Panoptis Escape

"I want to begin by giving this review some balance. The hotel is perhaps the most stunning hotel I have ever stayed in. If you are fortunate enough to stay in one of the one bedroom suites or villas, they are breathtaking, magazine perfect and exactly what you picture when you dream of Mykonos. The food is outstanding, and the breakfast is exceptional. Unfortunately, the way the hotel handled our Hilton Honors Gold benefits and three separate reservations is the reason I have given it one star. Hilton Gold members are eligible for a one category upgrade, subject to availability. However, the hotel appeared determined not to honor this benefit unless we paid substantially more. Upon arrival, they insisted on checking us into the lowest category room. That room was small, awkwardly designed and had only a partial view. For approximately $1,200 per night during the season, or the equivalent number of Hilton points, it offered very poor value compared with other five star hotels in Mykonos. After approximately 90 minutes of discussions at reception, we were offered a one bedroom villa for an additional $600 per night. We refused to pay this, and the hotel then miraculously found a one bedroom villa without the additional charge. This made it difficult to accept that an upgrade had not previously been available. It is also important to explain the difference between the upgrade categories. The one category upgrade and the two category upgrade were both one bedroom accommodations. The hotel classified the villa as a two category upgrade, but this distinction did not reflect the actual quality of the rooms. In our opinion, the one category upgrade had a better layout, was more visually stunning and felt considerably more luxurious. We were not requesting the most expensive room available. We were simply asking the hotel to honor the one category upgrade associated with our Hilton Gold status. The hotel’s insistence that we pay an additional $600 per night for the supposed two category upgrade was particularly difficult to understand when the one category upgrade was, in our view, the more desirable accommodation. The same problem arose again on our final night, which was booked under a separate reservation. We were told that we would have to move back to the original lower category room unless we paid the $600 upgrade fee. Rather than accept a room that we felt did not reflect either the description or the price paid, we decided to leave and did not check in or stay for the final night. The manager met with us personally and said he would do anything possible to make us happy, even offering a complimentary dinner at his favorite restaurant. However, when we actually left the hotel, he refused to refund the unused final night reservation or provide any of the remedies that had previously been discussed. The main swimming pool was also disappointing. While it is picture perfect, it is practically unusable. The water was extremely cold, and the unusual bamboo loungers made the area uncomfortable. Unless you have a villa with its own pool, this significantly limits the overall resort experience. That is what makes this review so unfortunate. Our two days in the one bedroom villa genuinely felt like paradise, yet I would give up that experience in a heartbeat to avoid dealing with the hotel’s handling of our reservations and Hilton benefits again. The issue was not simply that an upgrade was unavailable. The hotel was willing to provide upgraded accommodation for an additional $600 per night and then provided it without charge only after prolonged negotiations. That inconsistency seriously damaged our trust. I fully expect management to respond to this review and present a very different account. However, based on our direct experience, any such response will not reflect the reality of what happened or what the hotel was actually prepared to do when given the opportunity to resolve the matter in person. This is an extraordinarily beautiful property, but beauty alone cannot compensate for an experience that left us feeling pressured, misled and deeply disappointed. Based on our experience, Hilton Honors members should not assume their status benefits will be meaningfully recognized here without a substantial additional payment."

"It was an amazing stay! We loved it! Also the food was absolutely amazing, and the hotel grounds are beautiful! The staff are extremely well organized and always friendly."

"Stunning location high above the sea with a view of Naxos and Paros in the distance. It's away from the crazy so if you are looking from a total switch off it is a perfect place. Definitely more couples vibe than families, would also suit friends, but it does not have a party atmosphere. It is quiet, with a sophisticated feel. We had an incredible room with a pool, loved everything about it. Spacious with quality furnishings and the beds were really comfortable. There are a couple of helipads nearby so you do get some noise from that, but it is very occasional and not many a day. I think the most we had in a week was about 4 in one day, albeit one morning one came at just after 7am, which wasn't great. The staff are super friendly and helpful. We had a WA number for all our requests like dinner reservations and other activities. There is a free shuttle to other hotels in the same group nearby so you can go there to eat if you don't want to go into town. The only downside for us is that it's hard to walk many places because it is super steep. We did walk to Elia beach one day, but even going down is hard because of the hill. If you walk up instead of getting the shuttle it is very hard work. There isn't much other stuff immediately around so if you want to be walking to shops and restaurants and bars easily, this isn't the hotel for you. We didn't mind as it was a total getaway and we chilled. There is no gym on site, but I think you can use at one of the local hotels. There is a bar, which has great views and the drinks are brilliant. The restaurant was good quality too and we had breakfast most days, which was also nice."