Elite Traveler March-April 2018

elite traveler MAR/APR 2018 117

The curvaceous pool at the Belvedere Hotel

PARTY TIME

WHERE TO STAY

Nammos Champagne showers, $5,000-a-day cabanas, shisha and sushi bars, and even live camels feature at Nammos, one of the world’s swankiest beach bars. Toned hostesses in teeny bikinis usher you to tightly packed Loro Piana sunbeds, and Rivas zip oligarchs from their superyachts to the waterfront restaurant. There’s even a resident paparazzo to upload snaps of celebrities such as Olivia Palermo, Mariah Carey and countless Kardashians onto the Nammos Instagram account. nammos.gr Astra Some things never go out of style — like this classic bar founded by the irrepressible impresario Babis Pasaoglou in 1987. The timeless design by Greek jeweler Minas, a sultry interpretation of vernacular architecture, has not changed since the day Astra opened. The twinkling stars on the ceiling still pulse in time to the music, even if the tunes have changed with the times. astra-mykonos.com Scorpios On a rocky headland at the tip of Paraga beach, Scorpios helped Mykonos regain its mojo since opening in 2015. All bamboo and rope daybeds, oversize cacti, and tattooed staff dressed like Berber nomads, Scorpios is a glamorous spin on hippie chic. Go for the trippy Sunset Rituals, where the world’s best DJs jam with locals on the clarinet and bagpipes. The healthy Mediterranean food is sensational, and the cocktails are strong. scorpiosmykonos.com

Pool side at Villa Lapis Lazuli

SANTAMARINA RESORT AND VILLA A favorite among supermodels and superstars (such as Alessandra Ambrosio, Harrison Ford and Bella Hadid), this seaside resort commands a private peninsula overlooking Ornos bay. In addition to the only private beach on the island, assets include a top-notch spa and the justifiably fashionable Buddha Bar. Part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, this is still a family business, run by the uncompromising Christiana Papageorgiou, who completed a multimillion-dollar upgrade in 2017. The suite to book is the three-bedroom Villa Lapis Lazuli, which comes with a free-form infinity pool and dedicated butler. Villa Lapis Lazuli from $3,475 per night. Contact Evelyn Hatzaki, reservations manager, reservations@ santa-marina.gr, +30 228 902 3220, santa-marina.gr

Watch the sunset from the terrace of Myrsini Beach House

MYRSINI BEACH HOUSE On a sandy bay far from the madding crowds, this stunning estate feels like a private island. Perfect for families or undercover celebrities, the rental comprises three houses (sleeping 12–14 guests) set around a pool and a series of stone terraces strung with hammocks. Shady alcoves strewn with colorful textiles, and rough-hewn bathrooms with vintage tiles exude a bohemian vibe. The owner hails from an illustrious local family, so you will experience Mykonos as a privileged insider. From$18,000 per week. Contact Spiros Meletopoulos, smeletopoulos@gmail. com, +30 694 434 6004, thebeachouse.estate

BELVEDERE HOTEL If you want to be in the heart of the action, stay here. In the upper echelons of Chora, the Belvedere Hotel is a scene in itself. Fabulous fashionistas strike a pose around the curvaceous pool, which morphs into a sexily lit bar after dark. Reserve well in advance for the ever-popular Matsuhisa Mykonos. Designed by David Rockwell, the sushi restaurant is defined by sculpted mahogany, white marble and incredible sea views. Belvedere Suite from $2,400 per night. Contact Christofer Vonglis, general manager, reservations@ belvederehotel.com, +30 228 902 5122, belvederehotel.com

1. ABOAT TRIP TODELOS Fewer than 10 percent of visitors to Mykonos make the half-hour journey to Delos, an entire island of ancient ruins, and we think they are missing out. Excursion boats depart frequently from the old port of Mykonos, but those in the know charter Phoebus , an elegant sailboat restored and skippered by Zannis Koukas, a charismatic local sculptor. After you explore the spectacular antiquities, Koukas will show you the secret beaches of Rinia, a desert island inhabited only by shepherds and farmers. phoebus.gr TAKE THREE/// ESSENTIAL MYKONOS EXPERIENCES

2. SUNDOWNERS AT CAPRICE IN LITTLE VENICE At dusk, the whole world seems to descend on the waterfront bars of Little Venice to watch the sun slip into the Aegean. Go early to score a perch at Caprice, one of the oldest bars on Mykonos, and order a round of watermelon daiquiris. Before you know it, you’ll be dancing on the bar. capriceofmykonos.com 3. DRAG SHOWS AT JACKIE O’ BEACH CLUB The gay scene is no longer a defining feature of Mykonos, but Super Paradise Beach is still awash in buff, bronzed beefcakes. The nightly drag shows at the beach’s glamorous Jackie O’ bar attract a mixed crowd that unfailingly ends up on the dance floor. jackieomykonos.com