HISTORY OF THE ROCHARI
by Mary Holmquist

The site of the Rochari Hotel was purchased by Panagiotis Kousathanas in the early 1960's because the location was convenient, in town and on the main road. Mr. Panagiotis used it as a staging area for construction materials used in his general contracting business at a time when Mykonos Town was first building and growing to accommodate the early tourist industry. He built the first family house on part of the site when he married Mrs. Maria and started his family. In the beginning, Mr. Panagiotis and Mrs. Maria lived and raised their children in their house that eventually became part of the present day hotel. Flats, that were a part of the original house, were rented out by Mrs. Maria as early as 1972 because tourist accommodations in those early years were in short supply. The construction of the Rochari Hotel was not started until 1974, opening its doors for business in 1976. The Rochari Hotel was one of the first hotels on Mykonos to have an organized 24-hour front desk reception. As the hotel expanded and business grew, so did their family. Some of the guests from the early years still return year after year and have watched the four Kousathanas children grow. It is no wonder that in present day the children (now grown) are now involved in the operation and maintenance of the hotel with Mr. Panagiotis, the family patriarch, still firmly at the helm.

The Rochari Hotel contains the heart, sweat and tears of Mr. Panagiotis and his family with their hands-on approach. In addition to constructing the hotel, Mr. Panagiotis has greeted his guests, tended bar, keeping people entertained with his stories and even enjoyed driving the hotel bus until mid-2005. He continues to oversee the hotel, his sheep and the farm, where the family moved in 1989. The front desk reception and dining room was graced with the face and heart of Mrs. Maria for many years, whose smile, charm and genuine hospitality made the guests feel more than welcome and a part of the family. Mrs. Maria is still sometimes found at the front desk, in the kitchen or the laundry room while still attending to all of her family's needs (as Greek mothers do) and running errands for the hotel...whatever needs to be done, she is there.

At one time or another, all of the Kousathanas children left Mykonos to study abroad, something that was not available to their parents. Their parents wished for them to extend their studies beyond what is offered on Mykonos (opening their eyes to a bigger world) and broaden their horizons. Stavroula, the youngest daughter, now manages the hotel and takes care of all reservations. Stavroula is married and has started her own family. Thanos, the oldest son, is married and helps manage the hotel, takes care of the finances and maintenance and follows in his father's footsteps continuing in the construction business. Marsoula, the oldest daughter, is married and raising her family. She helps her mother with the many hotel/family errands and is currently running a motorbike rental agency with her husband. Konstantinos, the "baby" of the family, has finally returned from completing his recent military service and is using his computer expertise to assist in the workings of the hotel, helps on the farm and wherever he is needed. Everyone in the family has taken turns wearing many hats and helping where necessary from the time they were very young. This truly is a family effort and operation.

The Rochari Hotel, named after the area of Mykonos in which it is situated, lives up to its namesake. The name Rochari, meaning 'gracious flow', originates from the small stream that flowed through this area in past years. On the north side and below the hotel you can still see the remains of this small stream.

Tourism has changed over the years and this hotel has evolved, but gracious hospitality, warmth and that personal touch continue to welcome guests as a part of the Rochari 'family'.