OUR LEGACY

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Ambassador Avaton Deos Imperial Kove Korali Kyma Myconian O Naia Panoptis Royal Sunrise Utopia Villa Collection
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There’s a unique charm in a family-run business—a seamless blend of heritage, loyalty, and heartfelt passion—that often defines the success of the world’s most exceptional enterprises. This philosophy is the cornerstone of a remarkable journey begun by a young couple from the island in 1979 with a modest bed & breakfast. Forty-five years later, as result of their vision and much hard work, the Myconian Collection is the leading hospitality portfolio on the island, with fourteen of the most luxurious hotels in the best locations. And of course the journey continues, under the management of their four sons, and with the third generation in training. 

A hidden gem

Mykonos long remained a well-kept secret, known only to archaeologists working on the excavations of Delos since the 1800s, and a few Athenian families. When the first visitors began to stop en route to Delos in the 1950s and were welcomed into local homes, the legend of Mykonian hospitality was born.

1950s

The First Venture

George Daktylides returned from military service with big dreams. Operating a bus to and from the barite mines, he soon convinced his brothers to invest in a fleet of 25 buses, establishing the first public transport network on Mykonos.

1963

Deep Island Roots

George married Eleftheria from Delos in 1969. They had grown up in a barter economy, trading local goods for sugar, coffee, and cigarettes. By the 1970s, with four young sons, they witnessed Mykonos transforming as boho travellers and the high society were drawn to its wild beauty and warm hospitality.

1969

A Hospitality Vision

Seeing potential beyond the island’s two state-owned hotels, George buys a second-hand Cat920 to dig foundations for a small hotel, and in 1979, opens Kohili, a 25-room B&B overlooking Mykonos Town’s windmills. George manages reception, Eleftheria runs the kitchen, and their sons help after school and during holidays, earning a reputation for warm, personalized service that leads to the opening of Korali to meet growing demand.

1978

Expanding Horizons

A loyal clientele returns year after year, inspiring the creation of Kyma and Kalypso. In 1987, anticipating luxury travel’s rise, George acquires land overlooking Platis Gialos Bay. The Ambassador, seamlessly built into granite boulders, becomes Mykonos’ first 5-star hotel, first Relais & Châteaux—and the first with an elevator.

1986

Shaping the Future

Inspired by their parents, all four sons attend a top Lausanne hotel school. With their education complete, they establish the Royal (2000), Imperial (2002), Villa Collection (2012), Utopia (2013), and Avaton (2014), securing Mykonos’s place in luxury hospitality. In 2012, George hands leadership to Panos, Markos, Vangelis, and Marios, who carry his vision forward.

1989

Renovating & Innovating

The beloved Relais & Châteaux Ambassador is renovated, blending modern elegance with Cycladic charm, while the luxury trio of Kyma, Korali, and Naia emerges from the very site of the Collection’s first B&B above Mykonos Town.

2015

The Best locations

Panoptis Escape crowns the highest point above Elia, blending minimalist architecture with breathtaking, all-seeing vistas – true to its mythological namesake. A year later, O’ redefines contemporary cool, a landscaped beachfront oasis on Ornos Bay that retains the charm of its fishing village origins.

2021

Timeless Beauties

Deos rises above Mykonos Town, distilling Cycladic essence in harmony with nature. The former Kensho joins the Collection as Kove, while Sunrise Beach Hotel, on one of Mykonos’s most secluded shores, is revitalised – capturing the allure of simple island life and reflecting the Collection’s evolving vision of hospitality.

2024

The Myconian Collection Today

Now spanning 14 luxury hotels, and with the green shoots of the 3rd generation in the wings, the Myconian Collection continues to offer exceptional guest experiences while preserving the island’s heritage, supporting environmental conservation and the Cycladic communities.

Today