san giorgio hotel - mykonos

  Mykonos had been on the top of my must visit list for some time and it seemed like the perfect chilled get-away for mine and Daniel's 2nd wedding anniversary. So, we booked, we packed, we travelled, we relaxed, we ate, we sun-bathed and most importantly, we loved it. The largest contributing factor as to why our mini break of 3 nights was so very recharging and inspiring was the hotel we stayed in, the San Giorgio Hotel. The San Giorgio Hotel project truly began over 15 years ago, in the mid 90s, when Thomas Heyne and Mario Hertel met on the shores of Ibiza. Heyne, from Augsburg, had turned down a lucrative career in construction to run a nightclub in Ulm, Germany. Fellow Bavarian Hertel had opened a café in Bayreuth when he was just 18 and eventually built up his own mini hospitality empire of restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs. In 2012, after nearly a decade running Mykonos’ world-famous Paradise Club together, Heyne and Hertel teamed up with Design Hotels™ to create the San Giorgio Hotel, a destination for likeminded free spirits. The result is a super chilled haven where attention to detail is key. Everything is beautiful but understated and never trys too hard (just like the guests). The decor of freshly painted white walls and woodwork with furnishings of kelim tapestry, vintage or reclaimed wooden furniture (be it antique or drift) and woven raffia lampshades sets just the right tone and fits the atmosphere perfectly. There are hammocks everywhere, even floating bean bags for the pool and guests aren't afraid to use them. We were lucky enough to have a room with a veranda and our very own hammock to while away the afternoon in. The whole place is designed to slow you down and encourage rest and relaxation. Or at least it is in May and September which are the 'off-peak' months. I can imagine it's pretty bonkers in July and August which is high party season. We spent most days doing something like this:- waking from a deep, peaceful sleep in our netted queen sized bed- eating a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, mini pastries, cooked eggs, amazing juices and hot chocolate (breakfast was included so we smashed it every day)- sunbathing on our large, square, room for two, sun lounger over looking the sea/ocean enjoying our books and taking moments to sit in the shade under a palm or swim in the pool- lunch if we had it was the house buba ghanush which had feta and dried petals generously sprinkled on top (we usually saved a couple of bananas from breakfast for an afternoon snack)- afternoons were taken up with more sunbathing, a nap or read in our hammock or a little walk- the closest beach was nice to walk and people watch along and I always love the chance to take my jellies off, walk in the foam and get the sand between my toes- Mykonos town and particularly Little Venice were worth the cab journey and the London priced restaurants (food delicious but not cheap) other nights we stayed in the hotel or popped along to the closest taverna on the beach All in all I would say it was one of the best, or at least most 'us' holidays we've ever had. Beautiful surroundings, delicious food, wonderful attention to detail and a super chilled, lazy atmosphere - we'll be back soon Mykonos!