The Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts - The Leading Luxury Hospitality Experience on Mykonos…
A (Virtual) conversation WITH VANGELIS DAKTYLIDES, MANAGING DIRECTOR & Owner
How did your properties come about?
The story of the Myconian Collection is the story of our family and our love of Mykonos. More than forty years ago, our father, George Daktylides, recognized the potential of our little island to provide authentic Greek hospitality with unforgettable experiences to travellers from around the world. He opened the first hotel outside of Mykonos Town, the Kohili, in 1979. Today, the Myconian Collection has eleven properties, all on the island, but we remain a family-owned and family-managed business. We know Mykonos like the back of our hand and we love and respect it immensely. Through this, we provide a combination of local insight and respect for the island along with a contemporary approach to hospitality.
What is the mission of the Myconian Collection?
To offer our guests a bespoke, once-in-a-lifetime experience of our renowned Cyclades island – relaxing, exciting, safe and fully aligned with our warm hospitality. As Mykonos locals, we want to be your guide to experiencing everything it has to offer, from its most famous landmarks to the unexpected, the unique, the road less travelled – whatever your preference. Our mission is personalized hospitality – small enough to care but big enough to be able to offer you a wide range of options.
what does a perfect day look like at Your Properties?
We personalize our services and we don’t do cookie-cutter! Everyone will find something that suits their preferences. Here’s one idea, though: You’ll wake up rejuvenated by the unique energy of Mykonos. The sun will be shining and the most amazing view of the Aegean Sea will greet you from the window. Enjoy your breakfast in bed before you hop on a boat for a guided tour of nearby Delos island, an incredible World Heritage Site. After exploring the well-preserved antiquities that span the entire island, return to our private stretch of Elia Beach to work on your tan, sipping a signature cocktail and cooling down with fresh fruit brought straight to your sunbed (don’t miss the chance to dive into the crystal waters of the Aegean)! Later, enjoy a pampering treatment in our spa, courtesy of talented therapists and Elemis products. Marvel at the sunset at the Myconian Avaton with music and drinks, before you give into the high-dining experience of Cabbanes Restaurant and all its’ gourmet delights. Afterwards, take your partner on a romantic walk or crack open a bottle of champagne in your private garden. Of course, it’s all up to you and your preferences, but keep in mind you’re free to wine and dine at any of our properties and their amazing restaurants and bars, no matter where you’re staying. We have six on the amazing Elia Beach and another four across the island.
Do you have a famous menu item we can share with our clients?
MARINATED SCALLOPS
Recipe courtesy of Panayiotis Tsoukatos, executive chef of award-winning Relais & Châteaux restaurant Baos, at the Myconian Korali.
Ingredients
4 king scallops, fresh
12 uni (urchin eggs)
12ml urchin water
10ml lime juice
10g Messolonghi avgotaraho (bottarga)
6 blood orange fillets, diced
5 roasted pistachios, coarsely crushed
1ml extra virgin olive oil
fleur de sel
freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Shuck and clean scallops, removing their egg and washing in cold water. Dry carefully and refrigerate for one hour at -3 to 0 degrees Celsius – this will help when slicing. An hour later, slice carpaccio-thin, 2-3cm. Arrange fillets on a plate in a circle, each fillet lightly touching the next one. You can use a baking ring or form to achieve the shape. Lay solid ingredients on top as symmetrically as possible. Salt and pepper. Mix all liquid ingredients together, stirring very gently. Use a spoon to pour the mixture on top, making sure to cover evenly. Wait two minutes until they marinate and serve.
Charity of choice to support?
We try to focus our Commercial Social Responsibilities (CSR) efforts on Mykonos as much as possible, as we want to actively support the local community and take care of our home. For this reason we created Daktylides Foundation, a dedicated organization which supports a wide range of initiatives covering education, health care and much more, to improve the life of our people across the island. Last year, the Myconian Collection constructed a fully functional, sustainable and tech-forward secondary school in the island’s Ano Mera village, which we donated to the community. Its’ 13 spacious, bright classrooms have already been put to use, serving 200 students and dozens of teachers, for whom we’ve even constructed accommodation on the premises. We’re very happy to be able to give back to the island we love and see the fruits of our efforts first-hand.
LUXE & NYx PICK - Elia Beach!
We’re staying put on Elia Beach! Renowned for the longest strip of fine sand on Mykonos and its crystal waters, the serene Elia has comfortable sunbeds, a variety of superb restaurants with Mediterranean dishes and cocktails, as well as an aqua-sports school that offers water-skiing, parasailing and windsurfing.
On this idyllic seashore, the Utopia Relais & Châteaux, trend-setting Avaton, luxurious Myconian Villa Collection, as well as the Imperial and Royal resorts, offer a private beach section with sunbeds and umbrellas for their guests, as well as a beach bar service for beverages, smoothies and snacks.
Luxe and nyx amenity -
The guest manager of the property will welcome all L&N guests and join them for a drink of Chios Mastiha Liqueur - a traditionally Greek flavor that's all-natural and befits summer on Mykonos beautifully - at the pool bar.
Ready to Book or Have Questions?
We can’t wait for you to experience The Myconian Collection!
Visit us here or reach out - hello@luxeandnyx.com.
xx, The team at luxe & nyx
