Boutique lodges and blissful seaside golf equipment show there’s extra to Mykonos than partying.
I’ve by no means been a celebration lady. After I was at college, you’d by no means discover me out at scholar bars; as a substitute, I’d be holed up in my lodging, watching information evaluation exhibits.
I wish to assume I’ve change into fairly extra enjoyable within the intervening decade however, nonetheless, I used to be slightly nervous forward of my go to to Mykonos.
I needn’t have fearful.
Maybe the world’s most well-known occasion island, this Cycladian hotspot actually boasts its justifiable share of untamed events and decadence each 18-year-old and 30-something-year-old me would baulk at – however my expertise couldn’t have been extra completely different.
Arriving at Kivotos Mykonos, set on the banks of the really breathtaking Ornos Bay, I knew I used to be in for a deal with.
One of many first boutique lodges on Mykonos, Kivotos opened its doorways three many years in the past. At this time, it gives luxurious I’d solely dreamed of.
Because of its 30-plus years open, the resort manages to pay tribute to the wealthy conventional heritage of Greece, whereas nonetheless having its finger firmly on the heartbeat.
Historical Greek salads and chiselled statues: My introduction to Kivotos Mykonos
As quickly as I arrive in any resort, the very first thing I do is check the mattress. At Kivotos Mykonos, it’s past comfy with delectable sheets and the perfect pillows I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying my head on.
From that vantage level, I can soak up the remainder of my environment: all white, with Grecian architecture-inspired curves and nods to historic historical past. Suppose: statues of Greek gods on cabinets and within the lavatory, and – my private favorite – a espresso desk modelled after a Greek man – all in white, naturally.
Having settled in, it’s off to the resort’s in-house restaurant, Namah. I’d beforehand eaten at MAVRO, the fantastic restaurant at Kivotos’ sister resort on Santorini, so I do know I’m in for an unbelievable meal.
To begin, the bread basket comes with a twist. On Namah’s menu, you’d be forgiven for being slightly confused as to what’s coming, because it reads: “reference to the way of the Ancients concerning the sourdough bread, the figs and olive oil”.
In precise truth, that’s about as correct an outline because it’s attainable to write down. The sourdough is available in a bread tin, with a mattress of grains and wheat sheaves as a garnish. Dipping it into the fig-infused olive oil, I’m satisfied I’ve simply tasted heaven.
My tremendous pleasant waiter insists I attempt Namah’s twist on the Greek salad – a really wonderful suggestion.
In my a few years visiting Greece, I will need to have eaten lots of of iterations of the well-known dish – however this isn’t your commonplace inexperienced salad with perfunctory tomatoes and a block of feta plonked on high.
As an alternative, this salad – known as Historical Greece – is a sight to behold. Buckwheat, cherry tomatoes, cucumber spirals, caper leaves and oxymel – a combination of honey and vinegar – give this beautiful salad texture and punchy flavour. However the cheese is the true star of the present.
Namah’s cooks use an area Myconian kopanisti cheese mousse, simply spicy and peppery sufficient to set off the opposite flavours completely.
In terms of meals, not less than, I’m not afraid of slightly decadence – and my important course, the superbly named Lobster Ark, is simply that.
Arriving on a splendidly creamy risotto base, it’s the juiciest, plumpest lobster I’ve ever been fortunate sufficient to style. Its flavour is complemented with apricot, cashew, pink basil and spearmint gel, in addition to a tart addition of citrus and Mykonian bitter cheese snow. Topping it off is a beneficiant serving to of Ossetra caviar, one of many world’s most prized.
As a lot as I want to pattern a pudding, I’m just too full, so I spherical off my meal with a Pink Paloma cocktail as a substitute.
Made with contemporary watermelon, tequila blanco, agave, lime and cherry soda, it’s the proper finish to a really good meal and helps me fall right into a deep slumber in my stunning suite.
SantAnna seaside membership: A special aspect to partying in Mykonos
The subsequent morning, I move the whitewashed exterior of Kivotos Mykonos, all framed with vivid pops of bougainvillaea and statues and fountains wherever you flip.
It’s on to my subsequent vacation spot on Mykonos: SantAnna seaside membership.
We’ve all heard concerning the debauchery of a few of the island’s venues, however my expertise right here couldn’t be additional faraway from that.
I’m taken to an ocean-front cabana and am offered with a luxurious fruit platter, that includes the freshest watermelon and dragonfruit. I wash this pleasant snack down with a luscious fruity cocktail with a cherry on high.
I learn a couple of chapters of my ebook and take a swim within the clear waters off the beautiful Paraga Seashore in entrance of me.
Revitalised, I wander round the remainder of SantAnna, with its monumental pool, luxurious solar loungers and boutiques, all flanked by coconut timber.
It’s clear that it’s completely attainable to occasion right here – in all probability as onerous as you wish to.
Celebrity DJs like Man Gerber have made appearances at SantAnna and the membership is open for events “till late” many days of the week.
Leaning into my sheltered lifestyle, I head to the restaurant for but extra great meals.
I’m taken care of superbly by my waiter, who hails from Armenia – and tries to not baulk an excessive amount of after I instantly reference Kim Kardashian’s Armenian heritage.
‘I begin to assume I’ve been doing life all mistaken’
Beginning robust, I pattern oysters topped with chopped cucumber and jalapeno for added chunk. Then, it’s on to a breadboard with olives and tomato dip which I can’t get sufficient of.
Fortunate for me, my subsequent course is a Greek salad, packed to the brim with tomatoes. It, too, differs from the standard dish. Whereas, in contrast to Namah’s providing, this does function feta, it’s topped with watermelon, pistachios and a tomato and basil sorbet.
A sublime lady on the desk subsequent to me has ordered it, too. She takes a break from photographing the gorgeous dish, simply lengthy sufficient to say “that is the perfect salad I’ve ever eaten”. I heartily agree, by mouthfuls of it – deeply inelegantly.
I doubt I look a lot better consuming the scrumptious California sushi roll or sturdy seafood pasta which comes subsequent however, by this level, I’m stepping into the occasion spirit – a primary for me.
By the point pudding arrives – a pistachio-packed baklava cake – and I order a Barbie-pink cocktail, I begin to assume I’ve been doing life all mistaken.
Because the poolside DJ performs Icona Pop’s 2012 banger ‘I Love It’ – a favorite of mine and my good buddy from my early 20s – I’m so immersed within the vibes, I textual content that buddy and ask him if he fancies coming again to SantAnna subsequent yr.
Ultimately – and though I go away the membership because the solar units at round 7pm, versus 3am – I feel to myself that Mykonos actually could be all it’s cracked as much as be – it’s simply what you make it.
