“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate; when life is bitter, say thank you and grow…” … and travel to Mykonos and stay at San Giorgio Hotel.
Such happened to me a couple of weeks ago when I decided to pack my best friend and to nourish myself with sun, sea and the beach and to travel to this beautiful stripped-down gypset retreat on the white shores of the Aegean, which was back in my mind since I first read about this Design Hotels™ beach-heaven years ago.
Designed with uncomplicated simplicity, freedom, fun and lots of details and blending the carefree vibe of the bohemian ‘60s with a down-to-earth gypset approach, which I LOVE, this picture-perfect white stucco boutique hotel is said to stand out as one of the most beautifully decorated places in Mykonos. And it really does.
Originally built in the 1990s, the hotel was purchased by Mario Hertel and Thomas Heyne of the nearby world-famous Paradise Club, who teamed up with Design Hotels™ to create a place for creative people who sit together at big tables near the pool to let thoughts, ideas and visions run wild. The doors openend in May 2012 and since then “everbody comes in and after two days they are so relaxed, they feel like they’re at home” as Heyne narrates.
From doubles to luxury suites, each room has been designed with a spotlight on origin and craftmanship in a natural colour palette and furnished with handpicked local artifacts. Set against the whitewashed walls, the interiors are full of handmade fabrics, raw wood, exotic lanterns and vintage pieces. Outside, the highlights include an expansive pool, open air lounge and Cantina Restaurant and Bar, serving dishes made from fresh organic ingredients, a shady palm garden with lots of hammocks and not to forget the private floating platform down on the sea – the ideal place for my morning yoga sessions. And what would such a laid-back island paradise be without its’ fantastic staff!? Matilda at the reception, guest experience manager Fish, all guys in the restaurant with Dominikos, Ria and Theoni on the front – all became friends in a second…
And in case you wanted to switch sun-bed places, from now on you can walk a couple of minutes to Paraga Beach and choose one of the newly built 50 beds of unforgettable beach-club-experience Scorpios, a place where the shores of my beloved Goa, Bali and Ibiza together with Burning Man and the Glastonbury Music festival melt together. But much more than just a beach and a restaurant – Scorpios is a welcoming holistic world built upon both simplicity and luxury. And it’s this holistic philosophy – one that is as simple as it is revolutionary – that makes Scorpios so unique: now you no longer need to bounce between a quiet, serenity-filled retreat and a place where you can let your spirit soar as you celebrate life to its fullest. PR – manager Lena sat down with me on the first day of the opening and gave away some of the life-quality-specials that are planned for the future: to foster children’s fantasies and to avoid them from staring at their parents’ iPads a little kids farm will be built up with peacocks and donkeys (such a great idea) and for all kind of beauty and soul treatments there will be a spiritual spa from next year.
I could not be more convinced that this place with its sunset beach and terrace and simple but chic house will be the brand-new must-go place on Mykonos.This is where life is sweet and you say thank you and you dance and celebrate life.
SAN GIORGIO MYKONOS:
We shot the new collection of our handmade leather summer sandals at San Giorgio. Check them out here.
SCORPIOS MYKONOS:
Photo credit: Silvia Gattin
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