Katikies Mykonos Review: My Friend’s Honest Take (2/10)
I’ll be interviewing my friend for this Katikies Mykonos review. She visited Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos on a trip with her two sons and while she adored her Santorini stay, this Mykonos one did not live up to her expectations.
My friend is one who loves clean, minimalist design and values excellence. She notices details like the music being too loud and needs the setting to be just right! If we are ever sat at a less than ideal table, she’s the one in the friend group to ask for a better spot.
Her adult sons weren’t quite as big of a critic of this stay, but overall it didn’t come anywhere close to her hotel experiences in Athens or Santorini.
Now that you know where she is coming from, let’s get into the details of this Katikies Mykonos review.
*It’s worth noting from the onset that she was so uninspired by her stay that she didn’t take any photos! All photos in this blog post are from my own trip to Mykonos and I didn’t stay at this hotel.
First Impressions and Check-In
My friend’s first impression of Katikies Mykonos was that it was “old and worn out.” She said, “it had the look that it was beautiful about 15 years ago.” And the person who recommended it stayed there about a decade ago, give or take a couple years.
Despite her first impressions of the property, the staff was extraordinarily kind and sweet, she recalled. However, the uniforms looked worn and tattered by her estimation.
While she was telling me of her Katikies Mykonos arrival, I started looking through recent photos on Google Maps. Agreeing with me the photos looked promising, she insisted the reality told a very different story.
When researching originally, she had thought based on the photos that this place would be a good stay and she had a friend mention it was nice, but she said the photos made it look much better than in person.
Overall, the kindness of the employees could not save what was a negative first impression of the property.
The Room at Katikies Mykonos
The room didn’t salvage her first impressions unfortunately, as her comments were “old, worn out, a little depressing. It’s like you came there a decade too late. You missed its prime.”
The bed wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. The best she could muster was “it was okay,” so you can experience a good night’s sleep, but may not reach “sleeping like a baby” status.
It’s like you came there a decade too late.
There were no standouts for the room itself as her only positive response went back to the staff. Their service was the saving grace of her experience.
The bathroom “had this annoying sensor light that even when I was in my bed and shifted, the light would go on.” And in keeping with her first impressions, the bathroom was also outdated.
My friend’s sentiments by this point were the whole place needs a rehab project.
Amenities and Facilities
The amenities didn’t make up for any of her initial impressions. “I didn’t go in the pool because it looked old and unappealing. The loungers, umbrellas, everything looked old and worn.”
She did go to the spa, but sadly it also didn’t measure up. The massage was “mediocre” and the facilities outdated, so overall she was unimpressed.
However, fitting with her experience overall the staff was always “kind, sweet, and attentive.”
The WiFi also worked fine and she said they never experienced any issues.
Dining
Breakfast was included with her reservation, but she said it was “subpar.” Contrasting breakfast here with her experience at Andronis Luxury Suites in Santorini, where she loved the breakfast!
My friend did not like the breakfast but was pleased with the coffee. One son ordered an omelette both days and did not enjoy it, while the other son said the gluten free toast was good and he was generally satisfied with the meal.
Since her breakfast and overall impression of this hotel wasn’t great, she didn’t eat any other meals at Katikies Mykonos.
Service: The One Bright Spot
The two points awarded in this Katikies Mykonos review are because of the hotel staff! The service was the only bright spot in her opinion. She didn’t have a single bad thing to say or mediocre experience when it came to the staff.
Of course, if we contrast that with her Andronis Luxury Suites stay in Santorini, she loved the hotel AND the staff was excellent. So her Santorini stay exceeded her expectations, while this Mykonos hotel left her wondering why it was ever recommended in the first place.
Location of Katikies Mykonos – Agios Ioannis
I’m not going to sugarcoat it because this is one of the most important factors when deciding where to stay: my friend hated the location for multiple reasons.
I wasn’t sure if this location would be good as it’s quite close to Mykonos Town. However, my friend said she didn’t like the area. It was both inconvenient and uninspiring. The view of the water was nice, but she said the electrical wires and unpaved parking lot ruined it.
Most meals would be enjoyed in Mykonos Town, but they were also repeat customers at a beach club called Nammos Hotel Mykonos. While they only utilized the beach club, I know they would have rather stayed here or in Mykonos Town than the area around Katikies Mykonos.
She also said the area was not walkable or inspiring (to her). The drive to Mykonos Town is about 16 minutes without traffic or an hour walk. While it’s closer than most beaches, it’s not ideal if you want walkability.
Additionally, my personal recommendation when deciding where to stay in Mykonos is to base yourself in Mykonos Town for part or most of your time on the island and a Mykonos beach for a night or two of your trip. Mykonos Town is where all the action is, so having to go back and forth can really add up both in money and time.
Check out Best Area to Stay in Mykonos: A Complete Guide
What to Know Before You Book
My friend admitted the recent photos fooled her and are not accurate. The place looks dated, but if that doesn’t bother you and it works for your time in Mykonos, the staff offers excellent service!
Their stay was at the end of May, but that wouldn’t impact her criticisms of this property.
If you don’t mind a weathered look, like the location being close to town but not in it, and value excellent service, this could be a place to consider for your Mykonos trip.
Where to Stay in Mykonos Instead
Ultimately, I recommend staying in Mykonos Town or within walking distance for most of your time in Mykonos. That is what I did and it worked out perfectly, and then I spent one night at the beach.
For a luxury stay within a 15 to 20 minute walk of Mykonos Town, I’d suggest Cavo Tagoo Mykonos as it’s well reviewed. It’s just north of Mykonos Town, so a short drive or walk can put you in the action.
Paralia Platis Gialos is a gorgeous beach and a very convenient one to stay at as well. There were some restaurants within walking distance of our hotel (Acrogiali Beach Hotel) and since my friend and I had already enjoyed our time in Mykonos Town, we didn’t need to head there. Acrogiali Beach Hotel is a good mid-range option, but there are more options near or on this beach as well.
My friend and her two sons really enjoyed the NAMMOS beach club, so if you’re looking for a good luxury option on a beach, consider Nammos Hotel Mykonos (none of us stayed there, though).
If you want to explore where to stay in more detail, check out the Best Area to Stay in Mykonos: A Complete Guide.
FAQ
Is Katikies Mykonos worth it?
According to my friend, it is NOT worth it.
Is it walkable to Mykonos Town or beaches?
No, it is not walkable to Mykonos Town as it’s about a one-hour walk. There are beaches in the area, but the beaches Mykonos is known for would require a drive.
Is breakfast included?
Breakfast can be included, but always check your specific reservation.
Final Thoughts on This Katikies Mykonos Review
Well, I hope you know by now I won’t lie. My friend did not like this hotel and does not recommend it. She actually said she wouldn’t stay there again IF they paid HER!
Her sons didn’t think it was that bad, so in my opinion, if you are able to get a good deal and don’t mind a more weathered hotel, you may enjoy the excellent service.
If the details really matter to you this would be a skip. While I can personally overlook the things that bother my friend, I would feel differently if I’m paying a lot of money. Ultimately, only you can decide if it’s worth it for you, but I hope this Katikies Mykonos review painted a good enough picture for you to decide.
Mykonos does not have a shortage of hotels, so consider looking elsewhere unless the hotel reports recent renovations.
