Baba Houlakia

Baba Houlakia belongs to a quieter Mykonos, one of pebbled coves, unhurried breakfasts and long views across the Aegean. Set above Houlakia Bay, this small, family-run retreat has just eight rooms and none of the choreography of a large resort. It suits couples, solo travellers and small families who want space to slow down without giving up easy access to Mykonos Town. The mood is personal rather than polished, with hosts who share their favourite corners of the island and a sea-facing terrace that naturally becomes the centre of the day.

Where You Sleep

The eight rooms are arranged as five suites, two doubles and one duplex, each with its own entrance. That simple layout gives the property a sense of privacy rarely found in a conventional hotel, with no shared interior corridors and little disturbance from other guests. Interiors take their cue from Cycladic architecture, combining whitewashed walls and pale natural tones with wooden floors, exposed beams and occasional flashes of colour.

The suites are the most generous, with approximately 40 square metres of open-plan space, queen-size beds, sitting areas and private terraces looking towards the garden or sea. The duplex is arranged over two levels, linked by a stone staircase, with a balcony facing the Aegean. The two double rooms are slightly smaller but still spacious, opening onto garden terraces.

This is not a place of elaborate in-room theatre. Its appeal lies instead in the sense of breathing room, independent access and proximity to the shore. Air conditioning, private bathrooms and outdoor space provide the practical comforts, while the surrounding gardens, hammocks and terraces encourage guests to spend much of the day outside.

A Bit of History

Baba Houlakia began in 2016, when Stefanos converted a collection of neglected buildings belonging to his family into an intimate hotel. He and his partner Banu brought influences from time spent in India into the relaxed atmosphere, colourful artwork and yoga spaces, while retaining the whitewashed forms, stonework and planting associated with Mykonos. The name “Baba” reflects that connection; “Houlakia” firmly roots the property in its bay.

The result feels less like a themed design project than a personal expression of places they have known. Hand-built furniture and informal outdoor spaces reinforce the sense that the property has grown gradually, shaped by the people who run it rather than by a hotel formula.

Experiences, Services & Local Discoveries

Mornings begin on the sea-view terrace with an à la carte breakfast rather than a buffet. Coffee arrives as guests settle into the view, and the pace is deliberately leisurely. Later in the day, the same terrace becomes a relaxed café-bar and a natural meeting point for an evening drink. Spyros, the property’s much-mentioned host and bartender, is central to the experience, mixing cocktails and offering thoughtful recommendations for beaches, tavernas and quieter parts of the island. Guest reviews repeatedly single out the warmth and attentiveness of the hospitality.

Wooden platforms and peaceful corners within the garden provide space for yoga, reading or simply staying still. The atmosphere is sociable when guests seek company, but there is enough room to retreat to a hammock or private terrace.

Houlakia Beach lies around 100 metres below the property. It is known for its rounded pebbles and undeveloped shoreline, so it is better suited to quiet walks, sunsets and looking out to sea than to conventional sunbathing. A sandier, family-friendly beach can be found around Agios Stefanos, along with tavernas and everyday amenities.

The Armenistis Lighthouse is a few minutes away by car and offers broad views across the Aegean towards Tinos. Mykonos Town is close enough for dinner, shopping or a late night out, yet sufficiently removed that the noise and crowds do not reach Houlakia Bay.

We Think You’ll Love

• The contrast between the stillness of Houlakia Bay and the easy reach of Mykonos Town.
• Breakfast and evening drinks on the sea-facing terrace.
• The privacy created by eight rooms with independent entrances.
• Spyros’s generous local knowledge and instinctive hospitality.
• Hammocks, garden corners and yoga platforms that make doing very little feel entirely natural.

Getting There & Getting Around: You Should Know

Baba Houlakia is approximately 4.5 kilometres from Mykonos Town and around 100 metres from the pebbled shoreline. The drive into town usually takes between seven and fifteen minutes, depending on traffic, which can be heavy during the summer months.

A hire car is strongly recommended. Houlakia is deliberately removed from the island’s busiest areas, and having your own transport makes it far easier to reach beaches, villages and restaurants without relying on taxis. Parking is available at the property, according to both its published guest feedback and independent reviews.

Mykonos Airport is roughly eight kilometres away. Guests planning to use taxis should allow a generous transport budget and arrange journeys in advance during July and August, when demand across the island is high.

Houlakia itself is quiet and relatively undeveloped. Travellers looking for beach clubs, organised sunbeds or a lively promenade will need to drive elsewhere. Those who value sea air, privacy and calm evenings are likely to see that distance from the crowds as the principal reason to stay.