I visited the glittering Greek island of Mykonos, the summer destination of choice for billionaires - and it's a very different experience if you aren't swimming in money

Aug 5, 2018, 19:42 IST

Gorgeous, glamorous, and luxurious, Mykonos is Greece’s answer to Ibiza.

In the following decades, the island became known as a legendary underground party spot and a popular vacationing spot for the global LGBT community.

I arrived on the island one evening in late July, the peak of the peak season.

Before dropping me off, Michael informed me of a few tips to survive Mykonos.

To give you a lay of the land, on the first night, I stayed in Ornos for my try at frugality. On the second, I was in Platis Gialos to check out a more luxurious option.

For my first night and day, I wanted to operate on a frugal budget. Of course, in mid-summer that’s practically impossible in Mykonos.

Known as the "island of the Winds," Mykonos is famous for kite-surfing.

The first indication that Mykonos is a place for the rich hits you as you walk along the coast.

The first beach I hit in Mykonos was Psarou Beach, a notorious hangout spot for the likes of Russel Crowe, Kendall Jenner, and Lindsay Lohan, among others.

Psarou Beach is dominated by Nammos Beach Club, which offers a restaurant, bar, beach cabanas, and a chummy party scene.

Nammos is a different beast. Known as a see-and-be-seen kind of place, its reputation as a celeb haunt — Lindsay Lohan and Tiffany Trump were partying there in July — pays off.

Mykonos isn’t an egalitarian place. If you look like the kind of person who drops thousands (i.e. big watch, Louis Vuitton bag, etc), staff will treat you like royalty.

If dropping a few hundred for a seat isn't your style, there's a sliver of public space at every beach.

For dinner, I headed back to Ornos near my guesthouse. The village is well-known for having a number of excellent local tavernas at some of the most reasonable prices on island.

The next day it was time to kick up my Myconian adventure to the next level. I decided to stay at The Myconian Ambassador Relais & Chateau, one of the island's oldest and most luxurious resorts.

The Myconian Ambassador has all the elements of Greek island luxury: whitewashed curves, a stunning view of the sea, and private terraces with personal hot tubs. The view from the terrace and the pool overlooks Platys Gialos beach.

The Myconian Ambassador has all the elements of Greek island luxury: whitewashed curves, a stunning view of the sea, and private terraces with personal hot tubs. The view from the terrace and the pool overlooks Platys Gialos beach.

The ambiance at the property is calm, a welcome respite from the craziness on Mykonos's beaches. When you check in, staff bring you a welcome drink.

The pool at the Ambassador is so inviting it's hard to even want to traipse down to the beach. The loungers are big and comfy with massive umbrellas to block out the sun while you thumb your beach read.

The pool at the Ambassador is so inviting it's hard to even want to traipse down to the beach. The loungers are big and comfy with massive umbrellas to block out the sun while you thumb your beach read.

The hotel offers a few nice touches, like a complimentary iced bottle of water at your lounger. Staff come around every so often offering complimentary smoothies or products from the spa to freshen up. The life of even moderate luxury is ... good.

The hotel offers a few nice touches, like a complimentary iced bottle of water at your lounger. Staff come around every so often offering complimentary smoothies or products from the spa to freshen up. The life of even moderate luxury is ... good.

Afterwards, I headed up to the room to change before checking out the nearby beaches. The room, called its True Blue double room, has a hot tub on the terrace with a view of the sea.

Platys Gialos, a short walk from the hotel, is known for being a slightly quieter, more family-friendly beach. But, it being Mykonos, there is always a DJ spinning some tunes by the water.

Platys Gialos is also known for being good for water sports, though I only saw people lapping up the waves.

Still, the water is marred by the boats that fill the seafront. I'm sure it's nice if you are a millionaire or billionaire sunning yourself on your yacht. Many high-rollers island-hop from isle to isle on the comfort of their boats.

Still, the water is marred by the boats that fill the seafront. I'm sure it's nice if you are a millionaire or billionaire sunning yourself on your yacht. Many high-rollers island-hop from isle to isle on the comfort of their boats.

Mykonos has 25 beaches strewn along its coast, each with a different vibe.

Along the way, there was this little strip of sand that I later learned is called Hidden Beach. There were a few people hanging on their towels and blankets. It looked like a nice, secluded place to enjoy the day.

Along the way, there was this little strip of sand that I later learned is called Hidden Beach. There were a few people hanging on their towels and blankets. It looked like a nice, secluded place to enjoy the day.

A little further down is Agia Anna Beach, which gets its name from the St. Anna chapel nearby.

Open since 1967, Nikolas Taverna isn't cheap, but, for eating on the beach, it offers some of the most reasonable prices around. The thick and creamy tzatiki made me think I've never tasted the dip properly before.

Open since 1967, Nikolas Taverna isn't cheap, but, for eating on the beach, it offers some of the most reasonable prices around. The thick and creamy tzatiki made me think I've never tasted the dip properly before.

