Kalesma Mykonos, sitting on its perch above Ornos Bay, has opened its doors for the season. Architecturally striking and minimalist cool, Kalesma Mykonos is the expression of the owners’ long personal love affair with this fabled Greek island. Showcasing a gloriously laid-back side to a place known primarily for summer parties, the resort has 12 suites and 15 villas (all with private full-size pools and sweeping views). While Mykonos is not short of hotel offerings, Kalesma is the option for those seeking the seldom-told stories of the island, from wellness to the celebration of Greek culture through culinary and cultural experiences. Entering its third season and now a cemented part of the island’s scene, Kalesma has some new tricks up its sleeve for summer 2023…
WHAT’S NEW?
- This summer, a brand-new spa is opening with products and treatments by Dr. Barbara Sturm. There will be two treatment rooms, a hammam, and a cryotherapy area. The spa sits beneath the main lobby and offers a respite from the warm, Mediterranean sun.
- Starting in July, Kalesma will bring guests a theatrical experience inspired by Greece’s rich dramatic history called “The Light of Apollo.” This will be a multi-sensorial, music and dance performance created exclusively for Kalesma by Greek theatrical troop, Tracing Echoes. Six dancers/actors and one musician will create a 360-degree performance around the property combining Greek mythology, contemporary theater, dance, and sculpture to create magical imagery around the myth of Apollo. (Apollo was said to have kept his horses in the area where the hotel sits.) Picture ancient gods playfully dancing, zoomorphic symbols coming to life, images of mortals seeking their destiny. Performances will take place every week throughout July.
- With a goal of introducing guests to the real Mykonos, beyond the tourist attractions and buzzy nightlife, Kalesma is also launching new experiences this summer including a private guide through a family farm to experience traditional, local life. Guests will cook a typical Mykonian recipe, knead and bake bread in a stone oven, and sit with the family for a lovely lunch.
More about Kalesma Mykonos
Set in Aleomandra, a peninsula on the rugged northwest end of Mykonos, Kalesma looks like a traditional Cycladic village: its 12 suites and 15 villas are housed in whitewashed structures that spread across a scenic hillside and come with 360-degree panoramas. But inside, they are the picture of contemporary Greek cool. Homegrown design firms Studio Bonarchi and K-Studio (known for the new Mykonos airport and Scorpios Beach Club) dreamt up the artfully-undone interiors, which feature Rick Owens-designed furniture, black lava tables, and artworks by Serbian artist Aleksander Vac.
The owners are behind Athens hotspots Sea Spice and Pere Ubu, but here, on the island where they all grew up spending their summers, they have created the epitome of a sexy, laid-back hideaway. Every suite has a private terrace, a heated plunge pool and views of the sea—lending a feeling of privacy and seclusion. During the day, the Pere Ubu Restaurant is a sunny, serene spot to try a selection of mezes, as well as island specials like sun-dried mackerel and Mykonian sausage. By night, it transforms into a place to see and be seen, with hand-crafted cocktails and DJ sets by Yannis Mitskokapas of Zucca Radio. There’s also the Aloni Sunset Lounge, an outdoor bar where guests and locals gather around a fire pit, drinking sundowners and planning after-hour escapades.
Off-property, guests can embark on a guided tour of Delos, sign up for a snorkeling or scuba diving adventure, or go on a cruise around the island, stopping to swim in turquoise waters and explore hidden coves. The concierge is on hand to assist with requests ranging from snagging reservations at the hottest tables, securing sun loungers at the island’s 25 beaches, directing guests to the best nature trails, and coordinating drop-offs at Ornos Beach, a 3-minute drive away.
