Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In Mykonos

The Greek island of Mykonos is one of the most popular gay destinations in the world. An excellent Mediterranean climate, seductive beaches, and lots of LGBTQ-friendly spaces put Mykonos right up there on the gay travel map. Although there are only two exclusively gay hotels here, there are plenty of other friendly establishments that more than welcome LGBTQ travelers. While most of the gay hotels in Mykonos are clustered around the Old Town, there were other factors we considered while coming up with this list. Besides the location, we also looked at the amenities, the scale and efficiency of the service, and the category of the hotel, considering travelers have different budgets. We also looked at hotels that are authentically Mykonian in character, as we love staying at hotels that radiate the local life, architecture, and feel in general.

Old Town is also where the gay nightlife takes off. During the summer, especially during the XLSIOR International Summer Gay Festival. Like other summer party hot spots like Sitges and Phuket, Mykonos also attracts a huge gay crowd in the summer. While in Mykonos for the XLSIOR festival, we also loved getting away from the crowds for a while on this Happy Cruise to Rhenia and Little Venice. It’s a fabulous and scenic boat trip to enjoy the waters of the Aegean Sea.

So, pack your bikinis, your beach sandals, and your summer vibe, and head on to Mykonos, the “Island of the Winds.”

Andronikos Hotel

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Best adults-only resort. If you’re in Mykonos just to relax and while away your time in a beautiful setting, Andronikos Hotel is for you. This stylish ‘adults only’ boutique resort is located a little away from Mykonos Town on a small hilltop. However, it’s not too far away from gay nightlife if you’re looking to party. It’s about half an hour’s walk to town from here, but there’s even a shuttle twice a day from the hotel. So, the shuttle was very convenient for when we didn’t feel like a walk.

We loved the stunning rooms here, which fuse the classic style of Greece with contemporary design. Each distinctively styled room is equipped with a minibar and free Wi-fi. In fact, most rooms, including the one we chose, also feature a private jacuzzi. Overall, you can choose rooms with a sea view, garden view, or pool view. The lovely outdoor pool with Greek columns around the border beckoned to us when we wanted to cool off. We wanted to try out delicious Greek cuisine, which was served in the award-winning Greek restaurant onsite. So, we didn’t have to go far for that either! And when we wanted to let our hair down and just enjoy a drink, the Orange Blue Bar is another great place on the property. These are some of the great amenities you can look forward to at Andronikos, one of the best gay-friendly hotels in Mykonos.

Alkyon Hotel

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One of the best gay hotels in Mykonos, Greece, is the Alkyon Hotel. We especially loved the location of the hotel on a hill, which meant amazing views of the Aegean Sea and Mykonos. Some of the best views are from the hotel’s terrace pool, which was the perfect place to cool off after walking around Mykonos all day. It’s a 10-minute walk to the town from the hotel and about 15 minutes to gay bars Babylon and Jackie O. Just opposite the hotel, we found a bus stop with frequent service, so exploring the area was easy. The hotel also has a free shuttle service to and from the port and airport.

Greek island-styled spacious rooms, equipped with all the necessities such as satellite TV and an ensuite bathroom with a bathtub, add to the comfort of staying here. While the standard rooms are quite small without views, we went for the sea-view rooms, which are gorgeous. Large French windows opened out onto a private balcony, offering spectacular views.

Every morning, we dug into breakfast that was served on a lovely terrace that looked out to the sea. We also ordered food from the bar throughout the day. The best bit is that the pool bar even serves cocktails and snacks.

Carbonaki Hotel

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Since we wanted to get an authentic feel of Mykonos, we looked at the family-run Carbonaki Hotel. This charming hotel is one of many gay-friendly hotels in Mykonos. Located almost at the center of Mykonos town, staying at this hotel put us close to where all the gay action is. In fact, the At54 gay club is just a five-minute walk away.

