Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Aegean dreams

The minimalist beauty of the Cyclades Islands, with graceful curves and striking contrasts of cobalt blue and pure white, is a rich source of inspiration for architects. Maud Vidal-Naquet checks into five of the region’s most beautiful design hotels to soak up the splendours of the Aegean

Images Laurent Fabre/LightMediation

The latest trend in Greece is for small, stylish, very high-end hotels, and the Cyclades now offer an increasing number of such establishments, which have contributed to renewed interest in this constellation of islands strewn across the Aegean Sea. Here, you can be a privileged spectator; living in harmony with the no-frills beauty of the setting, bathed in light and lulled by the sea. Just choose your island and drift away…

Folégandros

The austere quality of Folégandros, a remote island that’s surrounded by the dizzying heights of towering cliffs, is a reminder that only 40 years ago, it served as a prison. Thanks to a fashionable summer festival and a daily high-speed sea link, however, it has recently seen a sharp increase in visitor numbers, and is particularly popular with Athenians.

The Anemi Hotel sprouted up against the barren backdrop of Folégandros harbour. The establishment’s white, dice-like cubes strike poses around the swimming pool, while its quintessential lines and refined furniture blend in perfectly with the unaffected nature of the Cyclades. The atmosphere of elegant sobriety is brightened up by a few reminders of the rustic nature of Folégandros – such as a spray of thyme in an iron planter, its scent filling the lobby. Each bedroom, meanwhile, displays an unusual print of scenes of everyday life on the island, whether it’s children running in the streets, road signs, or chairs in a café. Anemi Hotel (Karavostasis, Folégandros, , anemihotels.com, rooms from €220).

Mykonos

Mykonos provides a dramatic change of scenery and, with its renowned nightlife, offers a far more glamorous destination.

The recently opened Mykonos Grace Hotel counterbalances the provocative reputation of the island, however: its refreshingly simple design is anything but ostentatious, and its cheerful mood is immediately communicative. A maze of terraces, bedrooms and lounges overlook the sandy beach of Agios Stefanos. Whether you’re luxuriating in the bubbles of your private Jacuzzi or sitting on the terrace of the State of Grace restaurant and bar, you can delight in the view of the outrageously blue sea and the island of Delos (Apollo’s island) reflected in the turquoise mirror of the pool. You’ll feel at home thanks to little details such as king-sized beds, a wide selection of freshly squeezed fruit juice at breakfast and a telescope for admiring the stars. Suitably invigorated, you can then join the jet set making the rounds of the island’s all-night parties. Mykonos Grace Hotel (Agios Stefanos, Mykonos, , www.mykonosgrace.com, rooms from €285).

With the refurbishment of the Theoxenia Hotel in 2004, Mykonos set the tone for the changing face of accommodation in the area. Originally designed by the revered Greek architect Aris Konstantinidis in 1960, it counts Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis amongst its former patrons. The hotel has been entirely revamped by Angelos Angelopoulos, the figurehead of Greek interior design, and through a use of daring colours and Italian furniture, the young trendsetter has given the untreated materials of this listed building a new lease of life. The white cocoon chair hanging from the lobby ceiling is a wonderful touch, while the boundless turquoise sofas by Patricia Urquiola are particularly engaging. As the Theoxenia was the first major hotel on the island, it enjoys a perfect location, standing in three acres of grounds just next to the island’s trademark windmills and the crystal-clear waters. Close by, the waterfront bars of the Little Venice district set out their chairs as an invitation to sip the first cocktail of the evening. Mykonos Theoxenia (Kato Mili, Mykonos, , www.mykonostheoxenia.com, rooms from €780, minimum three nights’ stay).

Sifnos

Angelos Angelopoulos has also carried out work on select properties in Sifnos, including the Patriarca Hotel. This 18th-century abode was the birthplace and home of one of the patriarchs of Constantinople, and is now a small guesthouse hidden away in the heart of the capital. The extensive use of red (the colour of the imperial city) and crystal glass in the decoration of its six rooms creates a kitsch and extravagant feel, bringing to life the white of the Cyclades. An ideal base for a jaunt with friends, one steep street down and you’ll be in the midst of the island’s major assets: gourmet dining, master jewellers and ceramicists, art galleries and trendy bars. Patriarca Boutique Hotel (Apollonia, Sifnos, , www.patriarca.gr, rooms from €120).

Santorini

With its (still active) volcano dominating the sea, Santorini – along with Mykonos – is the star of the Aegean. The hotels around the rim of the caldera, with their mesmerising views of the crater, vie with each other for the highest standard of luxury. None of them, however, can match the seductive quality of the rooms in the converted cave dwellings of the 25-year-old Perivolas Hotel in Oia.

Owner Costis Psychas has the demeanour of a surfer, but when he’s not on the crest of a wave, he pursues the dream of his parents, creating the sublime forms of the rooms at the Perivolas. The two newest suites, with the smoothness of their whitewashed walls and the snugness of their vaults and alcoves, take the elegance and refinement of the architecture of the Cyclades to another level. An olive tree grows in the middle of the cave, with natural lighting provided by the light well. To one side, the bed, nestling up to the rock, seems to be hovering in mid-air. You can slip into the private pool, accompanied by the gentle burble of the deliciously inviting water, or visit the hotel’s infinity pool, with its enticing curves – considered to be the most beautiful on the island. This is a marvellous Aegean retreat, each room a luxurious haven for body and soul. Perivolas Hotel (Oia, Santorini, , perivolas.gr, rooms from €520).

