Modern Minoan
By Monica Rogers, contributing editor -- Hotels, 5/12/2008
Dramatically interspersing pools of water, palace-inspired colonnades and contemporary landscaped courtyards, Amirandes Grecotel brings fresh design ideas to Cretan architectural traditions. Greek myth has it that because Zeus, god of hospitality, was born on Mount Idi in central Crete, wherever the mountain’s shadow falls, hospitality is at its warmest.
That is just one, charmed explanation for the selection of Crete as site for Grecotel Amirandes, one of Greece’s most stunning new seaside resorts. Merging the grandeur and precise alignment of ancient Minoan palace architecture with the sunny soul of contemporary Crete, Amirandes opened May, 2008. Built by Greece’s reining hotel scions—the Daskalantonakis family—the hotel is the 20th resort in the family’s 40-hotel portfolio.
Combining renovation of the resort’s original, ‘70s structure with new build sections, architect Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) worked with British landscape firm Scape Design Associates to draw inspiration from the classic Greek architectural muses of water, fire and earth. “Earth” is represented through the use of indigenous Milatos stone and the strategic placement of evergreen shrubs and wind-tolerant trees such as olives, date palms and carobs flourish throughout the resort and fill restaurant courtyard spaces, Fire pits throughout the property give historical context and add warmth to dining areas and lounges. Water is a unifying element throughout. “The resort has an amazing coastal relationship to the sea,” explains Kevin Scholl, senior vice president at WATG. “So we sought to bring the sea right into the property through the main lagoon which allows the buildings to sit right at waters edge.”
Water. Structure, Shape
As if sky meeting sea weren’t dazzlingly blue enough, fiber optics make Amirandes’ signature lagoon even more so, adding extra twinkle to the nightly reflections of fire and light on water surfaces. Not just to look at, there are also plenty of pools to splash about in: there is an Olympic-sized pool, two beaches, watersports center, children’s pool and 100 private plunge pools sprinkled throughout the various suites and villas. Reminiscent of local water basins used to store rainwater, the main swimming pool provides dramatic views out to sea and has been architecturally adorned with axial shade colonnades, offering shelter to its several swimming lanes.
Lending structure and shape to the resort, the WATG drew principles of strong axial design from Minoan palace architecture. Covered walkways and colonnades lace through interlocking landscaped courtyards with all that water in between. The resort is entered through a terrace of mature palms recycled from the site. Proceeding through grand entry gates that are three meters tall, you then reach the lobby colonnade—a procession of six-meter-tall columns that lead to the breathtaking vista of the central lagoon and grand colonnade. To the left of the lobby, food and beverage venues beckon. To the right, guestrooms line the adjacent to the swimming pool. Blurring boundaries, as much emphasis has been placed on the design of open air spaces as has been given to interior spaces, which are in many cases equal in size.
Built To Suit
In guestrooms, floors are tiled in neutral tones, with white-walls, white-cushioned furnishings and white bed linins.Bright yellow, persimmon, red and zebra striped accents (ottomans, cushions, handwoven fiber art) add vibrancy. Baths and showers are generous. Tubs are equipped with color therapy technology.
Catering to a broad clientele, Amirandes offers 22 accommodation types to suit varied budgets and interests, from superior guestrooms in the main building with sea and garden views, to family villas with individual pools. Bungalows and Comfort Suites with al-fresco living areas are arranged in the style of a traditional Mediterranean village. Many open onto a palm-studded stone terrace with a private pool overlooking the sea and tropical rain shower private courtyards all set within secluded sections of the resort. Unique Villas have a private beach with individual villa gazebos. Custom-designed and built of Mlatos stone, these split-level villas come with upper-floor bedrooms with arched ceilings with exposed wooden beams. Lounge areas are on the ground floor and include large private pools and dining areas.
Tasteful Variety
Five different dining venues likewise offer myriad dining options. Most are arranged around a water courtyard surrounded by indoor/outdoor pavilions that have been designed to adapt to the weather. Adding drama, each pavilion has high ceilings and custom lighting features. The properties Greek restaurant is housed within a stone pavilion at the sea’s edge and has a large, open, wood burning fireplace. The Italian-themed Lago de Candia restaurant is partially submerged adjacent to the lagoon, so diners look out through tall windows, right at waters level. Amirandes’ Asian-fusion restaurant, the Blue Monkey, is a fiery red throughout. Features here include woven reed chairs that are artworks in their own right. There are also display cooking areas for sushi preparation and wok-cooked meals. The open air Xasteria courtyard tavern is centered around a waterfall. And the indoor/outdoor Labyrinth Lounge Bar—which is tucked under the main lobby—faces terraces and seating areas that are partially submerged into the lagoon. Three flaming fire three fire pits theatrically float in the center of the lagoon, creating the visual focal point for lounge guests.
The hotel’s soft opening from August to October 2007 was a success with average occupancy levels of 75%, says Judy Smith, deputy marketing director for Grecotel. She predicts occupancy rates will reach the companies average of 92.5%, in 2008. Helping this along, Crete, in addition to being the largest, is also the most southerly of the Greek islands and therefore attracts tourism from early Spring to late Autumn. The resort’s main competition comes from a few luxury hotels in the Elounda area of East Crete.