Although the rooms at the hotel are on the smaller side, we found them to be well-maintained and stylishly furnished. The superior rooms have a private balcony, but the rooms with shared courtyards are not too bad either. If you want to splurge, our recommendation is the superior rooms, which is where we stayed. A mini-fridge, safety box, and complimentary toiletries are some of the amenities in all of the rooms.

Despite being a family-run hotel, Carbonaki doesn’t skimp on the amenities. For instance, we loved the large outdoor hot tub, which sits right next to an even larger outdoor pool and is extremely popular with guests. We spent evenings sipping drinks and cocktails from the bar all around the indoor and outdoor lounge areas. The best feature, though, is the delicious continental breakfast, which they even served in the comfort of our room.

Elena Hotel

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Best value for money. When looking for affordable gay-friendly hotels in Mykonos, we found the Elena Hotel to be the best choice for us. What we loved about the hotel was that the rooms were not only comfortable but also featured traditional Greek elements. So, staying here was as affordable as it was authentic. What’s more, all rooms come with fridges, towels, private bathrooms, and flatscreen TVs, which meant that our stay here was very comfortable as well.

The best part about the hotel is that it’s great outside the rooms too. For example, we hung out on the beautiful terrace, which offers great views of the Aegean Sea and Mykonos. When we were hungry, the onsite Greek restaurant that serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine awaited us.

Staying here also put us in close proximity to the restaurants and bars in Chora. A 15-minute walk took us to the seaside gay bars in the area. Alternatively, we could catch a bus to our favorite nightspots from the Southern Bus Station, just five minutes away. Finally, there’s also an airport shuttle from the hotel.

Mykonos Theoxenia Boutique Hotel

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Best boutique hotel. Mykonos Theoxenia Boutique Hotel is one of the most unique LGBTQ-friendly boutique hotels on the island. We found the minimalistic modern Green aesthetic a refreshing counterpoint to the island’s ubiquitous Cycladic whitewashed cottage aesthetic. For us design-focused people, the hotel’s seven geometrically laid-out rectangles amidst the large garden were very pleasing to the eye. Moreover, we loved the greenery all around, with fragrant herbs, cacti, and olive trees. The hotel, which actually opened in 1960, also offers killer views of Chora’s famous windmills. Back in the day, famous people like Brigitte Bardot have been said to have partied here!

“Theoxenia is all about barefoot luxury and feels like it’s own little world in the middle of Mykonos. Not only are the amneities top-notch but also the staff is very warm, friendly, and super-helpful when it came to local tips!”

WOW Travel

Our check-in was superb, with a complimentary welcome package. We had the choice of 49 rooms and suites with bespoke furnishings, upholstered walls, and serene pale marble bathrooms. What we liked even better is that all the terraces face either the pool garden or the ocean; we went for an ocean-facing one to get a taste of Greek island living. Stepping outside the room was equally refreshing, especially when relaxing on the dove-grey loungers by the pool. As we lay there, we enjoyed excellent service from the poolside Kou Kou Bar, ordering drinks, burgers, tacos, and salads. When hunger came calling, the main restaurant is the place to dig into food. The complimentary Greek breakfast every morning was the cherry on top. Did you know that the hotel has a spa too, where we checked out the relaxation and beauty treatments? Yes!

Hermes Mykonos Hotel

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Best views. Although Hermes Mykonos is just about 500m from the center of town, its stunning hillside location makes it feel much further away. That said, walking towards the town and back is a breeze and made for an excellent way for us to explore the streets and bylanes of the island. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the popular gay nightspots in the center of the town. That’s why this strategic location also gives you some of the best views of the surroundings, making it one of the best hotels in Mykonos.

You can expect classy, stylish rooms at this gorgeous LGBTQ-friendly hotel. Traditional Greek motifs enhance the monochrome color scheme of the rooms, which made for some very nice photos when we checked in. The decorative wood and iron furnishings only add to the rustic-romantic aesthetic. We went for the deluxe room, which has a private sea-facing balcony. Couples visiting this place could also go in for the suites, which are outfitted with standalone stone bathtubs.

