In short… The WILD is an elemental and tranquil stay on a cliff’s edge on the raw side of Mykonos, from the family team behind a noted Athenian design concept store.
The surroundings… Set on a cliff’s edge on the southwest side of Mykonos, roughly 20 minutes’ drive from Chora (the island’s principal town). The WILD is far enough from the crowds, beach clubs, bling and late-night restaurants that pulse with music, yet close enough to get a dose of all that vibrance when you want, with the beauty of returning to complete tranquility.
The background… Mykonos was, at one time, a hub for freedom-seekers, creatives and bohemians—an inheritance that the Varveris family, The WILD’s owners, aimed to bring back. It all began with a restaurant, the Millennium Interni, which opened in Chora in 2000 when the island was just starting to become a major summer draw. Its proprietor, Nikos Varveris—founder of Athenian concept store Moda Bagnia, father of Alex and Philipe—yearned to create a place on his beloved island where the family’s holiday villa had long been the setting for lively dinner parties. Nikos designed Interni in collaboration with renowned Italian interior designer Paola Navone, and its success planted seeds for a hotel. The vision was simple: to channel the raw side of Mykonos that the family had always loved, which meant location was paramount. The coordinates eventually presented themselves on the southwest side of the island, and in 2019 father and sons finally opened The WILD, a tribute to the rugged and unspoiled Mykonos, built on a natural amphitheater-like rock with a view of the Aegean.
The vibe… With white Cycladic-style buildings set above a cove where fishermen once kept their boats, the WILD is a natural extension of the island’s authentic origins. The reception area and an open lounge with low couches, and a long antique wooden community table are reached through a humble entranceway. All the hotel’s facilities are laid out under the open sky on a long, wide terrace. A long infinity pool organically follows the curves of the cliffs. From the tavern at one end to the open-air fitness space on the other, everything faces the sea.
The rooms… The 40 rooms vary in size and layout, but are consistent in their simple design, incorporating organic materials and colors. Most rooms have sea views with large terraces, some have an outdoor shower or bath, and some a beautiful garden. Go all-in and book the latest addition, understatedly elegant 2-BR Authentic Villa, with a small outdoor sunken spa tub and a terrace seating that makes room service a must.
The wellness… A cave-like corner at the very edge of the hotel holds a small hydrotherapy waterfall spa pool. As our visit was in early May, the temperatures dived in the evening, making this a great source of warmth, followed by a Swedish massage in an adjacent treatment room. The open-air gym is just below the spa, with functional training equipment as well as a rower, exercise bike and treadmill in tasteful walnut. The private cove beach just below the pool is the perfect answer to any prejudice against this popular island—the wind is still and there’s no music, just the sound of the glittering sea and waves rolling in on the sandy shore.
The food… The traditional Greek taverna interior of blue-painted furniture is swapped for wooden plank tables and chairs with woven seats. Breakfast is Greek specialties with the inevitable avocado toast and acai bowl, as well as green juices and “health shots”—highly recommended scrambled eggs with a mix-in of spicy tomato paste and herbs. The lunch and dinner menus are Greek with a nuanced Mediterranean kitchen, where feta makes way for other local goat cheeses and Italian classics such as burrata and parmesan. The menu also features risotto and pasta, prepared with local, seasonal ingredients and the daily catch. The hotel’s new restaurant, RAW, with seating on small rock ledges along the cliffside, serves sushi and crudo—the seaweed salad is divine. Or guests can head out in the early morning with a fisherman using the hotel’s own traditional small trata fishing boat, and later have the catch prepared as desired.
Be sure to… Ask the hotel about a daily boat hire to explore the sea and beach at Rinia. While on the boat, visit the island of Delos or hop on a 30 min. ferry ride from the harbor to Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and UNESCO recognized for its great archeological site. For a fun night out, dine at Interni in Chora, where the music is just as plugged in as the food and ambiance. Visit Chora in the morning to avoid crowds, enjoy an espresso freddo at Little Venice, and get lost in the narrow Cycladic streets.
Parting words… We left with a feeling of tranquility and plans to return with our 5-year-old daughter, as The WILD—unusually for a cliffside hotel—welcomes children. Visit in shoulder season for the most authentic and tranquil experience.
Date of stay… May 2024
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