Petasos Beach Resort sits on a private peninsula between Platis Gialos and Psarou, and that location is the key to understanding what it offers. You get the seclusion of a Small Luxury Hotels property with a private saltwater infinity pool and a rocky beach enclave, but you are also steps from the bus stop, the water taxi pier, and the most practical beach on Mykonos. The question is whether the trade-offs—a hillside layout with no elevator, occasional noise from neighboring beach clubs, and rates that run high even by Mykonos standards—make sense for the way you travel. For couples who want to split their days between a quiet hotel pool and exploring the south coast by water taxi, it is a strong fit. For anyone with mobility concerns or a low tolerance for ambient music, it probably is not.
The architecture is classic Mykonian whitewash updated with minimalist interiors—marble floors, Bisazza mosaics in the spa, and a lobby with contemporary art pieces. Most public spaces, including the two-tier saltwater pool and the two restaurants, face Psarou Bay and the yachts moored there. The design makes the most of the peninsula, but the hotel is built into a steep hillside with multiple levels connected only by stairs. There are no elevators, so expect to climb between the lobby, your room, and the pool area several times a day.
The room range is wide. Standard and Classic Rooms have compact bathrooms and garden views; upgraded categories add outdoor jacuzzis, semi-private shared pools, or full private infinity pools. The Private Pool Suite at 70 square meters is the most practical upgrade for a couple, with a separate living room, two bathrooms, and a sun terrace. Families should look at the Galaxy Pool Villa, which sleeps six across three bedrooms and has its own rooftop infinity pool and kitchenette. The largest option, the Diamond Suite, sleeps up to twelve with three bedrooms and a fitness room.
The saltwater pool is the center of the resort—split over two levels with a waterfall, lined with sunbeds, and looking directly over the bay. Below it, the private beach area is a rocky outcropping with sandy patches, accessed by ladders into deep water. A lifeguard is on duty during the day, and staff bring food and drinks from the pool bar. It is not a sandy swimming beach in the way Platis Gialos is, but it works for a quick dip away from the public crowds.
Breakfast is the meal people remember. Served at VIP Restaurant from 7:30 to 11 am, the buffet includes rotating hot items, fresh pastries, a variety of nut butters (cashew, hazelnut, pumpkin), and alternative milks. The spread is consistently praised in guest reviews, and the quality holds up across the season.
Dining on-site splits between VIP Restaurant, which does Asian-Greek fusion in the evenings, and Le Club, a casual Mediterranean option by the pool open noon to 7 pm. Both are good, but the real dining draw is the cluster of restaurants a minute’s walk away on Platis Gialos—Avli Tou Thodori for Greek meze, Yialo Yialo for reliable seafood, and Nikos Gallop for Cretan dishes. The hotel’s own restaurants work best for a sunset dinner when you do not want to leave the property.
The Aqua Marine Spa covers 500 square meters and centers on thalassotherapy in a heated indoor pool lined with Bisazza mosaics. There is also a sauna, a steam room, and a Vichy shower. All hotel guests can use the sauna and steam room at no extra cost; the thalassotherapy pool and specific treatments require a reservation and an additional fee. The gym is well-equipped with cardio machines, cable machines, and free weights, and private yoga sessions can be arranged through the concierge.
The lack of an elevator is the most concrete limitation. The hotel is built over several levels, and moving between them requires navigating stairs. This affects every part of a stay—from carrying bags to your room to walking up from the pool to the lobby. It is a genuine issue for anyone with limited mobility or for families with young children in pushchairs.
Noise from neighboring beach clubs, particularly Nammos, carries into the outdoor areas during peak summer afternoons. The soundproof windows in the rooms block most of it, but the terraces and pool deck are exposed. If you want a completely quiet beach day, this is not the property for you.
The pricing is steep even by Mykonos standards, and guests have noted extra charges for items like bottled water at breakfast. The rates listed on the hotel’s own site and on booking platforms change frequently, so check current costs before booking. The hotel generally opens from May 1 to the end of October, and for high-season stays between June and September, you should reserve at least three months in advance—five months is safer.
The bus stop is directly in front of the hotel entrance. Buses run to Mykonos Town’s Fabrika station every 30 minutes during summer peak hours, the ride takes about ten minutes, and the fare is roughly €2 each way. The bus service is reliable and frequent, and it removes any need to rent a car or deal with taxis.
