First summer at Deos Hotel, Mykonos’ new Zen treasure

Do you know how to say “wow” in Greek? All you have to do is pronounce the graceful word Deos. A perfect name for the new Myconian Collection hotel, as the panoramic view of the hill of Agios Vassilis, where it is located, is simply breathtaking. Ideally located on the heights of Mykonos Town, Hotel Deos offers the most beautiful view of the island, overlooking the harbor, the famous 16th century windmills, the town hall (the only building on the island with a tiled roof) and the church. with domes. The center of Mykonos is a seven-minute walk from the property. But away from the hustle and bustle of Little Venice’s many boutiques, bars and nightclubs, Deos stands out as the epitome of a hotel. quiet luxurywhen we develop prudence, comfort and “less is more“.

The Deos is the latest addition to the Myconian collection, founded by Yorgos Dactylidis, who foresaw the rise of tourism in the 1960s. The latter now includes twelve of the largest luxury hotels in Mykonos. Each showcases its own style and decor, and is always a top-notch restaurant. “Our parents built the Mykonian Collection from scratch, and my brothers and I are as proud of our roots as we’ve become,” explains Vangelis Dactylides, one of the four sons of Yorgos who started Deos.

Total osmosis

Designed by the firm of architects Galal Mahmoud, the luxurious establishment nestles its forty rooms into a hillside. The Lebanese, who owns his own house on the island, where he has been visiting with his family for thirty-five years, played on his affinity with the land to create a place that is completely in harmony with the site. “It wasn’t about designing yet another ‘beautiful’ hotel on the island, but about creating something unique that truly connects visitors to the essence that has captivated them since the birth of Mykonos travel,” he explains in his letter of intent. . The decor’s light tones and earthy colors, wooden furniture and stone details thus reflect this connection with the local culture, which Le Corbusier called “la Blanche”.

From the entrance, a visual axis emerges towards the Aegean Sea and the mythical island of Delos and its legendary archaeological remains from the ancient world, which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but is threatened by global warming. They are barely a twenty minute ferry ride away. Therefore, the entire challenge of the project was the dialogue with this view and the surrounding nature, dry and rocky. “There was nothing before,” insists Galal Mahmoud as he shows the whole thing. However, we get the impression that the hotel has always been there, as its subtle placement on the site, the green roofs, the way it follows contour lines allow it to blend into the hillside.

Fluid spaces

In each room, as in the receptions and the restaurant, the decor is specially designed, in the spirit of sustainability and sources. Land stones were thus reused in the walls, with plans carefully designed and crafted by local artisans. The marble is sourced locally. And the works of Greek artists flood the spaces.

The interior-exterior connection in the rooms guided the design of the spaces. So everyone has their own balcony, and depending on the category, a pool or jacuzzi. The terraces themselves day bed play as room expansion. The bathrooms have glass doors with lace patterns, referencing the history of Mykonos.

At Epico Restaurant

At Epico, the Deos restaurant, you dine under a majestic wooden ceiling, where the nautical inspiration and the waves of the Cyclades continue. Chef Eric Girardin offers modern Mediterranean cuisine on the menu. At the head of the star restaurant La Maison des têtes in Colmar, the chef distills his know-how and his touch; the simplicity and delicious flavors of serving local produce.

Sana Spa

In the Sana spa, we find the wave motif that irrigates the entire Deos decor, phased with its warm seawater pool, Marazzi tiles. The spa offers high-end treatments based on premium ranges from Augustinus Bader and Elemis, renowned for their anti-ageing ingredients. We also recommend the Chill Out Shell Massage in St. From the Barth Line, which uses self-heating pods and premium avocado and coconut oils. It gently releases deep tension, relieves stress, and stimulates metabolism.

Walk the farm

One of the tours offered by the Myconian Collection will take you to a traditional Greek farm. A room with thick walls to maintain the temperature, a bread oven, a kitchen, a loom… everything has been reconstructed in the same way and offers an interesting journey back to the times, to the times when Mykonos did not yet live on tourism. There is also the only cultivated garden in the city with a lush vegetable garden, since water resources are limited, everything must be watered with desalinated water. There you can have lunch and taste fragrant olive oil with homemade bread.

Private chapels and preserved streets

To visit Mykonos Town, which is very close to the hotel, guide Maria Mutsiou, who speaks perfect French, will help you avoid the flood of tourists and enjoy more authentic local addresses. He will explain to you especially the traditions surrounding the 350 private chapels scattered around the city center alone. And will detail local ordinances that help preserve the island, such as a two-story maximum limit for buildings, sign designations that can’t exceed the width of windows. The whiteness of the houses comes from the times when they had to be plastered with lime to avoid epidemics. The blue that forms the character of the Epinal des Cyclades is however optional, but every building other than white should adopt a strong color. Tucked away in an alley, the Mando Cinema and its open-air screenings offer a cool stop for connoisseurs, with its cafe tucked away in a green park.

Reservations: Deos Mykonos.