.
• Room Issues: Poor soundproofing in some rooms and issues with twin beds being too soft or sheets not fitting were also mentioned.
• Other Costs: The absence of an all-inclusive option meant drinks could be expensive, and a tourist tax of EUR 130.00 was sometimes unexpected upon check-in. Only a limited amount of complimentary drinking water is provided daily, which can be an issue as tap water in Mykonos is not potable.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. voyage-prive.co.uk
4. luxurytraveldiary.com
5. oyster.com
6. michelin.com
7. tablethotels.com
8. reserve-online.net
9. mykonian-hospitality.com
10. booking.com
11. saintjohn.gr
12. onthebeach.co.uk