Mykonos might be known as the hardcore party hub of the Cyclades, but there is a quieter side to this wild and wind-swept Greek isle and Santa Marina Resort & Villas is the place to find it. Just ten minutes from the white-washed labyrinthine passageways of Mykonos Town, it has all of the sun-soaked charm of its raucous neighbour, and the same charming sugar cube-style architecture, but far more space and a much slower pace.
This summer sees the results of an extensive makeover by interior designer Sylvina Macipe Krontiras. The resort’s 101 rooms and suites and 13 villas have been transformed into dreamy sanctuaries – with clean lines, tranquil colour palettes and surely the most comfortable beds in the Greek Islands – if not beyond. Nine suites now have their own private pools, perfect for refreshing morning dips overlooking the shimmering Aegean.
Even those with a pool to themselves will likely want to spend time down on the beach – the only private strip of sand on the whole island. Mykonos’ infamous wind factor is kept at bay here with cocoon-like cabanas providing shelter, not to mention immense comfort. Curl up in one of these with a good book and it’s entirely possible not to emerge until sunset.
Sunset, by the way, is a showstopper here. The best place for it is arguably the Colonial Restaurant – set between the resort’s two swimming pools – where dazzling pink skies provide the perfect canopy for a sundowner. If you linger long enough, you can simply settle in for supper. This is the place to get a fix of great Greek food, though there’s plenty more besides on the menu.
Downstairs is the hipper, more happening Buddha Bar, perhaps the one part of the resort that pays homage to the island’s more hedonistic side. Dinner guests bellow over the DJ as they dig into colourful platters of sushi and seafood – ordering endless bottles of rosé and extravagant cocktails as they go. Dancing on the tables is not entirely out of the question.
Heavy heads might be in the minority in this chilled-out resort, but they are well catered for at Gingko, the new spa, which offers all manner of soul-soothing treatments as well as a steam room, sauna and hammam for sweating out any toxins. And those who’d prefer a workout can take their pick between a state-of-the-art gym and a brand new tennis court. Lounging in the lap of luxury, of course, and soaking up that glorious Greek sunshine, might just do the trick, too.
