Mykonos is known for its heat, both physical and metaphorical. Here, the Mediterranean sun blankets beachgoers, grazing bare skin with the touch of its rays. Yet nowhere is it hotter than at Kenshō Ornos boutique resort. Kenshō Ornos is more than a luxury boutique hotel in Mykonos: it is a true treasure of the Aegean. This sensual haven is a place fit for the gods and goddesses that fill the myths of the Grecian islands.

Kenshō Ornos offers all that Mykonos’ holiday set could desire. Upon arrival, a team resembling angels in white stands ready with bubbly beverages. Salty sea air drifts in off the water, combining with the sweet aroma of fresh fig to create an intoxicating perfume. The folds of the Aegean wash away the sweat that gathers along smooth surfaces of the skin. Plus, private pools swallow up feverish bodies, so they emerge cool and quenched to views of the Cycladic landscape.

With its sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, Kenshō Ornos is an oasis of pleasure amid the frenzied party scene of Mykonos. Within the resort’s stone and white-washed-wood walls, guests enjoy a pocket of tranquillity. Despite its private ambiance, it remains close to Mykonos’ city centre, meaning all of its plentiful amenities are only a few steps away. With luxury shopping, fine-dining, and booming clubs only moments from this refuge, Kenshō Ornos truly offers the best of both worlds.

History of Kensh0 Ornos

Kenshō Ornos opened in 2016 at Ornos Bay, the first establishment from Kenshō Boutique Hotels & Suites.  This treasure of the Aegean takes its name from a word denoting integration with nature. ‘Kenshō’ combines the Japanese terms ‘Ken,’ meaning seeing, and ‘shō’ meaning nature or essence. Thus, Kenshō suggests a sort of awakening or enlightenment: a stripping away of falsehoods and non-essential matters to reveal the bare nature of all. This is exactly the experience that guests can look forward to at the five-star hotel, where superfluity is done away with and refined luxury reigns.

A Treasure of the Aegean

Sitting just at the top of Ornos Bay along the beach of the same name, Kenshō Ornos could not be better situated. Ornos Beach definitely lives up to the high standards for Greece’s famous sun-soaked beaches. White sands deflect the Mediterranean heat that coats the island. Rays of golden light pierce through the waters, transforming them into sparkling mirrors of the sky.

Only a quick ferry ride away is the mystical island of Delos, the rumoured birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Once a fully functioning village, the island – now considered sacred – is home to a huge variety of fascinating ruins, which shed light on the cultures and customs of the ancient civilization that once inhabited it.

Mykonos is also well-renowned for its buzzing party scene. And while nightlife is easily accessible to anyone seeking it, at Kenshō Ornos, a serene atmosphere hovers over all. The property combines authentic Mykonian architecture with contemporary amenities, offering both classic Greek charm and modern convenience. In line with their minimalist nature-driven philosophy, the resort is constructed from locally sourced stone and reforested wood. For every tree used in Kenshō Ornos’ design, another seven trees are planted anew.

The boutique hotel is decorated using top-of-the-line designs from renowned designers and producers. Guests can lounge by the outdoor pool in sleek wicker loungers, or bronze while draped over cushioned couches made by Dedon. The pioneer of hand-woven outdoor furnishings, Dedon was the first business to transform synthetic fibre into luxury furniture. Accessories from the Italian Imperfetto Lab use recycled material to celebrate the ‘imperfections’ found in nature. Sprinkled throughout Kenshō Ornos, these products are an ode to the abounding beauty to be discovered in Greece’s natural landscapes.

 Some of the Most Sublime Suites in a Boutique Hotel in Mykonos

The 35 rooms in the hotel are no less inspired than the rest of the property, designed with total pleasure in mind. The hope is that every guest experience the slow luxury of the Mediterranean way of life. With their white walls and expansive windows, each of the 25 rooms and 10 suites are airy and bright. Despite the natural light that filters in, the spaces stay cool with individually controlled air conditioning. Every room also includes 100% cotton linen on the beds and Hermes amenities in the bathrooms. When even the shampoo is designer, there can be no doubt about experiencing the height of luxury.

Several of the rooms and suites offer additional amenities, elevating the already extraordinary baseline experience. For example, in the Design Suite, sprawling sea views can be taken in from a hanging wicker chair: the sophisticated older sibling of the hammock. What’s more, a private hot tub on the outdoor deck means that guests can drink in the glory of Aegean’s azure waters while soaking in the hot tub.

The Deluxe Room opens out onto an expansive terrace, most often drenched in sunshine, where a private plunge pool awaits. Emerging from beneath the pool’s steamy surface, guests will open their eyes to the view of white stone buildings speckling the distant hills.

Peace-Promoting Wellness

Further gratifying the weary body’s desires is the Kenshō Cave Spa. The spa combines the glory of nature with the sophistication of modern technology. With two treatment rooms, steam baths or traditional Turkish ‘hamam’, an indoor jacuzzi, and tropical rain beds, it has all the means to melt away worries.

The resort aims to promote wellness overall through its tranquil atmosphere and peace-promoting privacy. That said, the white-washed, cave-like space of Kenshō’s spa is the place to go to give all the way in to undisturbed indulgence.

For those whose skin has seen the consequences of the salty sea, perhaps a regenerative facial is the fix. Creamy shea butter and hydrating Baobab oil come together in this treatment to nourish the skin, keeping it supple even after all that time under the Mediterranean sun. To relieve stress, sink into a full-body massage. The healing properties of pure plant extracts are used to revive the body and thus the whole being. Essence of sweet almond, sesame, apricot, and macadamia oil mingles with the floral aromas of lavender, neroli, and chamomile to soften and smooth the skin.

Meals the Mediterranean Way

On top of its offerings of sun, sea, and serenity, the treasure of the Aegean that is Kenshō Ornos is also home to a range of creative culinary delights. At the Kenshō Ornos Restaurant, executive chef Ippokratis Anagnostelis combines traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with contemporary gastronomic techniques. The result is dishes unlike any other. Small plates or ‘meze’ are served in line with Greek gastronomic philosophy. Guests can therefore enjoy a wide array of Mediterranean flavours.

For breakfast, satiate your sweet tooth with loukoumades: traditional Greek doughnuts drizzled with thyme-honey. Earthy cinnamon and crunchy walnuts provide a pleasurable contrast to the sugary soft dough. At dinnertime, sink into a light and local scorpion fish bathed in lime juice and basil oil. Pungent ginger gives the dish a fresh kick, while tomato and lemon leaves lend it citrusy undertones.

A Holiday Never to be Forgotten

While it is difficult to imagine an atmosphere where the bohemian and the bon-vivant would feel equally at home, Kenshō Ornos nonetheless manages to accomplish this feat. With its emphasis on authenticity, this treasure of the Aegean offers denuded luxury without excessive frills. The boutique resort radiates an easy, unpretentious sophistication that ensures the enjoyment of every type of traveller, making it an ideal Mediterranean getaway.