Mykonos Riviera Hotel & Spa is a new offering in the island’s bustling capital, Hora. Beloved for its unique beauty and diverse attractions, Hora’s iconic windmills look down over a picturesque harbour and the town’s warren of whitewashed houses and narrow lanes.
Mirroring the characteristic tumble of buildings that threads down Hora’s centuries old cliff face, the white Cycladic buildings of Mykonos Riviera are terraced down the rocky terrain.
The development resembles a series of little village houses, connected via a stepped pathway. Yet this traditional exterior belies contemporary, pared-back interiors by acclaimed interior architectural design company, MKV Design.
“This has been a very special project for us, given our role over the years as interior designer at the Riviera’s sister resort, The Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort,” explains Maria Vafiadis, Founder of MKV Design.
“In this new project, we have created a retreat just a stroll away from the main town in which guests can feel completely connected with the most beautiful and transformative aspects of Mykonos – its natural landscapes, centuries old architectural character and its sense of simple luxury.”
“We have created a retreat in which guests can feel completely connected with the most beautiful and transformative aspects of Mykonos”
A sunken pathway begins the journey through the site, leading to a striking reception lobby seated beneath the elevated infinity pool. Deep, glazed ‘windows’ punctuate the ceiling here, transforming the space into an etheral underwater experience.
By day, the space is alive with shimmering reflections and activity from swimmers above. By night, fibre optic lights embedded into the walls illuminate the space, shining upwards through the windows to pierce the water – creating the impression of thousands of stars twinkling in the night sky.
This clever use of light and reflection is amplified by a fully mirrored reception desk, while a suspended sculpture plays with the notion of a diver plunging through the ceiling.
The library is also situated off the sunken path. One of the very few spaces that looks inwards, rather than out to sea, the space offers an introspective vibe that is ideally suited to relaxation or study.
Above the library is the Blu Room – a space for intimate private events and guest breakfasts. MKV opted to reverse the island’s predominantly white colour palette here, instead opting for a dense ultramarine blue that sets the space apart. At the heart of the room is a striking custom-designed buffet table, illuminated from above by an eye-catching parade of lights.
For larger parties and passers by, the hotel boasts a stylish rooftop Pool Club restaurant and bar. Located opposite the pool, the venue benefits from a panapoly of gently changing vistas, from the yachts and pleasure boats making their way in and out of the harbour, to stunning Mykonian sunsets.
The hotel’s Greek speciality restaurant, Lafs, opens in the evenings only. Offering an unpretentious and convivial feel, the restaurant’s interior emits a cosy glow from its plethora of glass pendant lights with loosely woven raffia shades.
A 500m2 spa concludes the hotel’s public spaces, incorporating six treatment rooms, a thalassotherapy pool with therapeutic showers, a hammam, sauna, relaxation room and hairdressing salon.
The interiors here are pure and simple, with polished concrete finishes embellished by pebble channels in the floor and a sculptural wall to one side of the pool. Although the spa is sunken, natural light penetrates the space via a small outdoor courtyard.
When it came to the guest rooms, MKV opted for a sleek, nautical-inspired design. A rope motif strung across the ceiling is evocative of rigging on a boat, while splashes of Mykonian blue enliven the otherwise all-white palette.
All the rooms enjoy an outdoor terrace, from which guests can enjoy views over the Aegean Sea, while the suites raise the bar that little bit higher with heated jacuzzis and private pools.
