The joint venture partnership comprised of Shaner Italia, S.R.L., a division of The Shaner Hotel Group focused on operating hotels in the Mediterranean, and Athens, Greece-based CS Hospitality today announced it will operate the newly constructed Academia Hotel in Athens, Marriott Autograph Collection, and Moxy Hotel in Patras. Both hotels are on schedule to open by mid-2019.
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR)'s new agreement with Chandris Hotels will mark the return of the Marriott Hotel brand to the vibrant city of Athens, following an absence of more than two years. Once the hotel completes its $15 million transformation, the Athens Marriott Hotel will debut in 2018 with 366 guestrooms and the welcoming service and world-class amenities that Marriott guests worldwide expect.
Aria Hotels (www.ariahotels.gr), the boutique hotel and villas company wholly owned by the Libra Group, has announced the latest addition to its portfolio of properties on Crete. The Island Concept is a luxury boutique hotel at Agios Nikolaos currently under development by Mirum Hellas (www.mirum.gr). The hotel is expected to open its doors in 2019. This brings the total number of Aria hotels and holiday villas in Greece to 28. The company has added 8 Greek properties to its portfolio in the last 12 months.
Grecotel, Greece's leading luxury hotel group, has completed a wide investment project exceeding €42 million and creating 630 new jobs. The largest employer of the Greek hotel industry, Grecotel currently has 6,100 employees.
Following the opening of Ikos Dassia in Corfu in 2018, Ikos Resorts has announced a fourth property to its collection of luxury all-inclusive resorts, with the launch of Ikos Aria on Kos Island, Greece in May 2019.
A new Wyndham Grand Hotel is slated to open on the island of Crete in Greece in summer 2019.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Grand Hyatt Athens, marking the first Hyatt hotel in the Greek capital and the first Grand Hyatt branded hotel in Greece. The luxury property is located on Syngrou Avenue next to the Onassis Cultural Centre and combines dramatic architecture with innovative design, easily accessible to historic sites and best-in-class restaurants.
This newsletter provides a snapshot of the performance and outlook of the Greek hotel industry, within the broader context of the international hospitality industry as well as of Greek tourism and Greek socio-economic developments.
The lush landscape of the Cycadean island of Santorini paints an idyllic backdrop for the island's newest wonder: Istoria, a 12-suite retreat on Perivolos Beach. Displaying a unique blend of classic and contemporary aesthetics, this luxury hotel is as rooted in the past as it is in the present and is inspired by storytelling; a new tradition started by Design Hotels™ Originals Kalia and Antonis Eliopoulos who have steeped every corner of Istoria in a unique style that tells this island's story. The result is a property that merges seamlessly with the island's distinctive landscape while making a mark all of its own.
Hundreds of the leading figures of Europe's travel and tourism industry are heading to Athens, Greece, ahead of the World Travel Awards (WTA) Europe Gala Ceremony 2018. The red-carpet ceremony will take place at the historic Zappeion Megaron Hall on Saturday 30th June.
Located on Athens' Agia Eirini, a perfectly situated and charming Byzantine-era square that is off the tourist trail, Perianth Hotel is a modern refuge in this ancient city. Opening mid-July, the hotel is the creation of three siblings—Konstantinos, Anastasia and Alexandra Sgoumpopoulou—whose career paths and passions cross merchant shipping, art, and fashion, and pays ample homage to the Athenian modern movement. A 1930s building has undergone a full transformation—one that sees Greek star-designers K-Studio take the reins, choosing terrazzo floors, marble furniture, and glass brick to convey contemporary Greece. The hotel also shares its space with the Zen Center Athens, a unique institution devoted to meditation, martial arts, yoga, and Eastern philosophy.
