Xenia 2025 | Metropolitan Expo

The Red Spot Stage successfully concluded this year’s program as part of Xenia 2025, bringing together over three days leading architects, designers, manufacturers, investment consultants, and hoteliers in a cohesive dialogue on contemporary hospitality architecture. With high attendance and steady interest across all thematic units, the Stage highlighted new trends in design, sustainable development, and strategic collaborations shaping the future of Greek and international hospitality.

The program opened with presentations focused on the financing of tourism investments, offering practical tools and modern guidelines for integrating new projects into existing funding schemes. The contributions of Konstantinos Pantelis (Anodos Group), Kostas Vamvakas (VK Premium), and Manolis Koutelias (Noisis) established a clear framework for planning and implementing development initiatives in the hospitality sector.

 

 

Particularly noteworthy was the Creating Synergies section, where a series of case studies showcased integrated collaborations bringing together architects, lighting designers, interior designers, manufacturers, and hoteliers. Among the standout projects were JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, Electra Rhythm Athens, The Social Athens Hotel, Rocabella Mykonos, Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port, Athens Capital Suites, Anthology of Athens, Homa Villas, Minos Palace, Pnoes Tinos Luxury Villas, Adama Boutique Hotel, and Amphitheatro Boutique Hotel. These presentations demonstrated the importance of a modern, team-based approach in which design, operational strategy, and brand identity function as a unified whole, from concept to completion.

During the three-day event, two major under-construction projects were also presented. Set to open in 2026, they already serve as reference points for the next generation of hotel developments: Hilton Chania Old Town, located in the historic center of Chania, and Serendi Villas in Ibiza, one of the largest and most ambitious resort projects currently under development on the island. The Serendi Villas presentation also highlighted the significant role of the Greek creative community in international hospitality, as Greek firms are responsible for the architecture, interior design, and lighting of the project.

 

 

The Hotel Design Trends thematic unit offered a comprehensive overview of new approaches in hotel design—from sustainable development and green energy to branding, storytelling, and room redesign. Participants from companies such as Vitex, PPC (Public Power Corporation), Daikin, Interweave, Semiotik Design, HUB Lighting & Innovation by Kafkas, Exalco, and others demonstrated how technologies, materials, and creative strategy collectively shape the hospitality experience of the coming years.

This year’s Red Spot Stage wrapped up three days of meaningful dialogue and high-level presentations, showcasing the maturity and breadth of the Greek architectural community in the hospitality sector.

For the third consecutive year, ek magazine curated, designed, and coordinated the program of The Red Spot Stage, creating unified and coherent content that connected professionals across the entire hospitality spectrum.

Xenia 2025, Greece’s leading tourism exhibition, returns to the Metropolitan Expo from November 22 to 24.

For the third consecutive year, ek magazine -drawing on its extensive experience in architecture, construction, and design- will curate and coordinate the architectural presentations at “The Red Spot Stage.”

The stage, located in Hall 2, has been designed by Rena Sakellaridou and her practice RS Sparch, creating a space of exceptional aesthetics that will host prominent Greek architects, contractors, lighting designers, and hotel managers. Through carefully selected case studies, the program will explore the challenges and solutions behind recently completed hospitality projects.

This year’s presentations will be structured around three main sections:

 

Creating Synergies

Case studies dedicated to newly completed hotel projects. Each session will bring together the project architect with their team of collaborators (lighting designers, landscape architects, contractors), alongside the hotel owner or representative. This format offers a comprehensive view of the project’s journey, highlighting strategies, experiences, and key challenges, from initial concept to final realization.

 

The categories include:

• Resort
• City
• Villas
• Renovation / Reuse

 

Design & Business Planning

Talks focusing on strategy, planning, and hotel operations, with a strong emphasis on preparing for inclusion in and financing through investment programs. Each day of the three-day event will feature a specialized presentation on ESPA (National Strategic Reference Framework) funding programs, delivered by renowned strategic and investment consultants. These sessions aim to equip participants with practical tools for planning, financing, and growing their tourism ventures.

 

Hotel Design Trends

Dynamic panels and presentations that showcase the latest developments in hotel design and operations, introducing forward-thinking ideas and innovative practices. Discussions will address the evolution of the modern hotel experience, the strengthening of branding and identity, and the role of storytelling as a key driver in creating distinctive hospitality experiences. Topics will also include green energy, sustainable development, technology & digitalization, as well as wellbeing & biophilic design. The program seeks to demonstrate how architecture and design shape the future of hospitality by combining high aesthetics with functionality and sustainability.

