InterContinental Crete 

A cosmopolitan seaside resort destination.

The question posed to Diarchon Architects was, how can a 3* hotel of the 1970s be transformed into a ultra-luxury five-star hotel? Diarchon Architects, together with partners, ventured into the transformation both internally and externally, presenting a new building but also a new landmark with hyperlocal features.

A guest approaching the building from the coastal road, is confronted with a modern architectural shell with water elements (plunge pools) on the balconies. The guest entering the hotel has a unique experience as from a noisy environment, one enters a bright and quiet environment, coming into contact with fundamental earth elements, water and earth defined by the inner atrium with the vertical rock and water on the floor as a natural consequence and natural lighting from the skylights.

The experience is enhanced by the "entrance" to the rock elevators, for the rise to the floors.

Project details

Architectural design: Diarchon Architects

Facade design: 3XN

Interior design: MKV Design (rooms, suites),

Inedito Architects (food & beverage), 3XN (lobby, restaurant, spa, conference, pools)

Structural design: Asme D&C

E/M design: Tekem

Lighting design: Aslight

Acoustic design: Group Science

Development, project management: Hines

Reinforcements, concrete: Cers

Construction: Vitael

Text: Diarchon Architects

Photos: Christos Drazos