The first resort outside of Athens by the contemporary and culture driven YES! Hotels Group recently opened on the Greek island of Santorini. Adjoining the lovely Messaria village district, within a short drive from the airport, the luxurious Nous Santorini hotel bridges past and present seamlessly.

© Mariana Bisti

With a total of 121 rooms and suites, the property includes renovated existing hotel units as well as the extension of additional buildings, restaurant and bar areas, retail spaces, a vitamin and health bar, a wellness center, an outdoor and indoor pool, and a 10,000-square-foot overflowing pool at the center of the property.

Brought together by Divercity Architects and MPLUSM Architects, Noūs Santorini brings forth the unique qualities and narratives of the landscape, creating an international environment of modern luxury and indulgence. Upon arrival, a ceremonial entry promenade leads visitors to the reception desk by three successive pergolas designed as aerial, suspended gardens with climbing ivy, as well as a water course rolling over stepped lava slabs, a reference to the island’s volcanic history.

© Mariana Bisti

At the new reception, guests are greeted by a carved black wall, a reference to the black rocks on the volcano, and to the first image one has when approaching Santorini by boat. The reception opens toward the central swimming pool in proximity of the new spa building, recognizable by its sinuous curves unfolding into the landscape. The spa simulates the natural ravines dug into the soil, which characterize important settlements of the island.

In the spa, white-brick filters create porous boundaries and an interplay of light and shadow, bringing back one of the most successful architectural idioms of the modern reconstruction of Santorini after the 1956 earthquake. The property is inspired by the unique color palette of Santorini’s geological strata, where shades of graphite and black blend with rich tones of earthy reds, ochre and deep brown.

© Divercity Architects

The serenity and purity of the typically off-white Cycladic palette is enhanced to create a unique and lavish guest experience. A mix of terrazzo and fragmented colored marbles creates a playful floor in the restaurant, bar and staircases, conveying pace and flow while bringing together shared areas.

The curated art collection adorning walls and common spaces infuses the hotel with unexpected elements. The suites are developed into distinct levels to maximize views to the sea and to reference the topography of Santorini’s villages, nested against the slopes. The geometry of the walls creates a dynamic and playful visual landscape, gradually revealing the views while ensuring guests’ privacy.

© Mariana Bisti

Bright and comfortable, the interiors of the guestrooms overlay an assembly of terrazzo. The timber cladding in the rooms is smoke treated in reference to the volcano, and lighting elements are made of volcanic stones. The fabric partitions are composed of a rich earthly palette.