Ano Mera is located almost in the heart of the island, just 8 km from Mykonos’ capital, Chora, a picturesque village on the way to the north-eastern beaches of the island. Cycladic beauty; picturesque alleys and traditional taverns. Somewhere there “nestles” Koukoumi, which is, in and of itself, a nest of hospitality.
“The driving force for the creation of the hotel was our love for Mykonos Island; its true and unpretentious beauty, its crystal clear waters, but also our inextricably linked to the island childhood years” says the owner, Georgia Kontiza.”We wanted to show the world the unknown, unexplored side of Mykonos; the side that only a few have experienced. For us, Koukoumi is not just ‘another hotel’, but a tranquil retreat for the sophisticated traveller. It is a home where we welcome guests and share with them our views on a holistic lifestyle through our exclusively vegan cuisine, elegant boho suites and facilities such as the spa, the gym and the magnesium pool. Here at Koukoumi, not only will vegan guests feel as if in their natural environment, but also each and every one will have the chance to experience an alternative and peaceful way of being, while satisfying all their senses” she explains and somehow I remember a Jared Leto quote that fits: “I’m a vegan. I respect the environment and do my best to spread the importance of the issue.”
“Here at Koukoumi, not only vegan guests will feel as if in their natural environment, but also each and every one will have the chance to experience and enjoy an alternative lifestyle. The guests leave all their worries aside and enjoy an experience based on harmony and healthy choices. In this very environment we wanted to bring a breath of freshness and renewal to hospitality, to show the human face of the island, to highlight its unpretentious beauty and to support a new philosophy of life: We can enjoy life without harming ourselves, nature or animals. For us, vegan philosophy expresses exactly how we feel about the island. While respecting the principles of authenticity, simplicity and balance, we offer an impeccable level of service, allowing the guest to leave worries behind, relax and enjoy a stay characterized by harmony and healthy choices” continues Georgia Kontiza.
-The Koukoumi Hotel is the first and only vegan hotel in Greece. What does this practically mean?
The entry of the elements of vegan practice in the hospitality sector is something innovative for Greek standards. The amount of research and work that has been done for its implementation is unprecedented, as it is a bold venture not only for Greek standards but also for Europe. The infrastructure and the services offered are fully compatible with the vegan philosophy. In other countries abroad the idea of “sustainable tourism” is quite widespread but still there is nothing in the Hotel Industry as integrated as Koukoumi. From our side we feel proud of this project. Our goal was and still is to contribute in our own way to the development of an environmental ethic. After all, the vegan philosophy is identified with love and protection for the environment, nature and humans. We have simply created the grounds for further development of this culture and lifestyle in Greece.
-How do people respond to your vegan call?
There is definitely a lot of interest from both the domestic and international vegan community. For someone who is vegan, Koukoumi, provides an excellent opportunity to relax in a stress-relieving environment, away from the strains of everyday life. At the same time, our full vegan menu as well as the rest of our services, allow our guests to experience the ultimate recreation without having to compromise on their lifestyle. Of course, our hotel also accepts those who do not embrace this specific modus vivendi. This is because we want to give people the opportunity to get to know and understand us and this new philosophy better.
-What is the culinary philosophy of the hotel’s restaurant?
Koukoumi restaurant lies at the very heart of the overall experience offered by our hotel. It is the only exclusively vegan restaurant in Mykonos Island and is open all day (by reservation), offering a rich vegan buffet and à la carte options for breakfast, easy meals by the pool and dinner. Vegan Chef Angeliki Charami is along with us again this year, creating her delicious dishes made with love and passion. Our cuisine is characterized by ethnic flavours coupled with a strong Greek tang. We use raw ingredients that have undergone little or no processing, while our vegetables are always fresh provided from trusted suppliers. For our raw recipes we use 100% organic ingredients. Everything is prepared with minimal processing in mind, while great importance is given to raw materials and waste reduction. In addition, we are proud of our collaboration with oenologist Chrysa Yatra Batzi, MSc O.I.V. Paris, who created for Koukoumi the first and only Certified Vegan Wine List in Europe with organic selections mainly from Greek and foreign producers.
-Why do we need to understand vegan consciousness and, thus, the importance of sustainability now – more than ever?
Vegan consciousness is a way of life and not a “way of eating”. It is related to ethics, health, the environment and one’s general attitude towards life. At the same time, the importance of sustainability is related to the need for a better planet, a more sustainable one. It is like trying to create a better version of yourself. Recent years have seen a shift in the world towards healthier choices alongside increased ecological consciousness. These two elements are the essence of vegan consciousness, which has started to gain more and more traction. The pandemic has also highlighted more than ever the urgent need to return to a more pure lifestyle with proper nutrition and exercise in order to achieve better health. If we really want to change our world and live in a sustainable environment, we ourselves must first adopt a holistic approach to life. And this is what you find in veganism.
-Tell me a little about the hotel (building, number of rooms, location, staff).
Koukoumi Boutique Hotel is located in Ano Mera, the only village of Mykonos. Designed by architect Lefteris Piskitzis and curated by interior designer Miltos Efthymiadis and the BRIEFCASE 2 team, our hotel is a typical example of traditional Mykonian architecture. The hotel includes 14 suites. Each one is unique, designed according to the traditional Mykonian architecture and bears decorative features that give it a distinct boho character with unpretentious luxury. All furniture, fabrics, mattresses and pillows have been carefully selected and are all made from natural materials. In the rooms, all beds are king size and some feature a whirlpool bath. Our hotel promotes a healthy lifestyle and includes a wide range of experiences; spa, sauna, massage, facial and body treatments for relaxation, rejuvenation and detoxification, using certified organic cosmetics and essential oils, exclusively plant-derived, cruelty free/not tested on animals and preservative-free. Additionally, Koukoumi has a novel, fully equipped gym, and offers, moreover, personal training both in the gym area and outside, as well as Hatha and Asthanga Yoga classes.
Although not a requirement, the majority of our staff is vegan. Vegan employees are of course very excited to be part of the project, while non-vegan staff members often adopt our philosophy after working with us for a whole season.
Mr Xenakis, our hotel manager, directs and coordinates this complex project with passion and love. Mr Xenakis shares with our family the same values, passion for detail and the same philosophy in terms of hospitality. Namely, that all guests eventually become our friends, whom we want to please so that they feel like home at Koukoumi.
-What would you say to someone who might be sceptical about the vegan lifestyle?
For those who don’t subscribe to the vegan philosophy, yet, want to experience an alternative lifestyle, Koukoumi is a new adventure. We would like those who choose to visit our hotel to understand, through the experiences we provide, that they can relax and enjoy unique moments in a different and alternative way; to discover what could be gradually changed in our lives for the good of themselves and the planet in general.
-What is Mykonos to you?
As we mentioned at the beginning, for us Mykonos is inextricably linked to our childhood summers. Our parents, Zannis and Calliope Kontiza, both come from Ano Mera. They grew up in this very place, and our father’s family home is right next to the hotel to remind us of the values they raised us with. Although Mykonos has changed a lot through time, we wish to introduce the visitor to its unpretentious version, the “other Mykonos”, the beloved island of our childhood.
ΑΝO MERA, ΜYKONOS
