Hotel Manoulas Beach

The hotel is next to the sea in the little district of Agios Ioannis. The town of Mykonos is 3 mi away and the airport 4 mi away. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to reach either destination.

Most of the guests at the Manoulas Beach are European, and Brits are particularly well represented. A bus station located just opposite the hotel makes it easy to visit the island's other attractions without needing to hire a car during your stay.

The architecture of the Manoulas Beach takes its inspiration directly from the typical Cycladic style, and its little white buildings with blue shutters blend perfectly into the surrounding environment. Inside the main building is a little circular lobby adorned with a decorative mosaic floor. The beige shades used are a recurring theme in most of the hotels on Mykonos. The reception staff are welcoming and friendly.
You then cross a little lounge to find your way outside, before walking down a few steps to get to the swimming pool, a rectangular feature that really could do with a bit of work to make it more appealing. Wooden deckchairs are set out all around it, although it does not seem like there are enough. There are a few straw parasols to shelter you from the sun when it is at its strongest, and a little bar serves refreshments throughout the day.

The 77 guest rooms in the Manoulas Beach are housed in little white 1 or 2 storey units. Inside, they consist of a spacious room decorated in shades of grey and white, but the finish is not always flawless. There are few features that might give the room a bit of character. There is, however, a balcony furnished with a table and two wicker chairs, from which to enjoy the view of the garden or the sea. In terms of amenities, the room is pretty well equipped, with a television, safe, fridge, etc. Although the bathroom is plenty big enough, it is not a very cheerful space. On the plus side, it is provided with hospitality products.

The hotel's main restaurant is only open for breakfast, between 8:00am and 10:15am. It is served as a buffet and is quite substantial. The decor once more takes up the Cycladic theme, with its tables draped with blue table runners and its white wooden furniture. The room contains plenty of tables but you will probably be tempted to head out to the terrace, even though space is a bit more limited there. For lunch and dinner, you will have to make for the Taverna, which is next to the beach. This restaurant, which is also open to the general public, has a menu of dishes consisting of Mediterranean cuisine, and Greek specialities in particular. Its opening hours should not be a problem, as it operates non-stop from 1:00pm through to midnight.

The undeniable advantage of the Manoulas Beach is its direct access to Agios Ioannis beach. A little path below the swimming pool leads down to the sea. The Taverna is also located here, and the seaside is full of wooden deckchairs that can be hired by the day. Agios Ioannis is a very pleasant beach and well sheltered from the wind. In summer, it is packed with people but the clear water is perfect for swimming. All the same, the odd strand of seaweed does show up from time to time and there are one or two rocks on the seabed, but not enough to recommend the use of sandals when you go for a swim.