When most Founders set out to start a business, they may think of the strategy, business and marketing plans, and how everything will look on paper. But this isn’t a story about a business, it’s a story about a calling. A home.
Allegra, Italian, grew up sailing around the Greek islands with her family on her Uncle’s boat, Gaia. Her first time in Andros was by coincidence. A friend of a friend recommended it to her and her family, and they decided to go and explore. They fell in love with a plot of land right by the water. There was a structure that was about 20% developed on the plot, and her family decided to listen-to-their-gut and purchase it.
After the land was purchased, they started a family project where Allegra’s father worked on the exterior, her mother on the interior, and Allegra devoted to cooking, sourcing antiques, and photography.
Mèlisses’ was born. A home away from home.
Mèlisses’ is a unique sea front accommodation on the island of Andros, Greece. It features intimate retreats, boutique events, and small celebrations. Initially, it was a venue for weddings and events, but then they received a message from a couple asking if it was open for bookings. That was the first time that Allegra’s eyes were open to the fact that they could have guests at Mèlisses’.
Mèlisses’ was never about being a hotel, and it still isn’t to this day; it’s a home. A home for like-minded travelers, creatives, artists, wanders, and multi-generations.
Conscious, sustainable living and travel is important to Allegra, and she doesn’t advertise Mèlisses’ as an accommodation. Mèlisses’, and Andros, is all about the beauty of the simple things. I haven’t been to Andros yet, but from an outsider’s perspective it looks like a true reflection of the island, flora and fauna, and the essence of the laid-back lifestyle. There is an array of curated retreats ranging from cooking to painting that are hosted each year. The retreats are all about seeing the island through the artists’ eyes.
Allegra also loves to show the beauty of the island through her photography and the people; “The fisherman, guy at kafenio selling jam; small realities… It’s about community.”
Mèlisses’ is a true reflection of what Allegra loves, “it grows with me.. it’s about the flexibility of having a project that grows with you”.
Allegra is a true testament that you can create, while staying true to yourself, an authentic life, brand, and experience for yourself and others. That it’s ok to give yourself permission to let your brand mirror your growth, and evolve with you.
Visit Mèlisses’ website to learn more about the story and book a retreat or stay.
Photos were provided by Allegra. More beautiful photography can be found on both Allegra’s and Mèlisses’ Instagram.
Olivia x
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