 

Detailed Program of Talks:

Saturday, November 22

Design and Business Planning

11:45–12:30  Funding Methods for Investments in the Tourism Sector

• Konstantinos Pantelis | CEO, Anodos Group

Creating Synergies

12:30–13:00  JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa | Resort

• Sotiris Tsergas | Architect, Block722 Architects
• Antonis Vasilakis | Owner, JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa
• Thomas Doxiadis | doxiadis+, Architect-Landscape Architect

13:00–13:45  Electra Rhythm Athens | City

• Manos Gogoulis | Architect, Mutiny Architects
• Evi Kapeli | Creative Strategy & Development Director, Interweave
• Loukianos Tiktopoulos | Partner & Project Manager, Ballian Techniki
• Giorgos Spyropoulos | Electra Hotels & Resorts, Chief Operating Officer

13:45–14:15  The Social Athens Hotel | City

• Maria Papafigou | Architect, OOAK Architects
• Konstantinos Chondroyiannis | CEO, BC Perigramma

Hotel Design Trends

14:15–15:00  Green Development & Sustainable Hospitality: From Energy to Materials

• Stratos Boumpouras | Technical Training Manager, Vitex
• Apostolos Chouliaras | PPC SA, e-Mobility Marketing Director
• Achilleios Karamitsos | Daikin Greece, DX Product Responsible
• Eugenios Vasilikos | President, Athens, Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association

Creating Synergies

15:00–15:30  Rocabella Mykonos | Renovation

• Eleftherios Ambatzis | Architect, Eleftherios Ambatzis Studio
• Roi Kalfopoulou | General Manager, Rocabella Mykonos Hotel

15:30–16:15  Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port | City

• Dimitris Travasaros | Architect, Divercity Architects
• Apostolos Michalovits | General Manager, Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port
• Spyros Naoumidis | Director, Mitsis Group – Pyramid Construction & Design

 

Sunday, November 23

Design and Business Planning

11:45–12:30  New Funding Opportunities for the Sustainable Development of Tourism Enterprises

• Kostas Vamvakas | Founder and CEO, VK PREMIUM

Creating Synergies

12:30–13:15  Athens Capital Suites | City

• Alexandros Masouridis | Architect, MTArchitects
• Magdalini Sgouridi | Architect, Mare Studio
• Marios Papaparisis | Lighting Designer, Light Plus
• Evripidis Tzikas | General Manager, Athens Capital Hotel & Athens Capital Suites

13:15–14:00  Anthology of Athens | City

• Ria Vogiatzis | Architect, Elastic Architects
• Kostas Efthymiou | Focal Project Managers, Project Manager
• Olga Karaververi | Fashion Designer
• Dimitris Kontogeorgos | MD Hospitality, CEO

Hotel Design Trends

14:00–14:45  Branding – Storytelling

• Manos Babounis | Interior Designer, Trail Practice
• Dimitris Koliadimas | Creative Director, Semiotik Design
• Panagiotis Voumvakis | Architectural Photographer

Creating Synergies

14:45–15:15  Homa Villas | Villas

• Iliana Kerestetzi | Architect, Mold Architects
• Takis Theofilopoulos | Owner, Homa Villas Serifos

15:15–16:00  Minos Palace | Resort & Renovation

• Afroditi Bonatsou | Interior Designer, Stones & Walls
• Vasiliki Mamidaki | BDO, Bluegr Hotels & Resorts
• Angelos Pagkalos | COO, Bluegr Hotels & Resorts

16:00–16:45  Alkyna Lifestyle Beach Resort | Resort

• Anna Koutsoukosta | Architect, AMK Architects
• Marina Filippidi | Interior Designer, AMK Architects
• Chloe Kazamia | Lighting Designer, CK Design Lighting
• Kostas Sideris | Owner, Álkyna Lifestyle Beach Resort

 

Monday, November 24

Design & Business Planning

11:45–12:30  Financial Tools & Tourism

• Manolis Koutelias | Director of Investments and Projects, Noisis

Creating Synergies

12:30–13:15  Hilton Chania Old Town | City

• Giorgos Kontaxakis | Architect, K-Arch
• Manolis Darakis | Project Manager, Hotelleading
• Carlos Malliaroudakis | COO, Hotelleading

