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With its elongated infinity pool overlooking a private beach—the social distancer's dream—The Wild Hotel by Interni in Mykonos, Greece sets a new standard for luxury and seclusion in the heart of the Mediterranean. The legendary holiday island made famous by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and countless celebrities who followed in her footsteps has no shortage of chic resorts. Still, The Wild truly seems like it leapt off the screen of a James Bond movie: all 40 rooms, suites and villas are amphitheatrically set above the sea in the quiet Kalafatis beach area of Mykonos.  Each accommodation, some with its own dining room and plunge pool, has its own distinguished style in synthesizing natural materials in an earthy palette.

         High-end design furnishings are matched with handmade lamps, artisanal objects with antiques, cotton and linen fabrics with soft leather, fine tiles with handcrafted floors. Every detail makes a difference—this is not your ordinary Greek island resort. As they say, The Wild is an expression of the philosophy and eclectic taste of the Varveris family, true lovers of Mykonos island. "We wanted to preserve the emotions and the feelings that the island exhales. To incorporate the experience of 'our' Mykonos in a place – wild at heart, mesmerizing, unspoiled, nonchalant and, at the same time, filled with culture, excitement and a cosmopolitan flair. The energy of this tiny Cycladic island that artists and bon vivants, free spirits and insightful travellers have fallen in love with for decades," Philip Varveris explains. He and his older brother Alex are the creative forces behind The Wild Hotel curators of the hotel's concept and design. "Along with a team of remarkable people," they add.

            As the hotel's attractive website elaborates, the two brothers learned from a young age to appreciate the value of quality, luxury and design. Leaders in the design sector in Greece for over 30 years through Moda Bagno and Interni, founded by their father, Nikos Varveris, and representing high-end design brands as well as exclusively crafted pieces, they are seasoned travelers and lovers of good food too and as such were also keen on embracing the value of hospitality. "Our home was always open to friends. Guests were constantly on the agenda, and in our holiday house in Mykonos, our father was usually found in the kitchen cooking for 20 or 30 people," Alex recalls. A place shared with a community of people sharing the same aesthetic values. "Whether one is from Los Angeles or Tokyo, we tend to recognize each other. And we are looking forward to meeting them," Philip concludes. "After all, Mykonos is a global hub."

            Indeed it is: during my brief stay at the wild, although one of the highlights was "finding my wild" at the small private beach that you reach via a long stone staircase (ladies, you'll definitely want to wear flats) down to the sand, another was the delicious cuisine. The locally-sourced Greek breakfast was one of the best I have ever had. With the new hygiene protocols, a team member guides each guest individually through the buffet. You can also order hot items like strapatsada, Greek scrambled eggs with feta cheese, and tomato. One morning at breakfast, with the Aegean Sea view as a backdrop, I chatted with a fellow from Turkey who told me some of his favorite places to visit in Mykonos and nearby Tinos. That global, cosmopolitan atmosphere is something for which Mykonos is renowned, and as the island it calls home, The Wild by Interni is both a place and a state of mind. For more information, visit thewildhotel.com.  

Photos by Anthony Grant