with its reputation for being a party paradise, favoured by celebrities and international a-listers, mykonos is a small island in the cyclades which has gradually established itself as one of the top luxury destinations in the mediterranean.
with its reputation for being a party paradise, favoured by celebrities and international a-listers, mykonos is a small island in the cyclades which has acquired a big reputation over the past few decades.
a summer destination just 40 minutes flight time from athens, it offers beautiful beaches, frenzied nightlife, high-end restaurants and superb accommodation ranging from cliff-top villas to boho boutique hotels. this is also an island with a strong lgbt culture and a destination where anyone who is someone has a designer villa, or at least knows where the most exclusive hotels are. fashionistas and socialites fly in discreetly and stay in privé hideaways or hang out in their super yachts in one of the island’s well-known bays while paparazzi bring out the telescopic lenses for superstar headshots.
the jenners and hadids can be seen vying for attention with the likes of the ultra rich, be that footballers like ronaldinho, fashion icons like georgio armani or hollywood stars like hugh jackman. paradise and super paradise beaches are the places to hang out while ornos, psarou and platis yalos are also known for being celebrity faves, surpassing the now très passé ibiza. dining is an elevated pastime on mykonos, with all-day restaurants like scorpios offering chilled-out cabana style ambience and fresh seafood while interni is for cosmopolitan foodies who like to overindulge on ceviche and champagne.
matogianni street boasts designer boutiques and chic cafés while the scenic waterfront spot known as ‘little venice’ sports colourful verandahs hanging over the lapping waves. mykonos offers a myriad of experiences and a wander through its pretty bougainvillea bedecked alleyways evokes a real sense of island life mixed with sophisticated vibes.
set above a secluded cove on the mykonian coastline, anise looks east across open water from a protected position sheltered from the island’s northern winds. the house follows the natural contours of the landscape, with whitewashed volumes, stone retaining walls and broad terraces stepping gradually toward the sea. from first light, the horizon fills the principal outdoor spaces with soft morning sun, while the rocky coastline below remains visible from nearly every part of the property.
the villa extends across 1,000 sqm (10,764 sq.ft.) on a 13,000 sqm (139,931 sq.ft.) plot and is arranged as a collection of interconnected living areas and private bedroom suites, allowing both openness and separation across the estate. traditional cycladic architecture is interpreted with restraint, combining smooth plaster surfaces, built-in seating, exposed stone and shaded pergolas that soften the scale of the house against the surrounding terrain.
the principal living spaces open directly onto the terraces and pool areas through wide sliding openings, creating a continuous connection between interior and exterior. inside, the atmosphere is calm and pared back, with pale materials, natural textures and carefully controlled light throughout. stone walls and timber ceilings introduce warmth to the otherwise minimal interiors, while framed sea views remain the dominant feature from reception areas and bedrooms alike.
ten en-suite bedrooms are distributed across the property with an emphasis on privacy and orientation toward the water. several suites open directly onto terraces or quiet seating areas facing the coastline, while others are positioned deeper within the grounds, surrounded by low mediterranean planting and stone pathways. the layout allows the house to function equally well for larger group s or for quieter periods when only part of the estate is in use.
the outdoor areas form the centre of daily life during the summer months. a long infinity-edge seawater pool extends toward the horizon, bordered by expansive stone terraces, shaded dining areas and built-in lounging spaces positioned to capture the changing light throughout the day. beneath a covered terrace, the outdoor living and dining spaces remain naturally shaded and protected from the wind, while the sound of the water below carries up from the cove beneath the property.
a private path descends directly to the sea, leading to a secluded rocky inlet and wooden deck positioned at the water’s edge. the transition from the upper terraces to the coastline creates a gradual shift from the openness of the views to the quieter atmosphere of the cove itself, where the water remains remarkably clear and sheltered.
anise combines the scale of a substantial waterfront estate with the restraint of traditional cycladic architecture, creating a house defined less by excess and more by its relationship to the sea, light and landscape of mykonos.