The dorado fish tasted like it had been just pulled from the ocean that day. Light and flaky with a nicely charred skin, the fish went perfectly with the grilled veggies.

A few minutes away is the real party at Scorpios. Only open since 2015, the beach club has quickly become the hottest and most expensive place in town.

Afterwards, I headed into town to get a view of the sunset. It was packed with people getting ready for dinner and thousands of cruise-shippers taking a tour of the town.

The sunset was, of course, spectacular. The sky was lit up into beams of gold, orange, red, and purple, as a cool breeze blew in from the sea.

While a few people were sitting and watching the sunset, most were trying to get the perfect shot.

One of the most defining features of Mykonos are its windwills, which are spread out around the island. The biggest ones overlook the main town. The Venetians built them in the 16th century to mill flour.

One of the most defining features of Mykonos are its windwills, which are spread out around the island. The biggest ones overlook the main town. The Venetians built them in the 16th century to mill flour.

In general, the cobblestone alleyways of the town are packed from sunset until late into the night, as everyone descends to have dinner or do some shopping.

The most popular place to watch the sunset is Little Venice, a row of fishing houses that line the waterfront.

While there are plenty of kitschy souvenir shops to get a T-shirt or postcards, many of the streets are lined with luxury shopping from top international brands, as well as Greek designers.

What would a luxury town be without a Louis Vuitton?

There are no shortage of art galleries to spend money. Gallery Skoufa is one of the oldest, having opened in 1981. It typically features Greek artists.

One of the swankiest places to eat dinner in Mykonos is Ling Ling Hakkasan, a Michelin-starred restaurant that will run a couple hundred bucks for two. But that's assuming you get a table.

I started the night at Semeli Bar in Little Venice, which had a choice happy hour until 12:30 a.m. If it isn't already obvious, people go out late in Mykonos.

I took this photo of Skandinavian Bar and Disco before sunset as they were getting set up. By the time I came back around 1 a.m., this terrace area was filled with revelers and the dance-floor upstairs was popping.

I took this photo of Skandinavian Bar and Disco before sunset as they were getting set up. By the time I came back around 1 a.m., this terrace area was filled with revelers and the dance-floor upstairs was popping.

The light show on the dance floor is pretty impressive. The music tends towards mainstream electronic dance music and house music. You could easily lose a few hours dancing in here. I did.

Located in the center of town for 30 years, Astra still retains its spot as a place to be.

The top place to party in Mykonos until the wee hours (and the one that put the island on the map) is Cavo Paradiso, a 2,000-person open-air club on a cliff overlooking the Aegean.

After a long night of partying, many expensive drinks, and little sleep, I got a chance to see the sunrise from the terrace of the hotel room. If you've got money to burn, there are worse ways to spend it than on this unreal view.

After a long night of partying, many expensive drinks, and little sleep, I got a chance to see the sunrise from the terrace of the hotel room. If you've got money to burn, there are worse ways to spend it than on this unreal view.

But then the hangover set in. The breakfast buffet, which only goes until 10:30 a.m., is a sight to behold at the Myconian Ambassador.

Later that day, at the recommendation of a local, I hopped on a ferry to the island of Tinos next door. So what did I think of Mykonos?

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I visited the glittering Greek island of Mykonos, the summer destination of choice for billionaires - and it's a very different experience if you aren't swimming in money

Gorgeous, glamorous, and luxurious, Mykonos is Greece’s answer to Ibiza.

In the following decades, the island became known as a legendary underground party spot and a popular vacationing spot for the global LGBT community.

I arrived on the island one evening in late July, the peak of the peak season.

Before dropping me off, Michael informed me of a few tips to survive Mykonos.

To give you a lay of the land, on the first night, I stayed in Ornos for my try at frugality. On the second, I was in Platis Gialos to check out a more luxurious option.

For my first night and day, I wanted to operate on a frugal budget. Of course, in mid-summer that’s practically impossible in Mykonos.

Known as the "island of the Winds," Mykonos is famous for kite-surfing.

The first indication that Mykonos is a place for the rich hits you as you walk along the coast.

The first beach I hit in Mykonos was Psarou Beach, a notorious hangout spot for the likes of Russel Crowe, Kendall Jenner, and Lindsay Lohan, among others.

Psarou Beach is dominated by Nammos Beach Club, which offers a restaurant, bar, beach cabanas, and a chummy party scene.

Nammos is a different beast. Known as a see-and-be-seen kind of place, its reputation as a celeb haunt — Lindsay Lohan and Tiffany Trump were partying there in July — pays off.

Mykonos isn’t an egalitarian place. If you look like the kind of person who drops thousands (i.e. big watch, Louis Vuitton bag, etc), staff will treat you like royalty.

If dropping a few hundred for a seat isn't your style, there's a sliver of public space at every beach.