The hotel also has a gorgeous outdoor pool with a poolside bar, which we found great for when we weren’t exploring the island. Our days began with a buffet breakfast in the breakfast room with gorgeous Aegean Sea views. When we wanted to explore, we booked bicycles and car rentals from the 24-hour front desk easily.

Ilio Maris

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The magnificent views of the windmills and the Aegean Sea are only one of the reasons why we favored the Ilio Maris Hotel. Its strategic location on the border of Mykonos Town is the other reason why we chose it, as it offers easy access to the beaches as well as the gay scene in Mykonos. Another great thing about the location is that the bus station is also less than five minutes away. This means that we had easy access to the rest of the island, too, with the hotel being the perfect base for exploring.

Ilio Maris might be one of the oldest hotels on the island, but the renovation in 2010 completely changed its appearance. The elegant guest rooms are embellished with grey textured walls and modern furnishings that made our stay very comfortable. But what really impressed us in the rooms were the private balconies that looked out to the sea. If you’re traveling with friends, it’s a good idea to book the triple rooms.

The large swimming pool also offers stunning views of the sea. We ended up spending a lot of time by the pool because of the swanky bar and the uber-comfy sun loungers.

Destino Pacha Mykonos

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For those looking to up the luxury quotient, it couldn’t get better than the Destino Pacha Mykonos. Location-wise, it’s probably one of the best gay-friendly hotels in Mykonos. Overlooking the Aegean Sea from its prime location on the Agios Stefanos cliff, the views from here are quite spectacular.

The hotel capitalizes on this prime spot with guest rooms and public spaces designed to enjoy the view to the maximum. We especially loved the luxury in the 29 rooms and suites, which fuse refined luxury with elegance. Meanwhile, mod-cons such as private luxe bathrooms, TVs, minibars, coffee machines, and terraces made our stay here all the better. We chose a sea-facing room with stunning views, especially since it also comes with a lovely little patio.

The traditional Cycladic style is evident in every space, from the rooms to the poolside and the restaurant. We indulged in a delicious meal at the onsite restaurant and relaxed later on at the poolside lounge and bar. Of course, swimming in the lovely outdoor pool is the perfect way to beat the heat of the Greek sun.

Since the hotel isn’t too far from Mykonos’ beaches like Agios Stefanos Beach and Tourlos Beach, we hopped on to the Full-Day South Coast cruise.

Porto Mykonos

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Not too far from the Old Port, north of the town, you’ll find Porto Mykonos, one of many amazing gay hotels in Mykonos, Greece. Since we enjoy island hopping, we found this hotel to be a great good base for exploring other Greek islands on the South Coast Beach Hopping Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch. Also within easy reach of the hotel is the Northern bus station. Thus, we had no trouble getting to the popular gay Elia Beach and other beaches around the island either. Additionally, the gay nightspots of Chora are a leisurely 15-20 minute stroll from the hotel.

The rooms at the hotel are traditionally designed with modern elements. Many rooms, especially the premium suites, even have balconies that look out to the sea. Nevertheless, they all come with comforts like LCD TVs and deluxe bathrooms.

Having said that, the resort is a great place if you’re looking to spend some quality time around. For one, it has a stunning outdoor swimming pool with a pool bar. There’s even a raised jacuzzi to spend some quiet moments when it gets colder during the fall months. The gym and the sauna aside, we also loved the a la carte restaurant that serves delicious local dishes.

Poseidon Suites

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We wanted to stay somewhere where we could explore the top things to do in Mykonos, hence we chose Poseidon Suites. Not only is it a short walk from popular gay pubs and spots, but also it’s proximate to the beaches on the island as well. While the gay beaches are a short drive, Megali Ammos Beach is just a 15-minute walk. Since it was too hot to walk when we stayed here, we simply hired the hotel’s motor yacht and went out exploring the beaches of Mykonos!