Platis Gialos Beach is a one-minute walk downhill. It is a long, wide stretch of soft sand in a south-facing bay, with shallow water that stays calm even when the Meltemi wind picks up on the north coast. Sunbeds range from about €40 for a basic pair with an umbrella up to €150 for premium sections closer to the beachfront hotels. There are also two mini-markets on the beach for water and snacks at lower prices than the restaurants.
Psarou Beach is a 13-minute walk west along a coastal footpath. It is more exclusive, with Nammos Village and its luxury boutiques, but the water is protected from the wind and almost waveless. The walk from Petasos to Psarou is easy and gives you access to a completely different beach atmosphere without needing transport.
The water taxi is the single best reason to base yourself at Platis Gialos. Small boats depart from the concrete jetty at the western end of the beach and run east along the south coast, stopping at Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia. An all-day pass costs €20, and you can hop on and off as many times as you want. The service runs from mid-May to mid-October, with boats roughly hourly from 10 am to 4 pm, returning from Elia until about 5:45 pm.
For €20, you get access to five beaches that would otherwise require multiple bus journeys, a taxi, or a rental car. The strategy that works well: arrive at Platis Gialos early, spend the morning swimming and having lunch at one of the beachfront tavernas, then take the water taxi east to Paradise or Elia for the afternoon, and ride it back in time for early dinner. The bus from Petasos to town handles the evening if you want nightlife.
The water taxi is seasonal and weather-dependent, but in summer it runs reliably. It connects beaches that range from the party scene at Paradise to the quieter, longer sands at Elia. If you are staying at Petasos, the water taxi pier is meters from the hotel, which makes it almost effortless to use.
Petasos works best for couples who want a private, well-run hotel with a good pool and spa, and who plan to use the bus and water taxi to explore rather than staying on the property all day. The location between two very different beaches—Platis Gialos for convenience and casual dining, Psarou for upscale beach clubs—gives you options without needing transport. The staff consistently earn high marks for responsiveness and warmth, and the breakfast alone justifies the premium for many guests.
It is not a good choice for travelers with mobility issues, for anyone who wants a quiet, isolated beach resort, or for families with very young children who would need to navigate the stairs constantly. The private beach area is not recommended for children because of the deep-water entry. The hotel welcomes all ages and has family rooms and babysitting on request, but the layout works against a relaxed family stay.
If your priority is being directly on the sand with a pool and no stairs, Branco Mykonos or Acrogiali Hotel on Platis Gialos are more practical. If you want a quieter, more romantic setting with better sunset views, Agios Ioannis has several options. But if the combination of a Small Luxury Hotels property, the Platis Gialos bus stop, and the water taxi matters to you, Petasos is the right fit.
Practical questions about Petasos and Platis Gialos
Is Petasos Beach Resort worth the high rates?
If the location between two beaches, the private pool and spa, and the breakfast quality matter to you, then yes. If you would rather spend less and stay directly on the sand at a simpler hotel like Acrogiali, the premium is harder to justify. Check the current rates on the hotel’s own site or booking platforms before deciding.
Do you need a rental car when staying at Petasos?
No. The bus stop is at the hotel entrance, the water taxi pier is a minute’s walk, and Platis Gialos Beach has restaurants, mini-markets, and sunbeds within easy walking distance. Mykonos Town is a ten-minute bus ride. A car adds parking stress and is not necessary for a Platis Gialos base.
When is the best time to visit Platis Gialos?
Late May to mid-June and early September offer warm water, manageable crowds, and reliable weather. July and August are intensely busy—beaches fill by 11 am, sunbed prices hit their peak, and the water taxi queues build. The water taxi and most beach facilities run from mid-May to mid-October, so the shoulder months give you the best balance.
Can families with teenagers stay at Petasos?
Yes, but with caveats. The hillside stairs are a practical issue, and the private beach is deep water only. Teenagers who can swim confidently will enjoy the water taxi access to Paradise and other beaches. The Galaxy Pool Villa sleeps six and has its own pool, which helps. For families who want a flatter layout and a sandy beach directly outside, Petinos Beach Hotel on Platis Gialos is a better fit.
References
Petasos Beach Resort & Spa review. Odessia, 2025.
Platis Gialos Beach guide. Day Trips From Mykonos, 2026.
Petasos Beach Resort hotel review. Santorini Dave, 2025.
Platis Gialos beach guide and hotel picks. Santorini Dave, 2025.
Platis Gialos beach travel guide. The Olive Suitcase, 2025.