For dinner, I headed back to Ornos near my guesthouse. The village is well-known for having a number of excellent local tavernas at some of the most reasonable prices on island.

The next day it was time to kick up my Myconian adventure to the next level. I decided to stay at The Myconian Ambassador Relais & Chateau, one of the island's oldest and most luxurious resorts.

The Myconian Ambassador has all the elements of Greek island luxury: whitewashed curves, a stunning view of the sea, and private terraces with personal hot tubs. The view from the terrace and the pool overlooks Platys Gialos beach.

The ambiance at the property is calm, a welcome respite from the craziness on Mykonos's beaches. When you check in, staff bring you a welcome drink.

The pool at the Ambassador is so inviting it's hard to even want to traipse down to the beach. The loungers are big and comfy with massive umbrellas to block out the sun while you thumb your beach read.

The hotel offers a few nice touches, like a complimentary iced bottle of water at your lounger. Staff come around every so often offering complimentary smoothies or products from the spa to freshen up. The life of even moderate luxury is ... good.

Afterwards, I headed up to the room to change before checking out the nearby beaches. The room, called its True Blue double room, has a hot tub on the terrace with a view of the sea.

Platys Gialos, a short walk from the hotel, is known for being a slightly quieter, more family-friendly beach. But, it being Mykonos, there is always a DJ spinning some tunes by the water.

Platys Gialos is also known for being good for water sports, though I only saw people lapping up the waves.

Still, the water is marred by the boats that fill the seafront. I'm sure it's nice if you are a millionaire or billionaire sunning yourself on your yacht. Many high-rollers island-hop from isle to isle on the comfort of their boats.

Mykonos has 25 beaches strewn along its coast, each with a different vibe.

Along the way, there was this little strip of sand that I later learned is called Hidden Beach. There were a few people hanging on their towels and blankets. It looked like a nice, secluded place to enjoy the day.

A little further down is Agia Anna Beach, which gets its name from the St. Anna chapel nearby.

Open since 1967, Nikolas Taverna isn't cheap, but, for eating on the beach, it offers some of the most reasonable prices around. The thick and creamy tzatiki made me think I've never tasted the dip properly before.

The dorado fish tasted like it had been just pulled from the ocean that day. Light and flaky with a nicely charred skin, the fish went perfectly with the grilled veggies.

A few minutes away is the real party at Scorpios. Only open since 2015, the beach club has quickly become the hottest and most expensive place in town.

Afterwards, I headed into town to get a view of the sunset. It was packed with people getting ready for dinner and thousands of cruise-shippers taking a tour of the town.

The sunset was, of course, spectacular. The sky was lit up into beams of gold, orange, red, and purple, as a cool breeze blew in from the sea.

While a few people were sitting and watching the sunset, most were trying to get the perfect shot.

One of the most defining features of Mykonos are its windwills, which are spread out around the island. The biggest ones overlook the main town. The Venetians built them in the 16th century to mill flour.

In general, the cobblestone alleyways of the town are packed from sunset until late into the night, as everyone descends to have dinner or do some shopping.

The most popular place to watch the sunset is Little Venice, a row of fishing houses that line the waterfront.

While there are plenty of kitschy souvenir shops to get a T-shirt or postcards, many of the streets are lined with luxury shopping from top international brands, as well as Greek designers.

What would a luxury town be without a Louis Vuitton?

There are no shortage of art galleries to spend money. Gallery Skoufa is one of the oldest, having opened in 1981. It typically features Greek artists.

One of the swankiest places to eat dinner in Mykonos is Ling Ling Hakkasan, a Michelin-starred restaurant that will run a couple hundred bucks for two. But that's assuming you get a table.

I started the night at Semeli Bar in Little Venice, which had a choice happy hour until 12:30 a.m. If it isn't already obvious, people go out late in Mykonos.

I took this photo of Skandinavian Bar and Disco before sunset as they were getting set up. By the time I came back around 1 a.m., this terrace area was filled with revelers and the dance-floor upstairs was popping.

The light show on the dance floor is pretty impressive. The music tends towards mainstream electronic dance music and house music. You could easily lose a few hours dancing in here. I did.

Located in the center of town for 30 years, Astra still retains its spot as a place to be.

The top place to party in Mykonos until the wee hours (and the one that put the island on the map) is Cavo Paradiso, a 2,000-person open-air club on a cliff overlooking the Aegean.

After a long night of partying, many expensive drinks, and little sleep, I got a chance to see the sunrise from the terrace of the hotel room. If you've got money to burn, there are worse ways to spend it than on this unreal view.

But then the hangover set in. The breakfast buffet, which only goes until 10:30 a.m., is a sight to behold at the Myconian Ambassador.

Later that day, at the recommendation of a local, I hopped on a ferry to the island of Tinos next door. So what did I think of Mykonos?