From its perch on a non-public peninsula overlooking the glowing Aegean Sea, Santa Marina has lengthy quietly reigned because the main luxurious escape on the glitzy Greek island of Mykonos. With its gorgeous setting and considerate design, Santa Marina stands as a vacation spot lodge in its personal proper – however its loyal returning company will let you know it’s the resort’s heat, timeless Greek hospitality that actually units it aside.
Earlier than Mykonos turned the sun-kissed playground of the worldwide jet set, Santa Marina started life as a humble stone visitor home constructed among the many hills of Ornos Bay, on a plot that additionally included a pigeon home, a windmill, and a small chapel that might give its title to the lodge. Entrepreneur Elias Papageorgiou purchased the land in 1979 and over the following 4 and a half many years, additions and renovations reworked the property from a non-public summer time house for his family and friends into the island’s primary luxurious lodge, whereas by no means dropping its homely, intimate character.
Santa Marina’s trendy interiors had been dreamt up by designer Silvina Macipe Krontiras, a longtime good friend and visitor of the lodge, in keeping with the imaginative and prescient of Christina Papageorgious, Elias’s daughter, who took over stewardship of the lodge in 2012. Collectively, they eschewed the Cycladic clichés of small openings and white-on-white minimalism and embraced a extra worldwide and textured aesthetic that gave centre stage to the intense blues of the Aegean, with floor-to-ceiling home windows inviting the ocean into each room, softened by heat, tan-toned wooden, raffia, and beneficiant touches of bamboo. Classic-style journey trunks function bedside tables, whereas rattan headboards and hanging lanterns carry a homely, lived-in glow. The 105 rooms and suites every include their very own terraces, however it’s the twelve villas set increased on the cliff that declare essentially the most spectacular views, full with secluded swimming pools, spacious patios, and a heightened sense of privateness. The latest addition is the three-story Windmill suite, a landmark of the property’s heritage lovingly restored as a comfy, characterful retreat.
Past the bedrooms, Santa Marina unfolds throughout the cliffside like a tranquil village, with its whitewashed villas cascading down in direction of the Aegean amid sweeping lawns fringed by aromatic rosemary, lavender, and bursts of blooming oleanders – a uncommon flourish of color on Mykonos’s in any other case barren panorama. The adults-only Oasis saltwater infinity pool, framed by 4 sunken cabanas, provides spectacular sea views, whereas children can take pleasure in a second pool in a separate location adjoining to a playground: this can be a lodge that strikes a uncommon stability between laid-back luxurious and real family-friendly attraction.
Elsewhere on the grounds, there’s a tennis courtroom (personal classes can be found) and a health heart outfitted with the most recent Technogym gear for cardio and weight coaching. Right here you’ll additionally discover the Ginkgo Spa with its personal steam room and sauna (free to make use of for all company), and an in depth menu of ESPA therapeutic massage therapies, 111SKIN facial therapies, and Ginkgo Spa specialities together with the normal hammam ritual. Better of all, Santa Marina is the one resort on the island with its personal personal seaside, a 150m curve of golden sand shielded from the island’s fierce winds, the place lodge company can lounge below yellow-and-white parasols and drinks arrive on cue courtesy of the ever-attentive workers.
Throughout the resort, service is phenomenal. That is the type of five-star lodge the place housekeeping attunes to the rhythms and routines of your day and has your room turned down by the point you’ve completed your afternoon exercise. Order your espresso a sure approach as soon as, and will probably be remembered the following morning (the identical goes in your favourite cocktail). Different little touches depend for lots, too. On arrival, company obtain a thoughtfully curated welcome pack that features a hand-illustrated map of Mykonos. It’s greater than only a fairly memento: the map options private suggestions from the lodge’s workers and traces scenic walks throughout the island and thru Mykonos City’s labyrinth of white-washed boutiques and tucked-away taverns.
In the meantime, the concierge is at all times readily available to assist tailor coastal excursions. Santa Marina owns two Kaiki crusing boats, conventional wood vessels that may be chartered with skipper and crew to discover the islands’ hidden coves and sandy seashores. For one thing speedier, RIB boats are on standby to spirit you to the seaside membership in model or throughout the ocean to the legendary island of Delos. The sacred birthplace of the gods Apollo and Artemis, Delos is a sun-bleached open-air museum, an enormous archaeological marvel the place guests wander among the many crumbling columns, historical amphitheatres, and open temples with out the heaving crowds you’ll discover at different historic websites like Pompeii. Unmissable.
A complete buffet-style breakfast is served up at Santa Marina’s all-day restaurant, Elais. Named after a princess from Delos and daughter of Apollo, Elais is ready excessive on the cliffside, amid the lodge gardens with panoramic views of the ocean and the superyachts moored offshore. The kitchen celebrates conventional native fare, starting with beneficiant mezze platters and sizzling starters like keftedakia – spiced meatballs simmered in wealthy tomato sauce. Signature Mykonian pasta dishes, crisp Greek salads topped with barrel-aged feta, and the day’s contemporary catch grilled to perfection are among the many different choices rounding out the menu. For one thing extra informal, company can go for a basic rooster gyros or a hearty membership sandwich.
Tucked beneath the cliffs beneath, overlooking Santa Marina’s personal seaside, is Buddha Bar, an elegant restaurant that easily transitions into an unique late-night seaside bar, drawing revellers from throughout the island. The ever-evolving pan-Asian menu retains issues contemporary, with staples like spicy salmon sashimi, yellowtail rolls, and standout dishes equivalent to crispy lacquered Peking-style or indulgent Kagoshima A5 Wagyu. Cocktails are playful and artistic – I requested the server for one thing bitter, and with a conspiratorial grin, he returned with the ¿oye como va?: a daring mix of mezcal, tequila, inexperienced chartreuse, and apple-lemongrass syrup. Floating within the foam had been the phrases “life is healthier while you’re drunk”. Maybe. Or perhaps it’s merely higher while you’re sipping cocktails at sundown, music drifting on the breeze, on the most interesting lodge on Greece’s most trendy island.
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