Nōstos is the New Sustainable Retreat Reinventing Greek Hospitality

A heirloom hotel becomes a modern refuge in the Cycladic Islands

Name:
Nōstos
Location:
Serifos, Greece
Photography:
Courtesy of Nōstos
Words:
Erica Nichols

At Nōstos, a sense of home is felt upon arrival. A cozy lounge welcomes you in, bright accommodations provide a kindred home base, and a thoughtful location offers all of Serifos best features at your fingertips. This 17-room heirloom hotel is bringing a fresh face to Greek Hospitality, blending modern musts — breezy rooms, textured comforts, an eco-centric identity — with the history and coastal lifestyle that defines the Cycladic Island’s Serifos. It’s also a love note; from one owner to another. For Harrys and Bianca Spyridakos, every inch of Nōstos is inspired by its original owner, Harrys’ grandfather.

After years of traveling around the world — and picking up hospitality experience along the way — taking over Nōstos was a chance to connect back to Harrys’ roots. It was a homecoming in every sense of the word, “nostos” translating to ‘the desire to return home’ in Homer’s Odyssey.

With new eyes came a new approach, infusing the classic whitewash property with humble textures and bright neutral spaces. An indoor/outdoor layout welcomes communal lounging, no reception desk encourages a more personal approach to hospitality. By far the most poignant change was the Spyridakos’ infusion of sustainability. They selected eco-mindful architects C-O lab to pioneer the renovations and partnered with Swiss-based Climeworks for carbon capturing. Equal parts stylish and no-frills, Nōstos is a chilled, off-the-radar refuge opening early summer in the Cycladic Island of Serifos.

Read more about the build below with our exclusive interview with co-owner Harrys Spyridakos.

VISUAL PLEASURE: Nōstos is rooted in its familial history. How did you strike a balance between its storied past and the future you envisioned?

Harrys Spyridakos: We were keen to preserve my grandfather’s vision while also introducing a fresh Cycladic concept of what hospitality should be like. We drew inspiration from my grandfather’s heart-warming smile when he used to own the hotel, which is a good baseline for every new encounter we’ll be having with our guests, when we welcome them to the “new” Nōstos this summer. We also chose to restore the property to the name it had when my grandfather first bought the hotel. When the property was acquired by a third party, its name was changed. So, when Bianca and I took over, it felt right to change it back. The name also reflects my desire to connect back with my roots, having lived abroad for more than a decade.

Having studied hospitality and traveled extensively ourselves, we had a clear vision of what a traveler values today. We chose not to have a reception desk at the hotel because we don’t like the idea of a physical barrier between guests and our hotel staff. Instead, we created an inviting space where guests can arrive, unwind, and be escorted to their rooms. We avoid check-in queues by completing mundane but necessary tasks prior to guests’ arrival online. We’d rather have a conversation with them when we first meet everyone, rather than asking them to fill in forms. So, we mapped out the guests’ journey in order to enhance the value added touch points and replace the unnecessary ones with frictionless processes. Another example is that all guests can chat with us before, during, and after their stay through a dedicated WhatsApp number. We just want to be there for them, but discreetly.

“The name also reflects my desire to connect back with my roots, having lived abroad for more than a decade. The word “nostos” in Homer’s Odyssey means the desire to return home.”

“We chose not to have a reception desk at the hotel because we don’t like the idea of a physical barrier between guests and our hotel staff. ”

“Altogether, the approach we chose reflects the true character of the building; not just a space, but a story chapter. Not just a hotel but a welcoming nook.”

How did you develop your design goals and what were some inspirational sources?

In general, we were inspired by the Cycladic landscape and architecture for our design story, adding an extra touch of luxury and comfort. The building was in need of love when we acquired it and we undertook the process of redesigning the interiors with Athens/Serifos-based architectural practice C-O lab. White plaster, cement mortar, natural chestnut wood, metals, and earthy linens can be seen throughout the hotel. The landscaping reflects much of the rest of the Cyclades with low shrubs like stipa, thyme, and lavender. Altogether, the approach we chose reflects the true character of the building; not just a space, but a story chapter. Not just a hotel but a welcoming nook.

