Review of Belvedere Hotel, by Jeroen Bergmans

When it opened in 1990, the Belvedere epitomised the jet-set glamour of Mykonos. Since then a new crop of luxury boutique hotels forced it to adapt and innovate in order to entice its regular clientele of supermodels and celebrities to keep on checking in. Salvation came in the form of super-chef Matsuhisa Nobu and world-renowned interior designer David Rockwell and the Belvedere remains the boutique hotel to be seen in on this fashionable Cycladic isle.

The facilities

Like all boutique hotels in Mykonos, the Belvedere centres around its stunning swimming pool. Well-heeled sun-worshippers spend their days soaking up the spectacular views of Mykonos Town below and the Aegean beyond from sun-loungers and canopied day-beds, occasionally slipping in for a leisurely swim. Elaborate cocktails and the wine-list which spans the 5,000 bottles from the Belvedere's huge, temperature-controlled wine cellar sometimes lure them from the sunshine. Or a leisurely surf on the bar's laptop with free internet access followed by a browse in the hotel's boutique Scoop for this season's last word in designer swimwear.

Even lunch at The Belvedere's eponymous restaurant is a glamorous affair set to a Bossa Nova soundtrack. The menu is modern Mediterranean fare with a Greek twist and the interiors are suitably louche. A web of sculptural dark wood wraps around the raised seating area strewn with piles of scatter cushions and the walls shimmer with mosaics of mother-of-pearl.

Guests often fit in a session in the boutique hotel's fully-equipped gym where silk bougainvillea creeps across the ceiling or book one of the Belvedere Beauty Therapies in the spa. After all, it's essential that they look their best for Mykonos' ultimate dining experience - dinner at Matsuhisa.

At 7.30 p.m. the sunloungers round the pool are replaced with tables, a sea of candles are lit, and sun-kissed high society types dressed in white arrive to feast on signature Nobu dishes including Black Cod with Miso and New Style Sashimi.

The rooms

The 46 rooms at the Belvedere all have balconies or terraces facing the Aegean which are perfect for enjoying the spectacular sunsets over Mykonos town. Interiors are pared-down and elegant with well-chosen antiques. Of the 6 suites, three are family suites.

The three Belvedere New Generation Rooms are all white with aquamarine accents, rosewood closets and state-of-the-art technology including one-touch dimming switches. All rooms will be refurbished by 2010.