Despite his work in hospitality, Antonis Kalogridis still sees himself as primarily a theatre director. He stages experiences and explores the roles people take on in their lives. Working on the amazing hotels of the Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts is his way of bringing about the spaces he has always wanted to have available to him; spaces as the ones he designed for Panoptis Escape at Elia beach and O by Myconian Collection that can take their surroundings and their guests further.
How would you summarize the concept of the two hotels that you recently designed, their main characteristics, the spirit of their decoration?
For O by Myconian located on Ornos Bay, the concept is very much based on a stylish beachfront resort. Its design reflects the concept of slow luxury-filled living where all the senses are reawakened. The “green” design ethos that we based our design philosophy upon showcases the beauty of natural materials in their raw state. Almost earthy in feel, we have used a design language that is deeply rooted in the timeless appeal of Hellenic antiquity and the primitive luxury of Greek island life. As for the Panoptis Escape, with its high location above Elia Beach, we wanted to create a more roughly hewn bohemian atmosphere where guests can truly enjoy Mykonos’s famous winds and intense sunshine. It’s utterly luxurious whilst being almost wild like the island itself. Every accommodation here is so different and individual, made up of surprising textures and colour palettes.
How are they similar and different from the other properties in the Myconian Collection’s portfolio?
I would say that O by Myconian and Panoptis Escape are similar in how they are expertly run and their level of service but differ in terms of their holistic concept and nature-based philosophy. O by Myconian really is the type of property where you can comfortably wander around barefoot from your suite to the beach and back again, while Panoptis Escape almost lifts you up into the sky due to its high location; it’s so quiet even though it’s only a few minutes away from Mykonos Town.
Where do the materials that are used come from? How do you justify the choice of these materials in particular?
We source a lot of our materials locally so they are in touch with the local vernacular – such as unprocessed woods, stone, rocks, raffia textures, and plants. The design for O by Myconian relied very much on marble, while a greater emphasis was placed on using wood for Panoptis Escape – both materials were used in large quantities. All of the design details and furniture were crafted by Greek craftsmen exclusively for the hotels, making them totally unique in that sense.
What were the main challenges in these hotels in terms of optimizing spaces or views from the rooms?
At O by Myconian, the challenge was to triumph in creating a luxury beachfront resort where there was an evident dialogue between design and nature, where guests are free to feel what they want, to be serene and quiet or joyous and celebratory. So, the challenge here was to create an ambience that allowed for that through the architectural language and design. For Panoptis Escape, we wanted the property to offer 360 views over the Aegean and to work through all of the constraints that arose. Generally, though, the main challenge was how to translate the landscape into a hospitality project. For me, interior design is all about helping people be inspired by what is unique in a specific time and place, it has to make you feel good about where you are, but also remind you not to stay still. It has to be the perfect match between the real and the possible.
Are there any details in the design that you are particularly proud of?
At Panoptis Escape, I’m particularly proud of how the design captures the light of a sanctuary, drawing on the theme of guests reconnecting to nature. For O by Myconian, the design was very much based on bringing the qualities of the sea into the accommodations. We wanted to place a large emphasis on sustainability and the open and airy interiors in the accommodations definitely reflect that.
What are the key ingredients of true luxury in travelling?
The greatest privilege has to do with the destinations – not about choosing the place but about choosing what that place means. Any place you find yourself can be a finish line or a starting line – compensation or inspiration. The defining moment of luxury in travel is bringing the two together, about turning your travels into a revolving door, an experience so strong that it moves you to any direction you choose. You might be travelling to celebrate an achievement, or because you are gathering up the strength to go after one. Ideally, the two should not feel different, because you will always be getting ready to reach a higher peak, and you will always deserve to be rewarded for it.
How does interior design affect a traveller’s experience?
It has to do with that revolving moment. Interior design must make it easier for people to see clearly in all directions, to choose their path among many. At the same time, it must help them to be inspired by what is unique in the specific time and place they find themselves. It is a fine line, like the horizon. Interior design must make you feel good about where you are, but also remind you not to stay still. It has to be the perfect match between the real and the possible, and it must allow guests to break on through to whichever side works best for them.
