Namrata BhawnaniMykonos Boutique Hotel – Leonis Summer Houses Review
Mykonos’s wild beauty can be fully appreciated when you have the perfect vantage point – and Leonis Summer Houses has a view that will inspire serious envy. Perched on a slope, this Mykonos boutique hotel offers dreamy, sweeping views of the beaches of Ornos and Korfu and is within walking distance of Agios Ioannis beach, the stunner where Shirley Valentine was shot. The sunset at Agios Ioannis is truly mesmerising!
Combine the staggering views with true Greek hospitality and you’re on to a winner. My husband and I spent two blissful nights at Leonis Summer Houses and loved the attention to detail, the friendly team and a lovely sense of privacy (it’s precious on an island brimming with gregarious party-loving tourists!). Needless to say, we were very spoilt!
The summer houses near the pool
The Story
At Ecophiles, we love places that have an interesting story to tell – the owners Joanna and Orfeas loved travelling and the sea, so they gamely learned how to sail and cruised around the Greek islands. Mykonos cast its irresistible spell on them and when they found a field with the perfect view, they decided to build a hotel on that spot.
Now their son Leonidas has taken over and we meet him at Leonis. In true Greek style, he’s hospitable, warm and helpful. The team makes us feel right at home and in fact, they guided us with where to go and when – and the sunset tip was most handy!
Where modern and traditional meet
The Location
Mykonos beaches are the definition of glam – stunning blue waters, sandy beaches (rare in Europe) and well heeled, well buffed bodies langurously sprawled on sunbeds are a common sight. Leonis is within walking distance to the picture-perfect fine sand Ornos beach with its shimmering blue waters and easy going vibe. Here, you have access to beach front bars and restaurants, bakeries, souvlakis (Greek fast food) and anything you may need.
As travel lovers, this is the sort of location we are always looking for – Leonis is secluded and offers a wonderful sense of privacy but everything we need is within easy reach. Best of both worlds really! If you don’t want a hectic holiday in Mykonos, this location makes it very easy to just relax and master the art of doing nothing!
What a view!
The Architecture and Design
The stand alone villas are prettily spread out over different levels to ensure privacy with personal space for sunbeds. The swimming pool and bar offer a panoramic view of the beaches and the town – and we wake up to this view every morning – with steaming coffee and a fresh breakfast with local flavours! What more can one ask for!
The character and design of the self-catering villas is in keeping with the traditional Mykonos architecture. Leonis renovated the summer houses not too long ago, so there’s a fresh modern aesthetic that prevails – without losing out on the feeling of homely comfort. It’s easy to go overboard and end up with an impersonal touch when trying to bring a place up to date – but the labour of love shows and Leonidas has achieved the balancing act between modernity and traditional to offer a personalised experience.
Lovingly refurbed interiors
Green Cred
Apart from its distinctive architecture, the garden within Leonis Summer Houses is a source of the variety of organic products, including tomatoes, fresh onions and green peppers, grown using Permaculture. This fresh produce finds its way to our breakfast table – and it’s the ideal way to start your day. They also use olive oil produced from their own olive trees in the mainland of Greece.
Leonis Summer Houses is awarded with “ISTOS” (“Innovation for Sustainable Tourism & Services in the South Aegean”) – this is based on the assessment of the diminishing of the environmental impact caused, supports the region’s historical and cultural identity and operates within concrete quality standards. A green travel experience with heart!
Villas over different levels offer a sense of complete privacy
Finally…
My husband and I left Leonis summer houses (reluctantly!) feeling that this was not just a place for us to spend the night – it was the whole experience that left us with fantastic memories. This was Greek hospitality at its most gracious – making us feel right at home in this gorgeous island.
Find out more about Leonis Summer Houses on their website!
Also Read:
Mykonos: A Mediterranean Romance in Style
