JOIE DE VIVRE: Nomad Mykonos

“…this feeling of freedom that overwhelmed her the very moment she set foot on Mykonos, the body that seeks to free itself of its clothes, the ambient joie de vivre, and of course the sense of belonging to the same group.” – [Transactions of Love by Nicolas Lakiotakis from Free Love Paid Love: Expressions of Affection in Mykonos]. We couldn’t find better words to describe this magical island. Its out-of-this-world landscape and azure waters, whitewashed architecture, and hostile nature, make you feel like you’ve reached the end of the world. There’s something about its enchanting aura of an ever-burning sun that makes us want to return again and again. When we saw Mykonos from the plane, we instantly fell in love.

HOTELS

In search for a private, unique and incomparable experience, we’ve chosen NOMAD hotel as our base to explore the island. Tricked out in natural materials and earthy hues, it raises the bar on this famous Cycladic Island.

Location

Set amidst the idyllic scenery of the island, NOMAD is located on the relatively quiet east coast of Mykonos. It sits on a slope giving guests a beautiful view of the island’s rocky landscape and the sea.

It’s just 200 meters from one of the most beautiful beaches of the Aegean Sea, Kalo Livadi. At the same time, the town of Mykonos is some 20 minutes by car, as is the airport. Renting a car or a scooter is essential, as there’s not much in the way of entertainment or restaurants nearby.

Architecture & Design

Iconic to the image of Greece, the whitewashed Cycladic House is the main inspiration behind the architectural approach. Mimicking the island’s vernacular architecture, its white cubicle suites with stone terraces blend in total harmony with the wild beauty of the Mykonian landscape. NOMAD takes luxury living to a new level, a carefully curated place in total connection with nature. Its sleek and minimalist interior design and open-air concept make it a dream for design-loving travelers.

Every element of the design is carefully thought out and handpicked—from the Aliveri gray marble and washbasins from Tripoli and Tinos to the handcrafted stone of the pools. Each suite features a custom-made artwork piece by the architect. NOMAD is all about the back-to-nature vibe rather than the frenzied Mykonos nightlife. The aim was to create a modern place synchronized with the traditional style but with a more neutral color palette of earthy browns, grays, and taupes.

Suites

Designed for total privacy, the hotel has 14 suites with a private courtyard, ranging in size from 35m2 to 110m2. We stayed at a top-floor Kukulu suite with a sea view, private pool, and a Jacuzzi. Deriving from the water element that surrounds it, the smooth merging of indoor and outdoor spaces offers the perfect balance between luxury and simplicity.

The suite is absolutely stunning, making it hard to leave and explore the island. The spacious bathroom has an oversized shower that fits two and a glass door that opens onto the courtyard. The bedroom has double doors that open out to the Jacuzzi at the foot of the bed and offer beautiful sunset views—if you leave the curtains open, the sun will creep into your room as it rises.

The swimming pool on the terrace is a decent size, allowing a real swim rather than just a dip. There is a big sun bed next to the pool, an outdoor kitchen with a dining table for room service breakfasts, and an outdoor shower.

The feeling of earth and sand between your toes while walking barefoot in your private sand room is absolutely priceless. It has big glass doors, so you can let the sun in and enjoy a peaceful meditation. In addition to that, there’s a secluded terrace where you can sunbathe without getting those annoying tan lines.

Dining

A celebration of Mediterranean cuisine, the Kukulu restaurant offers options for everyone—from comfort food to healthy meals. All the ingredients are fresh and naturally sourced, while the menu marries fine contemporary cooking techniques with ingredients native to Mykonos. The breakfast can be taken either on the terrace or in your room (which we preferred).