Crete’s ACRO Suites Fuse a Sense of Place, Design, and Serenity
London, UK: ACRO Suites, one of Crete’s newest luxury wellness hotels, is opening to guests for the first full season in April 2022. The property pays homage to its surrounding nature through the considered use of materials and textures. To ensure their vision was properly brought to life, the hotel’s owners sought out the best local Greek designers and craftsmen to collaborate with across the property for an authentic Cretan feel. The rough marble details, natural stones, and unrefined wood complement the look and feel of the hotel. The final result is a boutique hotel that is well worth travelling for.
The elegant design sensibility is proof that design is fundamental to well-being and that the right luxury resorts can help to transform the location that they’re in for the better. Sustainability plays a large role in the hotel’s ethos, with natural materials sourced from Crete such as stones and wood. Sheets and fabrics are all made from organic materials. Food is sourced locally from small farms on the island, all from an organic kitchen with plentiful vegan and vegetarian menu options available. Every suite and villa in the hotel are accompanied by saltwater private pools with breath-taking Cretan Sea views allowing guests to enjoy ultimate privacy in blissful surroundings.
Each of the 49 suites and villas are based on a palette of soft hues and natural earthy tones. The rooms all feature unique design details and sweeping views of the Cretan Sea. Early risers can enjoy the warm morning light filling the room through the panoramic windows. With a focus on quality, the rooms have been furnished with natural materials including wood, stone, glass, raw silk bed covers, and marble from Ancient Festos. The hotel worked with local artisans to create custom-made marble furniture with wooden accents for each of the suites and villas which provide an oasis of calm for guests to unwind and relax in, whilst taking in the magnificent views.
ACRO Suites is a lifestyle destination, and it was important that the communal areas inspire the guests of the resort. With themes of serenity, simplicity, and tranquillity running throughout the property, interior designer Manos Kipritidis worked closely with the owners of the Cremnos restaurant and cocktail bar, The Circle. Drawing from the local design and surroundings, the food and beverage offerings feature copper and wooden finishings, earthy tones, custom-made marble dining tables, and natural fabrics. The design is pure and minimalist but with attention to detail in the specifics.
The in-house spa, the Bath House was created with the Greek luxury architectural agency, Utopia Hotel Design. Marrying curved smooth stone with soft natural elements, the layout is based on the shape of a traditional hammam. The oval space plays with light and the element of water with large byzantine marble baths for the ultimate soothing effect. The lounge areas and post-treatment relaxation areas have neutral tones providing a calming environment for guests to relax after a signature treatment. The Bath House also features an outdoor pool and a heated pool for those who would like to relax and refresh after a yoga session in the Asana Yoga Shala.
The Asana Yoga Shala is a striking piece of architecture and one of the hotel’s signature buildings dedicated to wellness. Created with bamboo, a naturally sustainable material, the open space interior features a circular design and a variety of environmentally conscious fitness equipment. www.acrosuites.com