Located on Athens' Agia Eirini, a perfectly situated and charming Byzantine-era square that is off the tourist trail, Perianth Hotel is a modern refuge in this ancient city. Opening mid-July, the hotel is the creation of three siblings—Konstantinos, Anastasia and Alexandra Sgoumpopoulou—whose career paths and passions cross merchant shipping, art, and fashion, and pays ample homage to the Athenian modern movement. A 1930s building has undergone a full transformation—one that sees Greek star-designers K-Studio take the reins, choosing terrazzo floors, marble furniture, and glass brick to convey contemporary Greece. The hotel also shares its space with the Zen Center Athens, a unique institution devoted to meditation, martial arts, yoga, and Eastern philosophy.
Located on Athens' Agia Eirini, a perfectly situated and charming Byzantine-era square that is off the tourist trail, Perianth Hotel is a modern refuge in this ancient city. Opening mid-July, the hotel is the creation of three siblings—Konstantinos, Anastasia and Alexandra Sgoumpopoulou—whose career paths and passions cross merchant shipping, art, and fashion, and pays ample homage to the Athenian modern movement. A 1930s building has undergone a full transformation—one that sees Greek star-designers K-Studio take the reins, choosing terrazzo floors, marble furniture, and glass brick to convey contemporary Greece. The hotel also shares its space with the Zen Center Athens, a unique institution devoted to meditation, martial arts, yoga, and Eastern philosophy.
Lefteris Tsikandilakis has risen to be one of the most respected architects in Greece. His work is recognized for both the scope of projects he's undertaken, and for the vision, elegance, and functionality of his designs. He and his growing team have managed to distinguish themselves even in the harshest of economic crises. And the functionality of the firm's aesthetic designs are a differentiator in the industry, identify the Tsikandilakis brand in a highly competitive field. I managed to catch up with Tsikandilakis some days ago to get his take on the current state of hospitality design. I approached the architect about his latest project in the tiny tourist Mecca of Agia Pelagia on Crete, SeaScape Luxury Residences. Here is that interview, which turned out to be one of the most fascinating I've ever had the pleasure of conducting.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with both Henderson Park and Hines for the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Greece, Grand Hyatt Athens. The opening is expected in Q3 2018. The hotel will be managed by Kokari Limited and will deliver bold and vibrant luxury for guests in this iconic destination.
Dr. Nikos Igoumenidis is a Heraklion, Crete native elected to the Hellenic Parliament to represent his region, home city, and Crete back in 2015. A cardiologist by profession, he's a former Director of Cardiology at the clinic of the University General Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), and currently responsible for tourism on behalf of SYRIZA parliamentary group. We had the privilege recently of discussing with Dr. Igoumenidis the character of Crete hospitality and tourism to come including emerging alternative tourism trends such as; wellness/medical tourism, cultural tourism, and the underdeveloped rural tourism niche. Here is what one of Crete's most respected and informed officials had to say on these subjects.
Grace Hotels has successfully launched its Strategic Labour Partnership, a new initiative to help retain talent at its seasonal hotels in Greece.
Officials of Shaner Italia, S.R.L, a division of The Shaner Hotel Group focused on owning and operating hotels in Europe, today announced the formation of a joint venture with Athens, Greece-based CS Hospitality to expand their hotel operations in Greece and Cyprus. By combining both operators' expertise and sophisticated operational procedures, the partnership will offer global and professional operating support to high-end hotels and resorts in the region.
This newsletter provides a snapshot of the performance and outlook of the Greek hotel industry, within the broader context of the international hospitality industry as well as of Greek tourism and Greek socio-economic developments. The strong growth path of Athens continues. In Q1 2018 international arrivals increased by a stunning 27.1% y-o-y and RevPAR at Athenian hotels increased by 14.6% y-o-y as a result of both increasing occupancy levels and room rates.
With 28 years' experience in the hospitality industry, Peroutseas joins from IFA Hotels & Resorts in London to lead the team at Grace Mykonos, following a career at numerous hotels in London and Greece. Peroutseas has gained deep knowledge of the industry through senior positions including Regional Manager EMEA overseeing brand performance and hotel openings for Meliá Hotels International, where he was positioned for six years, playing an instrumental role in the growth of the portfolio. Prior to this he held a variety of positions in front office and operations at Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill.