Christiana Papageorgiou on Protecting The Soul Of A Place
For Christiana Papageorgiou, Santa Marina has never just been a hotel. Founded more than 40 years ago by her father, it's a place she has grown up alongside, watching both the hotel and Mykonos evolve over the decades. More than anything, it's where she learned the values that continue to guide her today: work hard, trust your instincts and never take anything for granted.
As Santa Marina celebrates its 40th anniversary, we sat down with Christiana to talk about family, life on Mykonos, the lessons passed down by her father and why the soul of a place is always worth protecting.
You're celebrating 40 years of Santa Marina. What makes you most proud when you look at it today?
The people. My family, the associates and collaborators, the guests and friends who have been visiting all these years. This is what makes me most proud. Of course, also seeing it develop stone by stone. Creating a place from nothing and watching it become the worldly and loved resort it is today. That is something special for anyone. I take joy from overcoming the challenges and from the appreciation we receive. We create and wholeheartedly offer the connections and experiences people like to have, and I'm very proud of everyone who is part of it.
What's the most important thing to protect?
The soul of a place. That is the most important thing. No matter how beautiful something is, no matter how good the standards are - the food, the rooms, whatever it may be - if it doesn't have soul, if it doesn't have heart, then that's what's missing. That's what really makes somewhere special and worthwhile, somewhere like Santa Marina Mykonos.
Is there something about Mykonos that hasn't changed in those 40 years
Mykonos has always been a very free-spirited place. People who visit can enjoy themselves and be as social, or not, as they wish. Mykonos still has the picturesque town and some of the most beautiful sandy seaside in Greece. There are the Greek tavernas and more traditional places but also has the popular beach clubs and restaurants.
What are some of your earliest memories of the island?
I remember going to the beach with friends and everyone was just free and relaxed. The men and women would wear a sarong and maybe a top for the women and that was it. Everybody would spend the day by the sea, then go into town, watch the sunset and carry on having fun. For me, it was always the sea. The beautiful water, the sand, the nature and the energy of the island.
If Santa Marina was a person, how would you describe its personality?
Vibrant. Warm. Caring. Beautiful. Someone who believes details matter, but who also wants you to belong, relax, enjoy yourself and feel pampered.
How did you learn to trust your instincts?
I go a lot in my life by feeling, which is not always the best thing to do. But my feelings have guided me. And we can't be too hard on ourselves. If we do something wrong, we do something wrong. It's okay. Nobody is perfect. I like to trust people. I like to give trust and give the benefit of the doubt. If somebody isn't acting in good faith, that's on them.
What did your father teach you without ever really saying it?
My father taught me a huge amount in life. He never directly said too much, but it was enough being around him. He was a huge personality. A very interesting self-made man. Clever. It was not always easy having him as a father because he was such a strong character and I was always very shy. But he taught me never to take no for an answer. Not to be embarrassed about things. To be strong. And never to be entitled. Nothing should be taken for granted. We fight for life. We fight for what happens to us. We work hard for the things we want.
If someone wanted to experience your version of Mykonos, where should they start?
Visiting the town of Mykonos town at around 8pm, the day after arrival.
Where would you send someone looking for the Mykonos you remember growing up with?
The seaside sunset places of Little Venice in town. I love that part of the town and the alleyways around the center. I also love to visit the church of Paraportiani.
Is there somewhere you go when you need a bit of peace and quiet?
I love going to Rhenia, the island next door. It's a peaceful, uninhabited island and one of my favourite places to swim. You can take a traditional kaiki boat across or arrive another way, but however you choose to get there, the sea and serene scenery are heavenly.
I also love visiting the Sacred Island of Delos once a year. An ancient city and open-air museum, it was once a major trading centre of the Athenian Empire and, according to mythology, the birthplace of Apollo, the God of Light. Delos, Rhenia and Mykonos all share a special energy. There is something about the light, the history and the natural beauty of these islands that continues to inspire me to this day.
Where should we head for sunset?
Little Venice for a sunset drink.
What's a place that holds a lot of memories for you?
Growing up by the sea
And where are we eating?
At Elais Restaurant, Santa Marina Mykonos.
Any final spots we shouldn't miss?
Beach clubs like Alemagou and Scorpios and town favourites such as Astra and Sappho. I also enjoy Katrin and the taverna Amades. There are so many wonderful places to discover in Mykonos — beautiful beaches, little tavernas and hidden corners. The truth is, you're spoiled for choice wherever you go.
Is there anyone you’d like to spotlight?
That's difficult because there are so many people. But honestly, my biggest focus is my two girls. Angelina and Ilia.