Why was it important for Nōstos to be an eco-friendly concept?

We simply choose to be part of the solution, not the problem. Creating a hotel business with sustainability at its core is a natural extension of who we are. On top of that, following sustainable practices has a tangible positive financial impact on our operations so it was really a no-brainer for us. Hoteliers who have adopted sustainable operations would know the benefits and the decision to invest in cleantech solutions was one that we will follow in future projects.

Share more about your collaboration with Climeworks.

I came across Climeworks as a startup investor; I started looking into what they do and I was immediately hooked. The technology they have developed captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it safely deep underground. This way, this particular “batch” that is captured and stored will never impact the atmosphere any longer. It’s fascinating. Although the global impact requires scale and resources, the benefits of the solution are very tangible and measurable. We kicked off our collaboration with a direct capture and permanent storage of an initial “batch” of 1,000kg of CO2 from the air, with more to follow.

“Creating a hotel business with sustainability at its core is a natural extension of who we are.”

Why should Nōstos be at the top of people’s must-visit list?

Nōstos is truly a fresh concept in the Greek hospitality scene. It is a stylish hotel, made for the conscious-minded traveler who seeks an unexplored destination in the Greek islands. Serifos is a wonderful destination for those looking for something above and beyond a glittery façade. It has history, beautiful hiking paths and a vibrant community of restaurants, cafes, bars. It is a place where one can enjoy both a sense of privacy or community.

What makes Serifos stand out among the Cycladic Islands?

The island offers stunning landscapes and traditional Cycladic architecture. It is less developed compared to popular tourist destinations like Santorini or Mykonos and I personally believe that its lack of airport facilities is its most valuable asset. It is less developed and less touristy than some of the other Cycladic islands, which gives it a more authentic and traditional feel.

How do you think boutique hotels like Nōstos are changing the hospitality industry?

Boutique hotels have been playing a significant role in transforming the hospitality industry. We differentiate ourselves by offering unique and personalised experiences to guests, as this focus on individuality allows guests to have a more intimate and memorable stay. We also pay great attention to our interior design, architecture, and overall aesthetics. This emphasis on aesthetics creates spaces that attract guests seeking a more immersive experience. Additionally, due to our smaller size, we can provide more personalised and attentive service, compared to the “one size-fits all” approach of bigger hotels. I think in general, boutique hotels have brought a fresh perspective to the hospitality industry by focusing on individuality and design.

“Nōstos is the projection of our aesthetics, experiences, and perception of what hospitality should feel like.”

Nōstos was the first SME (small/medium enterprise) in Greece to receive an NRRF loan last year — what did that mean to you and how did that assist you with your project?

For us, this was the springboard to execute our business plan and turn Nōstos into a reality. The funding allowed us to implement a suite of green initiatives with many parameters, including thermal building insulation, thermal pump cooling and heating, and use of solar panels. From our perspective though, the most important aspect was the democratisation of access to capital. This is a signal to us that investing in Greece and its tourism was the right thing to do and we are very happy that we did so.

Nōstos operates with an authentic approach to hospitality. What are some of those core values?

Our philosophy is that fine hospitality doesn’t need to come with a five-star price tag, but it should definitely feel precious. This is the culmination of years of travels with Bianca (including a 3+ month road trip across the US, before Instagram and #vanlife were a thing) and extensive studies and work experience in the industry. Nōstos is the projection of our aesthetics, experiences, and perception of what hospitality should feel like. Having experienced so-called “bad” service in 5* hotels and truly memorable moments in 2* properties worldwide, we have come to realise that empathy and understanding of other fellow humans are the key values that any hospitality business should hold dearly.