In short… Aether Boutique Stay is a beautiful, family-owned boutique hotel where you can experience a quieter, more authentic side of Mykonos.
The surroundings… Set on a small, unassuming drive, Aether Boutique Stay has the perfect location—it’s close to everything but tucked away from the town’s noise, with spectacular views.
The vibe… Aether opened its doors to guests in June 2013 after Athina and Athanosios carefully renovated the property, which has been in Athanosios’ family for generations. They wanted to create the kind of place you can only find on a Greek island, and with just 6 guest rooms and 2 guest cottages in nearby Ano Mera, it really feels like staying in a beautiful family home. The classic Cycladic architecture provides a minimalist backdrop to landscaping that looks like works of art, with built-in benches for soaking up the Greek sun. The breakfast room, designed and built by Athanasios, has large windows overlooking the city, built-in shelves displaying baskets of Mykonian flowers, and antique decor collected by Athina.
When you arrive at the reception area, the lovely Athina greets you with a welcome drink and handcrafted sweet loukoumi from a neighboring island. Every time I enter their courtyard, I immediately feel relaxed and happy to be back. My husband and I have returned every year since we first visited in 2018 and fell in love with Aether and Mykonos. The love and care poured into this place are palpable the moment you arrive.
The rooms… We usually stay in the Deluxe Sea View room, which has amazing views of the island. We often come back early at least once during our stay to watch the sunset from the large, picture-frame-like window or the patio. The minimalist design, warm lighting, and details like the colorful floor tiles in the bathroom are exactly what you want in a Greek island hotel.
Be sure to… follow Athina and Athanasios’ advice for beaches and experiences in Mykonos. Athanasios is a native Mykonian, and his grandfather Nikolas owned one of the five windmills in the city (you can find photos of Nikolas on postcards and history books). They know the island inside and out and can guide you to its quieter side, where you can find nearly empty beaches, family-run farm-to-table restaurants, and hand-made Mykonian earrings and crafts. Athina’s blog on Aether’s website is a great way to learn more about the island’s history and is a wonderful read before or during your holiday!
The food and drink… Athina’s breakfast alone will make you want to come back to the island time and again—she is truly the Greek Martha Stewart! She makes the most delicious jams, Greek pastries, breads and desserts every day for guests to enjoy. The meats and cheeses are all sourced from Mykonos, and the honey comes from a small farm on the neighboring island of Tinos. It’s all served on beautiful antique plates and silverware, some of which belonged to Athina’s grandmother. To top it off, Athanasios’ Greek coffee is the best we’ve ever tasted!
Parting words… Post-vacation goals include learning to properly make olive bread, apricot jam, and Greek coffee to bring a touch of Aether to our breakfasts at home while counting the days until our next visit!
Dates of stay… June 16-22, 2024
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