Atoles Retreat in Santorini

Natural sensation

The hotel, situated in Imerovigli at the edge of volcanic rocks, is comprised of five undercut residences with courtyards arranged along the plot, creating the impression of an open terrace overlooking the Caldera and the Aegean Sea. One distinctive feature is the central pedestrian street that splits the design in two parts.

Location and Orientation

At the upper level, a villa is situated alongside the reception. Below the pedestrian level, four additional suites are developed, connected by a central outdoor staircase. The rooms are designed through varying typologies and oriented to maximize views of the Caldera and the volcano. Each suite features a courtyard that leads to a swimming pool, creating a seamless visual connection with the water.

Design Philosophy

Special emphasis is placed on ensuring the privacy the outdoor relaxation areas around the pool. The interior design follows a minimal approach, in keeping with the island’s traditional architecture. This achieves a harmonious blend of the traditional and the modern elements. The decor is simple, featuring Cycladic elements like built-in furniture and raw materials. The material selection imparts a sense of naturalness as well as subtle gloss to the space. The interior is dominated by pressed cement mortar, marble, and oak, while warm wood tones are seamlessly combined with the natural simplicity of cement mortar.

Landscape Design

In the exterior, the extensive use of raw, natural materials ensures continuity with Santorini’s landscape. This is evident in the monolithic treatment of the floors, featuring fine-grained and rough light-colored mosaic flooring in the outdoor and pool areas. The lighting design focuses on creating a uniform light diffusion throughout each space. Accent lighting is used to illuminate selected elements such as bathroom and office countertops, producing a more atmospheric effect. Special emphasis is placed on planting the exterior spaces, primarily with local low-height flora that harmoniously alternates with the existing natural features of the Santorini landscape.