JETSETREPORT

How Mykonos became cooler than Ibiza

July 17, 2015 11.28 AM

Every year there's one destination that shines brighter than any other in summertime Europe. This year it's Mykonos. Unlike the South of France or Sardinia, this egalitarian destination is accessible by all and ignited by a fresh infrastructure of beach clubs, restaurants and nightlife that's currently filling the scroll of social media feeds everywhere.

Much like Ibiza that sizzled the last two years, Mykonos benefits from a substantially longer high season that lingers well through mid-September. Longtime hotel hotspots like the Belvedere perk anew with Six Senses Spa and competitor Cavo Tagoo gets an installment of Kiku Japanese via Athens. New hotels for the year include Mykonos Blanc Hotel along Ornos Bay that's home to Pasaji, a second eatery by chef Aris Tsanaklidis complete with a stylish new beach club. But in terms of beach clubs there is only one name for 2015 and it's Scorpios Mykonos - a hybrid clubhouse, chill terrace and beach eatery atop a deserted peninsula claimed by Instagraming bohemians and colonized with posh dining room and incredible sunset parties above Paraga Beach.

Back in town there's been a number of changes for 2015 including the sudden closure of Caprice, that blasé Little Venice cocktail lounge everyone ended-up at around sunset. In its place, new eateries like Nice n' Easy bring farm-to-table cuisine to town despite a lackluster name while Hakkasan debuts Ling Ling that does Cantonese supper club with a 3am dance floor. Not enough Zen? Buddha Bar Beach finds its lotus position in Santa Marina - but we say skip it. Instead, hit London's Toy Room back in Little Venice that proves popular with leggy expats and UK footballers. Nearby, London import Project Mykonos tries to convince the 4am dance crowd from heading to Cavo Paradiso with headliners like Alesso Martin Solveig and Benny Bengassi or Paradise Beach that manages to snag Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Tiesto and Felix da Housecat from Ibiza to the coolest summer scene of 2015.

Written by:

Michael Martin
Editorial Review Author
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