Kouros Hotel & Suites, Mykonos: Babymoon in style at a Greek island haven

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For your last holiday together before life as you know it changes, make it something special.

When you’re having your first baby, everyone tells you to make the most of those final months of coupledom before you become a party of three – easier said than done when you’re likely contending with nausea, fatigue, insomnia and the myriad other delights of pregnancy.

Planning a babymoon can feel overwhelming when you’re just trying to get through those fraught early months, and it’s hard to know when is the best time to travel if it’s your first pregnancy. You don’t want to go too early on when you may be feeling tired and unwell, or too late when you’re feeling bloated and fed up. The second trimester is a popular time to take a babymoon, once you’ve emerged from that perpetually hungover feeling that often accompanies the first 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy with (if you’re lucky) a new lease of life and energy – and, crucially, before you start to feel too heavy or uncomfortable.

The next question is: where? Depending on your holiday style, or indeed how growing a baby is impacting you physically (not to mention emotionally), you might prefer a break that’s as serene and relaxing as possible or a fun final adventure with your partner.

I wanted to go somewhere not too hot, next to the sea (that breeze is essential), with fresh, light food and a spa so my partner and I could pamper ourselves with some indulgent treatments. Somewhere tranquil and quiet, but walking distance from a town for easy access to shops and restaurants so we could explore the local area when energy levels allowed, without it feeling like too much of a mission. Having always wanted to visit the Greek islands and with temperatures not expected to exceed 27°C, shoulder season in Mykonos ticked all my boxes. While it might be famous for its party scene, if R&R is more your vibe, there’s plenty to be found on this beautiful island with its crystal blue waters, Cycladic architecture and your pick of luxury accommodation.

Speaking of luxury accommodation, my partner and I stayed at Kouros, a five-star boutique hotel set on a cliffside just a 15-minute drive from the airport (transfers are complimentary if you book direct). It’s conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from Mykonos town – close enough to walk in and explore the vibrant streets, bars and restaurants, but far enough away from the buzz to feel like a peaceful haven to retreat to.

A blend of contemporary and traditional architecture, renovated in 2018 by French designer Fabienne Spahn, the aesthetic is fresh and modern; all bright open spaces with vast windows and cool marble floors. Winding stone steps take you down the cliffside past the whitewashed apartments and the spa to the restaurant area and stunning infinity pool overlooking the ocean, with comfy day beds perfect for whiling away an afternoon with a summer read and mocktail in hand.

For those pregnant women concerned about the heat (hi, hello), the saltwater pool is refreshingly chilly, although even when the temperatures edged into the 30s (never trust the forecast), the perma breeze stopped it from ever feeling oppressively hot – not for nothing is Mykonos’s nickname ‘the island of the winds’. The service is exceptional, both in the restaurant and at the front desk, with friendly staff happy to arrange taxis, offer personal restaurant recommendations and give general advice about the island.

Elegant, minimalist and cool – both literally (blessed be AC) and in style terms, with design-led accents mixed with natural boho touches like rattan lampshades, raffia fringed mirrors and billowing gauzy curtains. Korres products line the hydrotherapy shower, and our room had a private terrace with sun loungers, a hot tub and a view out over the sea.

You don’t miss a trick, do you? Yep, the hotel’s Zoe spa features a Turkish hammam, chromatherapy rain shower and aromatherapy hot tub. As I’m expecting, I sadly had to forgo the core body temperature-raising activities, but got thoroughly stuck into the treatment menu and indulged in a luxurious facial. There’s also a well equipped fitness room if you’re the type of person who point blank refuses to compromise on your workout routine even when you’re on holiday. Thankfully, I don’t suffer from this condition.

Kouros’ Narcissus restaurant, with its panoramic views over the Aegean, serves up delicious fare that’s both fresh and indulgent, featuring local ingredients sourced from Mykonian markets. Picture yourself eating lobster linguine followed by a divine chocolate ganache at golden hour, as the last rays of the lingering sun warm your skin before it melts into the sea. Heaven. The breakfast spreads are particularly good, with a la carte options as well as an extensive buffet. Our favourites were the Mykonian figs with cream cheese and lavender honey, and the green pie: poached eggs with spinach, herbs, Greek yoghurt and feta. Fresh juice, iced coffee and a bowl of chopped tropical fruit rounded things off nicely, and if you manage to resist the cakes and pastries, well, you’re a stronger woman than me.

Lots! Walk the 10 minutes down the hill to charming Mykonos town with its famous white painted Greek architecture, blue shutters and tumbling curtains of fuchsia bougainvillea and go exploring. Grab some lunch – try Raya in picturesque Little Venice – or a coffee on the seafront, before meandering through the winding cobblestone passageways in search of treasure. You’ll find local honeys and oils, hand-carved wooden bowls, Greek baklava, linens and cottons galore, plus handmade jewellery and leather goods. Do yourself a favour, though, and get a cab back up the hill with all that shopping – it may have felt like a gentle slope on the way down, but don’t be fooled.

Head to the luxurious Fteliá Mykonos Beach Club to laze on plump, millennial pink beach beds and relax with chilled beats above the secluded Fteliá bay. Cool off with a dip in the sea before feasting at its incredible seafood restaurant. Or if you’re a pool person rather than a beach person, book a poolside experience at lifestyle hotel Destino Pacha and make the most of two pool areas with comfy sofas, sunbeds and private cabanas overlooking the sea, a lively bar, resident DJs and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant.

There’s also a dreamy spa where I had an exceptionally skilful mother-to-be massage – worth the visit alone. (Can’t bring yourself to leave? Rooms start at £270).

For a night out to remember – because let’s be real, with a little one about to turn your life upside down, they’ll likely be in short supply for a while – book a table at Lío in Mykonos town (liomykonos.com). A cabaret dining experience followed by club night set in an incredible secret garden, it’s a rollicking good show and a feast for the senses – with an exquisite menu for good measure.

Pregnancy fatigue hitting you hard? Some of our favourite days were spent just chilling out together at Kouros doing precisely zero and being waited on by the incredibly attentive staff. Lie back and relax with your feet up, novel in hand and a sparkling pool at your feet. Luxuriate in the warm sea breeze, take a nap. Maybe later watch the sun set from your private hot tub. After all, if babymoons are about anything, it’s rest, romance and enjoying each other’s company.

Prices at Kouros Hotel & Suites start at £468 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information, visit kouroshotelmykonos.gr

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