interior design laboratorium renovates scenic suites in santorini getaway

among the array of hotels, and accommodation which share the pristine views of the aegean sea; the popular honeymoon and getaway destination of santorini recently opened the newly renovated porto fira suites hotel. located in the neighborhood of kato fira, the getaway aims to epitomize relaxation and the building itself is built onto the caldera.

all images © giorgos sfakianakis / k.yellow

a total of 13 suites give the visitor the experience of staying in a building that harmonizes, respects the environment and the stories of the island. completed by interior design laboratorium, the renovation of porto fira suites hotel is manifested by the designers’ desire to reflect the silent and mysterious energy coming from the island itself. drawing from the oldest building on the hotel complex –a parish of the nearby church of st. john the theologian– the design adopts rules of ecclesiastical and monastic architecture of the aegean islands.

the simplistic but robust material palette is seen throughout the sequence of rooms. the arched doorways and ceilings refer to both passages and forms of monastic spaces as well as to the traditional architecture of the island. ‘our aim was to harmoniously combine the simplicity of spaces with the gravity of materials such as wood and metal, which have undergone special aging treatments,’ comments stamos hondrodimos, head of interior design laboratorium. the result is a sense of purity and simplicity that instills the calmness of a monastic daily routine.

the perforated black doors in the wardrobes – made from viennese straw and sandblasted oak

the majority of furniture, frames and decorative elements have been custom designed to ensure a perfectly balanced result that will serve the purpose. the perforated black doors in the wardrobes – made from viennese straw and sandblasted oak – refer to the confessions of the monasteries as well as the stone byzantine floors found in all the suites. hand-made lighting designed by a black rope, are reminiscent of the knitting of the strands. the renovation is finished with the overflowing pool, designed in such a way as to create the feeling of being poured into the aegean sea. guests can step out from their room and straight into water, its color, the same as that of the deep caldera sea, gives a strong sense of scenography that mirrors the blackness of the volcano in sight.

areas for lounging right beside the indoor pool and also the balcony