The inspiring story of how the native Myconian Daktylides family built their exclusive boutique hotel empire, brick by brick, is the stuff romantic travel films are made of.
Now the proud owners and operators of 11 spectacular luxury properties occupying the most sought-after destinations on holiday hotspot Mykonos, the Daktylides family are among the original accommodation providers on this glorious Greek island. Their lifelong commitment to offering heartfelt hospitality and authentic experiences is still a hallmark of every guest’s stay, whether in the portfolio’s original property or their brand-new contemporary opening, O by Myconian Collection.
For the Daktylides family, luxury isn’t just in the visible details such as the building materials, the plush interior décor, the exceptional art, the stunning swimming pools – it’s in the sense of heritage, loyalty and personalised attention guests enjoy as soon as they check-in, an ambience often described as more akin to a sumptuous private villa than an international hotel.
Ever since the founding father, George Daktylides and his wife Eleftheria became the island’s third-ever hoteliers with their first property back in 1979, with Eleftheria cooking breakfast for the guests and cleaning their rooms, and the couple’s four sons – Vangelis, Panos, Marios and Markos – setting tables and serving meals, the family’s privileged relationships across the island have discreetly opened doors to Mykonos’ best suppliers and most exclusive experiences. This is a benefit still enjoyed by hotel guests today who dine on lamb and pork hand reared on Daktylides family lamb and enjoy fresh octopus caught exclusively for Myconian Collection restaurant chefs by one of the island’s most iconic fishermen, Panagiotis.
These days, the Daktylides family remains firmly grounded in Mykonos, with the four brothers continuing the family trade at the helm of its hotels, and their children attending school on the island.
Someone once asked me what advice our parents gave us along the way,” said Vangelis Daktylides, General Manager of the Myconian Ambassador Hotel. “My answer was short: they led by example. In French, I believe there is a term for it, l’éducation silencieuse. We are each other’s most honest critics and loyal allies. When we balance the pragmatic demands of a competitive business with deeply rooted emotions, we’re not just planning for the financial year, but also for the next generation.”
Guests at the Myconian Collection enjoy access to the island’s most delectable dining experiences, indulgent spa treatments, blissful beaches, chic pools and lively bars, as well as beautiful rooms, suites and villas in which to truly unwind at the end of the day.
The family’s famous five-star, personalised guest services range from collecting your shopping and unpacking your suitcase, to booking an afternoon on a charter luxury yacht, organising a private helicopter flight, or snaring an elusive table at one of the island’s hottest restaurants or authentic clifftop tavernas.
The family also gives back to their island home by participating in local environment and conservation initiatives, recycling waste, donating worn linen to aged care facilities, prisons and monasteries across the Cyclades and desalinating seawater for use across its portfolio.
