56 THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY
MYKONOS RIVIERA HOTEL & SPA
Lafs, the Greek speciality restaurant, only
opens in the evenings and its simple interior is
therefore designed to feel cosy and be seen by
the light of its many glass pendants and loosely
woven raffia shades which cast shadows across
the room. From its outdoor terrace overlooking
Hora, diners feel like they can touch the town.
Lafs has the air of the best Greek in town –
unpretentious, convivial and authentic.
The 500 sq metre spa includes six treatment
rooms, a thalassotherapy pool with therapeutic
showers, a hammam, sauna, relaxation room
and hairdressing salon. The interiors are pure
and simple with polished concrete finishes
predominating embellished by pebble channels
in the floor and a sculptural wall to one side of
the pool; although the spa is sunken, natural
light penetrates the space via a small outdoor
courtyard.
Most of the guestrooms and suites overlook the
Aegean Sea. Their interiors are bright, spacious
and designed with a sleek nautical touch. A rope
motif strung across the ceiling suggests rigging
on a boat and splashes of Mykonian blue enliven
the otherwise all-white palette; all the rooms
enjoy an outdoor terrace. The bathroom area
is finished in the iconic white marble of Naxos
together with weathered timber, and the free-
standing vanities are within the bedroom area,
together with, in some rooms, a bath tub.
Among the many room types, there are a
number of suites raising the luxury experience
to a further level, including suites with a heated
jacuzzi on their terrace, duplex spa suites in
which the lower floor is dedicated to pampering
and fitness and the 70 sq metre Pool Suites,
each with a private pool. A three-bedroom
maisonette crowns the guest offering with its
own infinity pool and a huge, fully furnished
terrace.
“This has been a very special project for
us, given our role over the years as interior
WEBSITE: www.mkvdesign.com
designer at the Riviera’s sister resort, The
Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort,” says Maria
Vafiadis, Founder of MKV Design. “In this
new project, we have created a retreat just
a stroll away from the main town in which
guests can feel completely connected with the
most beautiful and transformative aspects of
Mykonos – its natural landscapes, centuries old
architectural character and its sense of simple
luxury”.
All photography: credit Niall Clutton