I found the quieter side of Mykonos with private beaches and celeb-like luxury – just watch the drinks bill

CIRCLING the tiny island of Mykonos from the air, it’s hard to work out why this little Greek getaway has such a big reputation.

Celebs like Hollywood heart-throb George Clooney, supermodel Naomi Campbell and Love Islander Maura Higgins have all been spotted holidaying here in recent years — turning it into the place to be seen for any A-lister.

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Thousands of sunseekers also pile on to the island, which is just 33 square miles.

Labelled a Greek version of Ibiza, there is a mix of stunning beaches, gorgeous restaurants and bars with stunning sunset views and a pulsating nightlife.

But my wife Anna and I are heading away from the hive of activity of the west coast to the much quieter eastern side.

From our taxi, the rugged, rocky terrain isn’t instantly easy on the eye, with barely any green.

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As we near the end of our 30-minute trip, the whitewashed buildings begin to thin out and we are clearly way off the main drag.

Then after being bounced around on the only dirt track in and out, we reach our home for the week — the Semeli Coast hotel.

The newly built 5H resort is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection and, while definitely not cheap, its immaculate rooms and remote, cliffside location are perfect for a blow-out few days or special trip to celebrate a big birthday or anniversary.

Right on the coast of Merchia Bay, the suites-and-villas hotel features rooms fit for A-listers, complete with their own private infinity pool and sunbathing area.

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If you are after privacy like the celebrities, this is unbeatable.

So comfy were the sunbeds, and so impressive was the view, some days the only time we ventured from this idyllic spot was to eat in the hotel’s restaurant.

A varied breakfast buffet which handily stays open until a very lazy midday meant we could have a slow start.

While in the evenings, the Icare seaside restaurant provides both snack and full menus.

Favourites recommended by the friendly staff included grilled octopus, tuna tartare with smoked fava beans and a stunning slow-cooked lamb served with orzo pasta and confit tomatoes.

Celebrity-spotting

There is also a spa offering a range of massages and treatments, and a gym but the stand-out must be the view you can admire while working out.

A private beach, in its own little cove, meant if we ever tired of our pool we could swim in the Aegean Sea.

When we finally ventured farther afield, we were recommended to hire a car to fully explore the island.

The capital, Mykonos Town, is definitely worth a visit with its maze of high-end boutiques, bars and restaurants.

After days in our peaceful retreat, the hordes of people crammed into the warren-like narrow streets were quite a shock.

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For the best of Mykonos, plan your trip in early spring or late autumn, for a quieter experience.

Another tip for a reasonably priced meal in a stunning setting is the Cine Manto, an open-air cinema in the centre of town that has a great little cafe bar serving up some good value meals.

We also enjoyed a dinner of grilled meat and sipped cocktails while taking in the amazing sunset in one of the many seaside tavernas in Little Venice.

It is all so spellbinding, some tourists have complained they felt fleeced by eager waiters all too willing to top up drinks — only for you then to be hit by a big bill and a sudden return to Earth.

Make sure you are well aware of prices before you order.

We were also told to keep an eye out for the island’s famous pelican, which apparently wanders about, but sadly the bird gave us the slip.

And a night-time stroll along the harbourside, before taking in the 600-year-old windmills the island is famous for, was a great end to the day.

The windmills were clearly built to capitalise on the island’s very notable feature — wind.

It felt like from every spot we were buffeted by the gusts — so much so, we naturally prepared for napkins and hats being blown away by the end of our break.

Even the white-clad buildings have their corners smoothed over to help protect them in the squalls.

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But the beautiful south-coast beaches, with their golden sands and shallow waters, are a great experience.

Confidently, a couple are named Paradise and Super Paradise — and they aren’t far off.

These are the areas ripe for celebrity-spotting and we even witnessed a couple of famous faces among the many Instagrammers posing for the perfect snap.

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It is obvious how this beautiful holiday island has earned its own fame — for its laid-back and luxurious vibes.

After our stay at the Semeli Coast, on the quieter east side of the island, we almost felt like celebrities ourselves.