The recent renovation undertaken by the hotel is evident, giving most places in the hotel a brand-new feel. We felt that the lowest category rooms benefited the most from this renovation, putting them almost on par with the rest of the rooms. That’s why we chose the spiffy deluxe double room, which also had a private balcony with excellent partial views of the sea. So, if you’re on a budget, this is not a bad place to be.

What’s even better is that the hotel has a saltwater pool, which provides an excellent sweeping view of the ocean. And thanks to the good poolside bar, it’s a great place to unwind.

Semeli Hotel

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Semeli Hotel is the perfect place to spend a couple of days in Mykonos. What makes this hotel so special is the easy-going island style that is infused with sophistication. This elegantly designed hotel is classy yet muted enough to enhance the beauty of its surroundings. Apart from the luxury and comfort that the hotel offers, another good reason why we chose to stay here is the location. Not only is it slightly away from the bustle of the town, but also it’s just a 10-minute walk to the popular gay bars and clubs. So, we were away from the crowd and yet near to all the happening places in town.

All the rooms at the hotel have a veranda or balcony, but only the suites feature a hot tub on the terrace – like the Junior Suite we stayed in. However, all rooms/suites boast seating areas, flatscreen TVs, marble bathrooms, and exquisite French doors with sea views. But, it’s the exterior of the rooms we fell in love with, which feature whitewashed walls with bright pink bougainvillea and gardens with geraniums. Sigh.

While staying here, we were able to indulge in a wide range of amenities. These include two outdoor pools for basking in the sun while enjoying a swim, a gym, and an excellent spa for the ultimate in relaxation. And, of course, there are two fine-dining restaurants that serve some of the most delicious Greek food we had on the whole island.

Our Verdict!

While we found all these gay-friendly hotels in Mykonos amazing, some were better than others for a few features, which we’ve listed below:

• Best value for money: Elena Hotel
• Best adults-only resort: Andronikos Hotel
• Best boutique hotel: Mykonos Theoxenia Boutique Hotel
• Best views: Hermes Mykonos Hotel

Just So You Know:

• The arrival of the international celebrity Jackie Onassis on Mykonos in the 1970s set the wheels in motion for gay tourism on the island.
• The two main gay beaches in Mykonos are Elia and Super Paradise. While Elia has a long wide beach with a handful of restaurants and bars, Super Paradise is much smaller. Two other smaller gay beaches are Agrari Beach and Paranga Beach. Paranga is infamous for its skinny dipping and cruising area.
• Exclusively gay in Mykonos means only one thing, the Elysium Hotel, which is one of only two exclusively gay hotels on the island. Currently, it’s closed for maintenance and is expected to open sometime next year.

Get Some Culture in Mykonos:

• XLSIOR Mykonos International Summer Gay Festival 2020 – This is one of the most happening gay festivals in the world. Held annually in August, the week-long festival attracts over 30,000 people from the LGBTQ community and their allies from all over the world. The central theme is music, but the spectacular week-long experience also has outdoor and open-air parties, international DJs spinning tunes, hot crowds, and a general hedonistic atmosphere.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Mykonos:

• Babylon – Tucked near the waterfront in Mykonos is this popular gay bar renowned for its beautiful location and outdoor seating on the pier. The bar features nightly drag shows and summertime theme parties.
• Jackie O’s – Just below the famous Paraportiani church in Chora, you’ll find one of the most popular gay bars in Mykonos. Spread over two floors with a big enough space for dancing, the bar belts out the latest music hit and entertains with some excellent drag shows.
• At54 – Open only in the summer, this gay club is one of the largest in Mykonos and is known for its fantastic parties. It’s a great place to meet new people and party the night away.

Best Gay Saunas in Mykonos:

Although Mykonos has a thriving gay culture, the gay sauna scene is still undeveloped. The exclusively gay hotel Elysium did have a sauna, but it’s currently shut for renovation. That said, you could hobnob with gay locals at the gay beaches of Elia and Agrari Beach.