A family affair in Mykonos: from one hotel to an island empire.
Mykonos is the magical Greek island where so many jetsetters have “been there, done that.” But how many have enjoyed the extraordinary hospitality offerings of one Greek family that has built their very own Greek luxury empire? It’s a great story of how hard work pays off one hotel at a time. And how giving back brings good karma.
Today Mykonos has evolved into one of the most glamorous 21st century destinations attracting jet-set travelers from all over the world. Founded in 1979 by George Daktylides and his Delos born wife, Elefteria, and run today by their four sons, Pano, Markos, Vangelis, and Marios, The Myconian Collection is a group of 12 contemporary luxury boutique hotels in Mykonos.
Starting as the first and only public bus transportation company on the island, it later became the third hotelier in Mykonos. Visionary George started accumulating land as he saw the future growth potential in the hospitality industry and wanted to have a hotel for each of his sons to inherit. George could not just stop at four hotels, and now they are collectively planning for the third generation. Son Vangelis says, “There’s a real sense that we are all connected. There is a mutual dependence with the people and the land of Mykonos, and with the rest of the world through our guests.”
The Myconian Collection has created hotels for all segments, each with unique personality and style, magnificent views, cool pool decks, fabulous spas, stateof-the-art gyms, restaurants to satisfy any foodie, wonderful wedding venues and conference facilities. Impressive Greek buffet breakfasts are a signature at all the hotels. Myconian Collection probably has accumulated the most awarded hotels and highest designations including Leading Hotels of the World, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Design Hotels, Relais&Chateaux Hotels, and Preferred Hotels&Resorts LVX Collection and Legend Collection.
Starting out as a transportation company has not been lost: they provide an assortment of VIP transportation options from their fleet of limousines, Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes mini limo-buses and 40-seat coaches, helicopters, private jet charters and yacht cruises. The Myconian Collection is the top of the food chain in terms of Mykonos hospitality, renowned culinary culture, and homegrown friendly service. Today they control 40% of the entire luxury resort market in Mykonos. A cool thing is that guests can enjoy any of the amenities including pools and restaurants within the Myconian Collection, regardless of where they hang their hats at night.
By Elia Beach is Panoptis Escape, carved out of the rocks. Here bohemian luxury sets in with an African organic motif, straw décor, stone floors and shadows creating artforms in earthtones with electric blue accents. Pools are sliced into the cliff and a private helipad can whisk guests in and out. Utopia, the crown jewel of the Myconian Collection, is designed with a “green conscience” using environmentally friendly techniques; Avaton is a design hotel with 85 rooms and suites built into bare rock. Kokkino Bar serves sips and bites while Panorama’s high table presents Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Like all Myconian Collection spas, the branded products here are Elemis and Ligne St. Barth plus, Augustinus Bader; Royal has a rustic façade of Cycladic stone contrasting with contemporary interiors designed by a Greek set designer. The panoramic pool deck has a swim up bar, Camares pool restaurant and for fine dining the Ambrosia; Imperial has a magnificent mega-sized pool, direct beach access with reserved day lounger and parasol, a variety of water sports, Celebrities Seafood Restaurant and Sishu Sushi Bar.
Villa Collection has 96 rooms, suites or villas with personalized 5-star service 24/7. Tucked into the hill above Platis Gialos beach is Ambassador, with one of the island’s best restaurants, L’Efisia. There’s also George’s Bar, named after George Daktylides. Myconian Collection’s first beachside hotel is O on Ornos Beach. The 65 guest rooms and suites are impressive, especially the ones with their own pool. Everything is named “O”: the O Restaurant, O Wellness Spa, and O Concept Store. Unique here are full moon yoga sessions on the beach.
On a little hill just above Mykonos, there are Korali, Kyma & Naia. At Korali rooms and suites are designed all with sea view, private jacuzzies or pools. Baos is Korali’s haute cuisine dining with a panoramic sea view and Kitrino Bar serves signature drinks. At Kyma laid-back luxury meets style and comfort, with two-story whitewashed bungalows with scenic sea-view balconies and private pools. Noa is the ever-popular Greek restaurant while George’s Bar pours cool cocktails. Naia has 18 luxury suites, a mixture of shapes, colors, and rare artworks. Bacos Bar serves specialty cocktails and Naros is an Asian-fusion sushi spot. Deos will debute in summer 2024.
Now with 12 hotels and counting, son Panos sums it all up, “As you can see, we’ve got our retirement cut out for us already. It’s a good thing that we are four brothers, because we have big shoes to fill.”
The Myconian Collection secret: True luxury cannot be conveyed by exclusivity, precision, and aesthetics alone. You need to encounter family, connectedness, and a shared ethos.
Hope Gainer