Hotel Design Trends

13:15–14:00  Renovating Hotel Rooms: Ideas & Materials

• Michalis Kraounakis | Architect, K-Division
• Evangelia Tsiourva | Architect, R&D Department, Exalco
• Christina Moudara | Architect, Lighting Designer, HUB Lighting & Innovation by Kafkas

Creating Synergies

14:00–14:45  Pnoes Tinos Luxury Villas | Villas

• Aristides Dallas | Architect, Aristides Dallas Architects
• Charitina Trikka | Architect, Head of Interior Design, Aristides Dallas Architects
• Christos Papachristos | Lighting Designer, CPLD Lighting Design

14:45–15:30  Adama Boutique Hotel | Boutique Hotel

• Michalis Tzagkarakis | Structural Engineer, Tzagkarakis + Associates
• Carola Born | Interior Designer, Hidden Gem
• Giorgos Anagnostakis | Lighting Designer, IFI Lighting
• Leonidas Oikonomou | Roleplay, Founder & Creative Director

15:30–16:00  Amphitheatro Boutique Hotel | Renovation

• Ilias Theodorakis | Architect, Ateno Studio
• Giorgos Vasileiou | Owner, Amphitheatro Boutique Hotel

16:00–16:45  Serendi Villas | Villas

• Kostas Gagos | Interior Designer, Costas Gagos Architecture & Design
• Giannis Papacharalambous | Director, Bagno Y Bagno
• Fotini Iatrou | Lighting Designer, SKIA Lighting

• Kostas Amanitis | Amanitis Architects, Αρχιτέκτονας

 

The premier Greek tourism exhibition, Xenia 2024, will be held this year at the Metropolitan Expo from November 23 to 25. As part of the exhibition, ek magazine, with years of experience in architecture, construction, and design, will coordinate and curate live architectural presentations for the third consecutive year at “The Red Spot Stage.” The impressive architectural design of the stage has been entrusted to Rena Sakellaridou and her firm, RS Sparch.

The specially designed stage in Hall 2 will host prominent Greek architects, builders, lighting designers, and hoteliers who will present selected case studies of hotel projects -mainly in the sectors of resorts, boutique, and city hotels- highlighting challenges from the initial concept to final implementation.

The talks will be divided into the following sections:

Creating Synergies
Standalone case studies dedicated to a recently completed hotel project. Each panel will feature the architect of the project along with collaborating specialists -lighting, landscape, etc. -constructors and/or hotel owners/managers.

Design & Business Planning
Talks addressing key topics related to hotel planning and operations, as well as the strategy units should adopt to join investment programs (ESPA).

Hotel Design Trends
The latest trends and developments in design, material selection, and hotel operations.

 

Detailed Program of Talks:

Saturday, November 23

Design & Business Planning | 11:15 – 12:00 | ESPA
Speaker:

• Paraskevas Geronikolos, Director Investment Funding Services, DBC Diadikasia

Design & Business Planning | 12:00 -12:30

Serviced Villas: Secrets of the growing trend of a hybrid business model

Speaker:

• Jason Anastasinis, CEO & Founder of travelstaytion

Creating Synergies | 12:30 – 13:15
Intercontinental Crete 
Speakers:

• Stathis Tryfonopoulos, Architect, Diarchon Architects
• Grigoris Konstantopoulos, Architect, Inedito Architects
• Vasilis Vlasseros, CEO, Vitael

Hotel Design & Trends | 13:15 – 14:00
Renovating Historic Buildings in Europe: The Case of Monument Hotel 
Speaker:

• Memos Filippidis, Architect, mplusm

Creating Synergies | 14:00 – 14:45
Odera Tinos, Autograph Collection 
Speakers:

• Alexandros Triantafyllidis, Tconstructions, Co-owner, Developer Odera Tinos
• Panos Nikolaidis, Architect, pnd
• Vangelis Bonios, Interior Designer, Studio Bonarchi

Creating Synergies | 14:45 – 15:30
Semeli Coast Mykonos, Curio Collection by Hilton
Speakers:

• Pavlos Ninios, Architect, Pavlos Ninios Architects Planners & Engineers
• Giannis Frankogiannakis, Hotel Manager, Semeli Coast Mykonos, Curio Collection by Hilton
• Leonidas Athanasiou, Owner, Idolo Group

