With one night to spend on an iconic Greek Isle, and a lust for luxury, Natalie Bannister checks out a boutique adults-only retreat offering a whole new level of indulgence.
The island of Mykonos is well known for its timeless beauty, epic beach lifestyle and vibrant nightlife. There’s also a wealth of luxurious accommodation — but one collection stands above the rest. As the Greek Island’s leading luxury hospitality group, the prestigious, family-owned Myconian Collection has genuine Mykonian heritage, having been founded in 1979 by George and Eleftheria Daktylides and today run by their four sons Panos, Markos, Vangelis and Marios. The collection includes ten leading luxury hotels on Mykonos, including three Relais & Châteaux hotels, two Leading Hotels of the World, two Design Hotels, two Preferred Hotels & Resorts (Myconian Naia being one of them) and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, all laying claim to some of the island’s most beautiful settings.
It’s enough pedigree to entice us to check out a hidden gem offering an exclusive boutique experience perfect for our dream of 24 hours of indulgence on Mykonos. Set atop a hill with breathtaking views of Mykonos town and the Aegean Sea, Myconian Naia captures the essence of both the ancient and contemporary, seducing with a captivating atmosphere and sensational style.
Naia’s commitment to providing a truly personalised experience was evident in every aspect of our stay. From sipping cocktails and soaking up the ambient beats at the pool bar to indulging in a treatment at the state-of-the-art Satory Thalasso Spa, every moment at Naia is designed to create unforgettable memories with a Mykonos edge.
The hotel’s prime location, just a short stroll from the historical harbour and the bustling streets of Mykonos town, allows you to explore the island’s hidden charms and vibrant nightlife with ease. And we did spend a few hours wandering the bustling maze of alleys and cobblestone streets, booming with the hip bars, fashionable boutiques and enticing restaurants of Little Venice, the most picturesque part of Mykonos town. But we found little reason to venture too far or for too long from our private pool suite back at Naia.
Designed with unique beauty and attention to detail, with minimalist elegance and a harmonious combination of natural textures and tone — white plaster walls, gleaming brass, marble floors, custom-crafted joinery, fine fabrics, and a four-poster king-size bed designed exclusively for Naia — it’s the epitome of Greek Islands chic. As gorgeous as they were though, the interiors still couldn’t compete with the breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea and Mykonos town from our private terrace, the beauty of which cannot be overstated — a pool suite at Myconian Naia Luxury Suites is a truly indulgent and unforgettable way to stay and play on Mykonos!
Some of the island’s best fine dining options also begged us to indulge. As a guest of Naia, you have the opportunity to explore the other luxury hotels within the Myconian Collection. The Myconian Kyma, a member of Design Hotels, and the Myconian Korali Relais & Châteaux are neighbouring properties, and each has its own signature restaurant available to guests of Naia. We opted for a romantic meal that evening at NOA, the haute Greek restaurant at Kyma, which boasts gorgeous views and equally sensational Mediterranean gastronomy, all dished up for us with one of the most stunning sunsets I’ve ever witnessed.
NOA combines culinary heritage and contemporary innovation, showcasing the finest farm-to-table ingredients, all grown, reared or fished exclusively for the restaurant and meticulously selected by Executive Chef Panagiotis Tsoukatos. We feasted in style on feta in pie crust drizzled with honey and nuts, Black Angus beef fillet tartar with olive oil, egg yolk, capers and chives, delicate zucchini fried and served with the creamiest tzatziki, and the obligatory Horiatiki, the traditional Greek salad we had become obsessed with ordering at every meal on our odyssey through Greece.
One night on Mykonos was never going to be enough, but the elegance of a stay at an exclusive and one-of-a-kind hotel like Naia was a level of unrestrained luxury that dreams are made of, capturing the incomparable charm, beauty and fashionable style of an iconic Mediterranean island.
