Lizard-like I find myself outstretched on a beach chair, wriggling as it settles into the fine white sand at its feet. The sun kisses my back as soothing music from Buddha Bar Beach hums in the distance. I am in what can only be described as a state of pure bliss at Santa Marina Mykonos.
Ornos Bay, Mykonos. Home to Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort. Image © Skye Gilkeson
We had only driven through the Santa Marina Mykonos gates an hour before and I was already drifting off to sleep in the sun before lunch time. I notice I’m not alone. Other guests are overcome by the same feeling of relaxation – some lay in slumber in shaded day beds while others slowly wade into the calm blue waters near our feet. Up at the bar, a table of guests erupts with laughter as they order another bottle of soft pink rose and sparkling wine. Time appears to be standing still. I soon learn, that’s the way things work in Mykonos and that’s what they aim to achieve at Santa Marina, with great success.
Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Ornos Bay, Mykonos. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Arriving at Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort is like stepping into an entirely different world from busy Mykonos town, just ten minutes away. The resort is, without doubt, one of the most special properties we have ever stayed at. Santa Marina is a part of the fabric of Mykonos. It has been owned and run by the Papageorgiou family for more than two decades. After the passing of her father, Christiana Papageorgiou took the reigns and has just completed a three-year, multi-million dollar renovation of the resort. The result is incredible.
Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, is situated on the exclusive peninsula in Ornos Bay, Mykonos. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The secluded property covers more than 70 acres of prime land on the peninsula in Ornos Bay. It’s southerly aspect means it is protected from the strong winds from the north (that give Mykonos its nickname as the Island of the Winds). In true Cycladic architectural fashion, the resort’s white washed buildings nestle into the hillside. The layout is clever; leisure and relaxation spaces are staggered from reception, down to the large, open lap pool on the cape and so on, until you reach the sand. Santa Marina is also the only resort on Mykonos with a private beach.
Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, sits comfortably in its Mykonos hillside setting. Image © Skye Gilkeson
At the beach, you’ll generally only be joined on the sand by a few guests staying on super yachts that pull up anchor in Ornos Bay. Otherwise, the resort keeps the front gates tightly monitored. All of these varied spaces ensure there’s more than enough space for guests to spread out and relax without feeling overwhelmed by others. So it’s no surprise Santa Marina has long been a favourite destination for celebrities and the jet-set crowd. Richard Branson, Oliver Stone, Harrison Ford, and Denzel Washington and football star Ronaldo have all stayed at the hotel and the more than half of the resort’s clientele are returning guests.
View of Ornos Bay from our private terrace at Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Pure Luxury Overlooking Ornos Bay
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There are 101 rooms (some with their own pools), including 11 luxury private villas. Every room in the resort has been designed to take advantage of views of the stunning South Aegean sea blues. We stayed in a Superior Sea View room. I’ll be honest, when I stepped into our room, I absolutely wished I could have transported the entire room, including every design detail, back home. It’s evident every style element brought in with the multi-million dollar makeover has been carefully thought through. From furniture and linens made from natural fibres to the decorative details that bring the ocean indoors, the room and the wider living spaces are at the same time elegant and comfortable. So comfortable in fact that I am slightly ashamed to say I went to have a nap on our first afternoon at Santa Marina and woke up 16 hours later (no wonder I want to ship that bed home!).
Superior Sea View room at Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Stunning design details feature throughout the room. Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Our room was decked out with everything you would expect from a Starwood Luxury Collection hotel; a king sized bed dressed with top of the line linens (obviously they were a hit), a work space, television, minibar, Nespresso machine, walk-in wardrobe with dressing area and luggage hold, a large bathroom with monsoon shower head, hand carved wooden basin, stone vanity and delicious Acqua di Parma products, and of course a personal favourite, the nightly turn down service. It lives up to both the respected Santa Marina name and the coveted Luxury Collection label.
Sun loungers on our private terrace with a 180 degree view of the peninsula and beyond. Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos. Image © Skye Gilkeson
My favourite part of the room was the terrace. Big enough to hold a decent sized yoga class on, sun loungers sat at one end and a cosy table and chairs at the other. We spent a lot of time watching helicopters drop off guests on the headland, boats navigating the coastline and of course the magnificent Mykonos sunsets.
Table & chairs, perfect for an sunset cocktail on our private terrace at Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Sunset from our private terrace at Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos. Image © Skye Gilkeson