Creating Synergies | 15:30 – 16:15
The Met Suites
Speakers:

• Chrysokona Mavrou, Architect, Chrysokona Mavrou + Associates, Owner, The Met Suites
• Lena Flouri, GuestFirst Vacation Rentals Management
• Iakovos Foundidakis, Owner, Michail Foundidakis & Sons ABEE

Hotel Design & Trends | 16:15 – 17:00
The Fireplace of the Future
Speaker:

• Anna Bourma, Architect, Frangos Group

 

Sunday, November 24

Creating Synergies | 11:45 – 12:30
Ventale Island Breeze Resort
Speakers:

• Irini Apostolaki, Architect, Founder Archtify
• Michalis Vantarakis, Founder & CEO, Vantarakis Hotel Collection
• Stelios Farantakis, Project Manager, Tectum Engineering

Creating Synergies | 12:30 – 13:15
King Jason Zante, Louis Hotels
Speakers:

• Stavros Peppas, Architect, SP Architect & Partners
• Christina-Ioanna Lamprou, Creative Director, SP Architect & Partners
• Savvas Perdios, Representative, King Jason Zante, Louis Hotels

Creating Synergies | 13:15 – 14:00
Tella Thera
Speakers:

• Dr. Stella Pieri, Architect, Partner at Pieris Architects
• Loukas Tourkomanis, Founder & CEO, New Sage Ventures SA
• Antonia Skaraki, Founder & CEO, A|S Strategy, Branding & Communication

Creating Synergies | 14:00 – 14:45
Sandblu Resort Santorini
Speakers:

• Christina Panagiotou, Lead Architect, XKS Creative Director
• Charalambos Stathakopoulos, General Contractor, XKS CEO
• Daniel Frampton, Design Director, PROLIGHT
• Grigoris Kotopoulis, Technical Director, Egreen

Hotel Design & Trends | 14:45 – 15:30
The Role of Imagery and Professional Photography for Hotels
Speaker:

• George Fakaros, Photographer

Creating Synergies | 15:30 – 16:15
Domes Novos Santorini, Autograph Collection
Speakers:

• Kyros Pagkalidis, Architect, KCP Architects
• Olivia Siskou, Interior Designer, Olivia Siskou Interiors
• Michalis Petsaggourakis, Fytron Landscapes

Design & Business Planning | 16:15 – 17:00 | ESPA
Speaker:

• Kostas Vamvakas, CEO & Founder of VK PREMIUM Business Development Consultants
• Olympia Kagiafa, Area Account Manager at Epsilon Hospitality

 

Monday, November 25

Hotel Design & Trends | 11:45 – 12:30
Sustainability in the Hotel Industry
Speaker:

• Foivos-Spyridon Sypsas, Civil Engineer, Industrial Division Inspector at Bureau Veritas Hellas

Hotel Design & Trends | 12:30 – 13:15
Concept – Branding – Design – Construction
Speakers:

• Fotini Artikopoulou, Brand Strategist, INK Design
• Dimitris Chatzichristos, Owner, Gruppo Decorativo
• Theodoros Lakiotis, Co-Founder, Morphó

Creating Synergies | 13:15 – 14:00
Argini Hotel Syros
Speakers:

• Kostas Gagos, Interior Designer, Costas Gagos Architecture & Design
• Giorgos Polykretis, Technical Scientific Consultant, Argini Hotel Syros
• Giannis Polykretis, Founder and Builder, Argini Hotel Syros
• Maria Polykreti, Hotel Manager, Argini Hotel Syros

Creating Synergies | 14:00 – 14:45
Pearl Island Chios Hotel & Spa
Speakers:

• Stella Theodosopoulou, Architect, Ologramma Architects
• Markellos Kallimassias, Owner, Pearl Island Chios Hotel & Spa
• Evangelia Vasilaki, Project Engineer, Vavoulas Group

Creating Synergies | 14:45 – 15:30
Mykonos Flow
Speakers:

• Andreas Giovanos, Architect, gnb architects
• Aliki Varlamidi, Architect, Whitewall Athens
• Kostas Dededes, Civil Engineer and Co-Founder, ID Construction

Design & Business Planning | 15:30 – 16:15 | ESPA
Speaker:

• Konstantinos Pantelis, CEO, Anodos Consulting