VILLA NAUTILIA - Luxury Suites and Cottages

You arrive at a collection of suites, cottages and villas rather than a large hotel block, with the sea doing most of the visual work. VILLA NAUTILIA faces south and sits in a wind-sheltered position, so the main pleasure is straightforward: step outside, find your view, and let the day slow down without anyone trying to organise it for you.

This is a good fit if you want your diving holiday to include proper downtime. You have an infinity pool, a broad sun terrace, outdoor spaces and an open-air hot tub, while the larger villa gives families or groups room to stay together. Couples can keep things simpler with a sea-view suite or room and a private terrace or balcony.

The atmosphere is more private residence than resort theatre. You can have breakfast in your room, settle by the pool, order room service or head down towards Lia Beach when you want a change of scenery. There is also a petanque court, which is useful for the precise moment when you have recovered enough from the morning dive to move, but not enough to become ambitious.

The address is in Kalafatis, Greece, on the south-east side of Mykonos. Lia Beach is about 0.2 miles away in a straight description of the location, with the practical walking route closer to 0.4 miles. You are not sleeping directly on the sand, but the beach is close enough to make a swim or an early look at the water quite manageable.

Mini Lia Beach is also nearby, while Frangias Beach is about 0.7 miles away by road. Kalafatis Beach is roughly 2.3 miles away by car, giving you another option when you fancy a different stretch of coast. The surrounding area is quieter and more open than Mykonos Town, so a car is useful if you want to explore beyond the immediate beaches.

Mykonos Town is about 6 miles away by road, with the windmills, Little Venice, the Archaeological Museum and Fabrica Square all in that direction. Historic sites around the island include Kastro Gkizi and the Neolithic settlement at Ftelia. Lia Beach itself has two restaurants and a diving centre, so you can keep at least part of the day close to the water.

Every unit opens towards a sea view, with either a terrace or a balcony depending on the category. That matters more here than a long list of room labels: you can sit outside with a coffee, check the conditions, and watch the light change across the water without leaving your accommodation. The larger sea-view suites give you more space to spread out, while the smaller double rooms and bungalows suit a couple who would rather keep the booking sensible and spend the day elsewhere.

For two people, the Deluxe Junior Suite with a private terrace is the one to look at if outdoor space is part of the plan. The Studio has a king-size bed, a terrace and a sea view, making it a practical choice for a couple who like having a little more than just a bed and a bathroom. The Deluxe Villa is aimed at a much larger party, with enough sleeping and bathroom capacity for an extended family or group travelling together.

Inside, air conditioning helps after hot, salty hours outside, while soundproof rooms and soundproofing should make the evening easier when you are ready for a quiet night. Units have a flat-screen TV, free WiFi, a minibar, a Bluetooth sound system, a coffee machine or kettle, and a private bathroom with towels, toiletries and a hairdryer. Daily housekeeping is included, and selected accommodation has useful dressing space and extra-long beds. In other words, you can rinse off, put the dive day away, and have the basics close at hand rather than hunting for them in a suitcase.

Breakfast is continental, and you can have it in your room. That is the useful version of luxury for a diver: coffee and breakfast without rushing into public life before you are ready, especially when a boat departure has claimed the early part of the day. Room service is also available when you would rather stay with the view and keep your legs horizontal.

On site, you have a restaurant, a bar, a snack bar and a coffee house. There is also a minibar in the accommodation, along with tea and coffee-making facilities, so you can sort out a drink without turning the evening into a logistical exercise. Fruit is available, as are wine and champagne, and packed lunches can be arranged for days when you are heading out.

The dining information does not attach a named cuisine or a detailed menu to the restaurant, so the sensible reason to choose it is convenience rather than a promised culinary pilgrimage. When you want more choice, Lia Beach has two restaurants nearby. Outdoor dining areas and the barbecue facilities give you another way to eat at the property, with the barbecue available as a separate service.

The infinity pool and spacious sun terrace are the obvious landing places when you have finished with the sea for the day. Sun loungers, beach towels, umbrellas and garden areas let you choose between lying still and lying still somewhere slightly different. The outdoor hot tub is there for the evening, when warm water sounds better than another swim and your shoulders have had enough of carrying kit.

You also have a fitness room, spa facilities, massage, facial treatments, manicure and pedicure services. That gives you a few ways to deal with the less glamorous side of repeated diving: tight shoulders, tired legs and the general condition of being pleasantly worn out. A petanque court adds a more social option, while the shared lounge and board games cover the hours when the wind has taken over the beach.

If you want to move beyond the property, walking tours, cooking classes, local culture tours, bike tours and water sports are available. Hiking, horse riding, windsurfing and snorkelling are also listed, with some activities taking place off site and some carrying an additional charge. You can therefore keep the day gentle, or add something to it without pretending that every activity is included in the room.

Mykonos Airport is about 5 miles away, roughly 12 minutes by car. An airport shuttle is available, and car hire can be arranged at the property. If you drive yourself, private parking is available on site without a reservation, which removes one small piece of holiday admin. Grocery deliveries, luggage storage and concierge service are also available when you need the practical side handled.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 23:00 and check-out from 07:00 to 12:00. You need to tell the property your expected arrival time, and you will need photo identification and a payment card at check-in. Payment before arrival by bank transfer is required, with the property providing the instructions after booking.

Children of all ages are welcome. Cots and extra beds can be requested, subject to the rules of the accommodation you choose, and guests aged 16 or over are charged as adults. Pets are allowed without an extra charge. Parties are not permitted, and quiet hours run from 22:00 to 09:00, so the evening is better suited to a drink on the terrace than to a late-night soundtrack.