FR Rêves d’Égée

La beauté minimaliste des Cyclades est une source féconde d’inspiration pour les architectes. Maud Vidal-Naquet explore cinq des plus beaux hôtels design de la région

Folégandros

L’île reculée de Folégandros fut une prison il y a 40 ans d’ici, mais elle assiste depuis peu à une augmentation exponentielle de ses visiteurs. L’Hôtel Anemi situé dans le port, se démarque avec ses étonnants cubes blancs posés autour de la piscine et un mobilier raffiné contemporain, en parfaite harmonie avec la nature préservée des Cyclades.

Hôtel Anemi Karavostasis, Folégandros, tél. 0, anemihotels.com, chambres à partir de 220 €.

Mykonos

Réputée pour sa vie nocturne, Mykonos est de loin une destination plus glamour, mais avec la grande simplicité de son design, l’hôtel Mykonos Grace est tout sauf ostentatoire. Une série de terrasses, de chambres et de salons surplombent la plage de sable fin d’Agios Stefanos.

Hôtel Mykonos Grace, Agios Stefanos, Mykonos, tél. 0, mykonosgrace.com, chambres à partir de 285 €.

L’hôtel des années 1960 Theoxenia a été relifté en 2004 par Angelos Angelopoulos. Cette figure de proue du design intérieur grec y a apporté sa touche de couleurs franches, complétée par du mobilier italien. L’établissement est parfaitement situé près des moulins de l’île et au bord de la mer limpide et cristalline. Mykonos Theoxenia, Kato Mili, Mykonos, tél. 0, mykonostheoxenia.com, chambres à partir de 780 €, séjour minimum de trois nuits.

Sifnos

Angelos Angelopoulos a également travaillé à la rénovation de l’hôtel Patriarca. Il a transformé cette ancienne demeure de la moitié du 18ème siècle en maison d’hôtes. L’utilisation abondante du cristal rouge dans les six chambres crée un effet kitsch, extravagant, rehaussant par contraste la blancheur éclatante des Cyclades.

Hôtel Patriarca Boutique, Apollonia, Sifnos, tél. 0, patriarca.gr, chambres à partir de 120 €.

Santorin

La volcanique Santorin est la star de la Mer Égée, et les chambres pleines de charme de l’hôtel Perivolas sont situées sur les falaises, dans d’anciennes demeures troglodytes reconverties. Sans conteste, l’endroit où séjourner ! Avec ses nouvelles suites, l’hôtel porte l’élégance et le raffinement de l’architecture des Cyclades à un niveau inégalé.

Perivolas, Oia, Santorini, tél. 8, perivolas.gr, chambres à partir de 520 €.

NL Egeïsche dromen

De minimalistische schoonheid van de Cycladen eilanden vormt een rijke inspiratiebron voor architecten. Maud Vidal-Naquet logeert in vijf van de mooiste designhotels uit de streek

Folégandros

Het afgelegen Folégandros was tot 40 jaar geleden een gevangenis. Onlangs zag het zijn aantal bezoekers sterk toenemen. Het Anemi Hotel bevindt zich in de haven. De strakke witte kubussen rondom het zwembad en het verfijnde meubilair vloeien naadloos over in de ongerepte natuur van de Cycladen.

Anemi Hotel Karavostasis, Folégandros, , anemihotels.com, kamers vanaf €220.

Mykonos

Mykonos is met zijn beruchte nachtleven meer een bestemming voor glamourliefhebbers. Het Mykonos Grace Hotel beschikt daarentegen over een bijzonder simpel, verre van opzichtig design. Hier vind je talrijke terrassen, slaapkamers en lounges die uitkijken over het zandstrand van Agios Stefanos.

Mykonos Grace Hotel, Agios Stefanos, Mykonos, , mykonosgrace.com, kamers vanaf €285.

Het Theoxenia Hotel, dat dateert uit de jaren 60, werd in 2004 met zijn gedurfde kleuren en Italiaans meubilair in een nieuw, trendy kleedje gestoken door Angelos Angelopoulos, het boegbeeld van het Griekse interieurdesign. In de onmiddellijke nabijheid van de windmolens van het eiland en de kristalheldere zee beschikt het hotel over een perfecte ligging.

Mykonos Theoxenia, Kato Mili, Mykonos, , mykonostheoxenia.com, kamers van €780, minimum verblijf van drie nachten.

Sifnos

Angelos Angelopoulos is eveneens de drijfveer achter het Patriarca Hotel, een midden 18de eeuws woonhuis dat werd omgebouwd tot gasthuis. Het veelvuldige gebruik van rood en kristalglas in de zes kamers zorgt voor een extravagant, kitscherig effect dat de karakteristieke kleur van de Cycladen extra benadrukt.

Patriarca Boutique Hotel, Apollonia, Sifnos, , patriarca.gr, kamers vanaf €120.

Santorini

Santorini is dankzij zijn vulkaan de ster van de Egeïsche Zee. Logeren doe je bij voorkeur in een van de aanlokkelijke kamers in de omgebouwde kelderruimtes van het Perivolas Hotel. In de twee nieuwe suites wordt de elegantie en verfijndheid van de architectuur van de Cycladen naar een hoger niveau getild.

Perivolas, Oia, Santorini, , perivolas.gr, kamers vanaf €520.

Leave a Reply