"Destinations editor Shannon McMahon journeyed here for her honeymoon, a choice she does not regret in the slightest. In fact, she deems it a hotel “to plan your entire trip around”. It’s the only sandy stretch of private beach on Mykonos —A.K.A. the only spot on the island where you can guarantee some sustained peace and quiet from ceaseless throngs of partygoers—but this is not all that sets the Santa Marina apart from other island hotels. There’s the swimming, from an impossibly soft sand beach and into conditions uncharacteristically calm for Mykonos, and a sprawling spa with hammam-inspired treatments. The two restaurants are both laden with light aphrodisiacs—one with Asian-fusion seafood galore, another serving taverna-style slow-cooked lamb and grilled octopus. Fear not, however, as the party still gets going at the beachfront bar until the wee morning hours for the Dionysian date nights." - CNT Editors, Betsy Blumenthal