JETSETREPORT

On the Ground in Summer Mykonos

July 26, 2016 08.21 AM

St. Tropez and Ibiza are over... At least according to the Summer Jet Set who have recently crowned Mykonos as this year's it-spot. A few years in the making, Mykonos has benefited from one very hot new beach club, boutique hotels, and groups like Hakasaan, or Project Club, bringing a bit of international flash to the island's late-night entertainment scene. This season, Belvedere Hotel celebrates its 20th year with about as much luxury as you'll find on the island. Complete with all new private villas, Matsuhisa, Six Sense Spa, and new poolside organic cocktail bar courtesy of Athens' top mixologist, Belvedere earns its place at the top. For something new altogether, Anax Boutique Hotel combines an idyllic beach location with an architectural lobby and impressive room interiors.

Not long ago on Mykonos, a day at the beach meant a choice between Paradise and Super Paradise... but all that's changed thanks to Scorpios. Inspired by Tulum with sunset rituals and servers that resemble Rick Owens warriors, one of the island's best restaurants offers impeccable dishes from grilled octopus and Greek salads to a whole Red Snapper carpaccio that's the best thing we've eaten this year - anywhere. Scorpios makes you rethink venturing to former hotspots like Nammos -charming in off-season - but now crowded with the showiest of summer Mediterranean showmen that have made it even less tolerable than Le Club 55 in August. And while we love Scorpios, it unfortunately falters with a still mediocre bar program and overpriced beach service on one of the island's worst swimming beaches. Luckily for those looking to take a dip, there's the amazing Lia, a deserted strip of gravel beach that's one of the most beautiful and blissfully removed on the island... Just don't tell anyone about it.

In the next few summers, look for the restaurant infrastructure to vastly improve on Mykonos, even if it’s with the likes of international brands from Buddha Bar and Hakkasan that brought new concept supper club Ling Ling to the island again this season. For us, we prefer more indigenous eateries like casual Bokaro or Sea Stain Market that has a renewed sense of life on weekends when families from Athens party until 3am above the crashing waves. Our favorite, Kiki's, proves as elusive as ever with 90-minute waits on most afternoons for their amazing grilled creations all made sans electricity. Nightlife gets a posh boost with London's Bonbonniere as well as Toy Room and Avra that blend into the 3am landscape. Cavo Paradiso has managed to scoop all the top DJ talent for the year from Paradise Club, including Kygo, Avicii and Skrillex, all headlining this month. And while popularity may lay the groundwork for a new and improved Mykonos, sadly it also makes roads and even restaurant reservations a lesson in patience and likely a reason the summer jet set will once again find a new it-spot in years to come.

Written by:

Michael Martin
Editorial Review Author
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