Cascading the hillside towards Ornos Bay, Kalesma Mykonos, a boutique privately owned hotel, has been thoughtfully crafted to resemble a charming, traditional Cycladic village though a series of beautifully designed, whitewashed houses – all a mere stone’s throw from the beach. Whilst Kalesma is inspired by old-world Mykonos, the hotel retains a sense of modernity throughout, reflected in its chic interiors to the meditative spa.
Kalesma (translating to ‘inviting’ in Greek) is a cocoon of privacy on this cosmopolitan island. Aiming to show true Mykonos, the expert concierge and co-owner Aby Saltiel can bring Mykonos alive for each guest through their years of deep knowledge and understanding of the island – from off-the-beaten-path restaurants you’d never find yet are around the corner, to private charters around neighbouring sacred Cycladic islands, once a sanctuary to the gods Apollo and Artemis.
Aby has an interesting background, having previously worked in fashion as creative director at Vilebrequin – amongst other fashion roles, but has always been passionate about hospitality following summers in Mykonos and growing up in Thessaloniki. Aby then co-opened Kalesma Mykonos in 2021 – a sanctuary of serenity amongst the party scene of what Mykonos is more traditionally known for.
He is a true Greek insider, letting guests know the best ‘secret’ spots in town, and Kalesma offers experiences that go above and beyond, from immersive theatre and, new for 2024, spa treatments by world-renowned Dr Barbara Sturm.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Who is Aby Saltiel?
Born in Thessaloniki, I moved to the US in 1981 to work in the fashion industry, where I became the American partner of two French high-end fashion companies. After selling these companies in 2017 I was hired by Vilebrequin as creative director of their ready-to-wear clothing line.
Why did you decide to create your own hotel?
I’ve always been passionate about hospitality, and this led to co-owning acclaimed restaurants in Athens – Pere Ubu and Sea Spice – before Kalesma was born. For the past 30 years, Mykonos has been a haven for me, while Aleomandra served as the cherished home of my partners, Maki and Sofia Kousathanas. Throughout our summers spent there, we were constantly drawn to the vibrant energy and unique aura of the place.
In 2003, the idea of creating a hotel in Greece crossed my mind and although the initial plan did not materialise, there was one person who believed in this venture – Makis Kousathanas. His support was enough to convince me that if I ever ventured into a business in Greece, it would be with him. And so, we made it happen!
Do you see similarities between the fashion industry and luxury hospitality?
There are a lot of similarities between the two. Fashion intertwines closely with design, which is also a key element of hotel and restaurant interiors. At Kalesma, we have drawn inspiration from the stark beauty of the arid, rocky landscape and deep blue sea. Similarly, fashion designers also look to their surroundings for ideas. The allure of captivating design attracts people to fashion items, just as it does to hotels and restaurants. Fashion enthusiasts often lead the way in discovering the best hotels, with others following their lead.
Both industries also require strong attention to detail, from the stitching and quality of a garment – whilst in hospitality, amenities, service and design all enhance the overall guest experience.
How would you describe Kalesma to somebody who has never visited?
Kalesma is a home away from home for guests. There are high standards in every detail from accommodation to service. Privacy is very important to this equation, too, since we have a lot of guests who demand the absolute best. The land on which Kalesma stands belonged to my partners and every summer we spent holidays together in the property that used to be there, so the idea is for our guests to feel that we have ‘opened our house’. We welcome them as our very special guests and Kalesma Mykonos is designed like a large courtyard where we meet with friends, eat, drink and have a wonderful time!
Mykonos is one of the most popular Greek islands. What unique concierge experiences can you offer guests that make the hotel stand out?
The team at Kalesma are locals with an innate knowledge of the island and its history, they introduce guests to the real Mykonos, from private beaches and artist studios to the hidden taverna around the corner and the best boutiques. As such, the concierge doesn’t offer a set list of experiences. They tailor experiences to each client, looking at their preferences and plans, trying to understand what would please them.
What inspired the design and architecture of the hotel?
Our vision for the hotel design was a contemporary interpretation of Cycladic style, a mixture of tradition with contemporary elements. We turned to Myconian tradition, local history and the ‘aloni’ – an old existing threshing floor – for inspiration for the style and character of the project. We emphasised the authentic Greek hospitality that you would experience in a traditional Cycladic village.
What is new at Kalesma Mykonos this season?
This summer, our brand-new spa is opening with products and custom treatments by Dr Barbara Sturm, exclusively for Kalesma in Mykonos. There will be two treatment rooms, a hammam, sauna and a cold plunge tub.
What is Kalesma’s culinary offering?
We had decided from the start that the food should be authentic Greek. Our chefs at Kalesma Mykonos masterfully combine the pure, authentic flavours of Mediterranean cuisine with the cosmopolitan vibe of Mykonos Island.
Kalesma is a breath-taking venue for a destination wedding. Tell us more about this.
Weddings at Kalesma offer the perfect combination of natural beauty, elegant surroundings, and exceptional service, to create a truly memorable and romantic celebration. Kalesma’s unique location permits different vistas since the hotel has locations facing both sunset and sunrise.
Where do you travel to in your free time? What are your favourite hotels?
We are a family that is always on the move, so we love travelling to new countries and experiencing new cultures – one of our favourite destinations is Brazil. My love for hotels started about 40 years ago at the Regent Hotel in Hong Kong, and my most admired hotels are La Réserve in Paris and Villa La Coste in Provence.
