We sat down with sisters Danae and Konstantina Orfanake, Co-founders of Omicron Hotels to learn about their hotel journey
A family business with wellness at the heart.
From the world’s best hotel designers, such as Bill Bensley and Tara Bernerd to Founders of independent hotels like Christine Cunanan, we’re constantly fascinated by the wonderful world of hospitality. Recently, we had the chance to sit down with the Co-founders of Greek brand Omicron Hotels, who also happen to be siblings. Read on to find out more about how these two ladies created one of the most talked about hotels in the world and what’s coming next.
Interview with Omicron Hotels Co-founders Danae and Konstantina Orfanake
Hi, ladies. Thanks so much for chatting with us. To start, tell us a little about your backgrounds and how you got into the world of hospitality?
Konstantina: We both grew up in Crete and we spent much of our childhood in a small hotel in Hersonissos which belongs to our family, so we were exposed to the hospitality industry early on in our lives which eventually became one of our passions.
Danae: I have a degree in Economics and Hospitality Management. I studied in Spain and spent one year working in Miami for an established hospitality brand before moving back to Crete to work with my sister and my family on the ACRO Suites project and rebranding of Seaside, A Lifestyle Resort.
Konstantina: My sister and I have a very special relationship which is why us working together came so naturally. I have a master’s degree in Hospitality Management and a diploma in Interior Design from Instituto Marangoni. I also spent one year working in San Diego for The Keating Hotel Group.
How is Omicron Hotels different from other hospitality groups? And how has growing up in Crete influenced your business?
Danae: Our vision as a family-owned hotel group is to welcome guests with warmth and attentiveness, and to create the ultimate hospitality experience that comes straight from the heart. Each one of our hotels retains its own distinctive personality, but the high service standards are a constant across our entire portfolio and it’s one of our core family values.
Growing up within the hospitality industry and working with our family allowed us to have a comprehensive understanding of all facets of the business. We put a lot of effort and passion in the projects development and growing up in Crete allowed us to appreciate our local culture, values, and natural surroundings. For instance, we collaborate with local designers and craftspeople across all our projects, where possible, as they were familiar with the local landscape, and they could clearly see our vision.
What’s different about a family-run business? And how do these differences help improve guest experiences?
Konstantina: Working as part of a family business is not always easy, but we all work towards the same goal and vision, which is to deliver world-class hospitality to our guests. The advantages of a family-run business are that we can always be involved in the development of a project from start to finish and make executive decisions to ensure the project is on track and our vision comes to life.
One of the first properties you launched was the extremely successful ACRO Suites in Crete. What was your vision for the project?
Danae: Our vision was to bring together locally sourced materials along with renowned Cretan hospitality to create a new project, entirely dedicated to wellness. This came to life with the launch of ACRO Suites, developed as an eco-friendly destination to encourage the preservation of the local culture, values, and natural Cretan landscapes.
Tell us about the design process for the hotel. How did you incorporate the property’s location into the spaces? And did you work with an interior designer?
Danae: The property pays homage to its surrounding nature through the considered use of materials and textures. We sought out the best local Greek designers and craftsmen to collaborate with across the property for an authentic Cretan feel. The rough marble details, natural stones, and unrefined wood complement the look and feel of the hotel.
The elegant design sensibility is proof that design is fundamental to well-being and that the right luxury resorts can help to transform the location that they’re in for the better. Sustainability plays a large role in the hotel’s ethos, with natural materials sourced from Crete such as stones and wood. Sheets and fabrics are all made from organic materials. Food is sourced locally from small farms on the island, all from an organic kitchen with plentiful vegan and vegetarian menu options available. Every suite and villa in the hotel are accompanied by saltwater private pools with breath-taking Cretan Sea views allowing guests to enjoy ultimate privacy in blissful surroundings.
Each of the 49 suites and villas are based on a palette of soft hues and natural earthy tones. The rooms all feature unique design details and sweeping views of the Cretan Sea. Early risers can enjoy the warm morning light filling the room through the panoramic windows. With a focus on quality, the rooms have been furnished with natural materials including wood, stone, glass, raw silk bed covers, and marble from Ancient Festos. The hotel worked with local artisans to create custom-made marble furniture with wooden accents for each of the suites and villas which provide an oasis of calm for guests to unwind and relax in, whilst taking in the magnificent views.
We worked with Utopia Design on the design of The Bath House based on the shape of a traditional hammam. ACRO Suites is a lifestyle destination, and it was important that the communal areas inspire the guests of the resort. Themes of serenity, simplicity, and tranquillity run throughout the property, including across the Cremnos restaurant and cocktail bar, The Circle, which was designed by Manos Kipritidis. Drawing from the local design and surroundings, the food and beverage offerings feature copper and wooden finishings, earthy tones, custom-made marble dining tables, and natural fabrics. The design is pure and minimalist but with attention to details.
ACRO Suites is billed as a ‘Wellness Resort’. What does this mean to you and how is this reflected throughout?
Konstantina: Nestled on the rocky cliffside of Mononaftis Bay, ACRO Suites is an extraordinary eco-friendly haven and inspiring sanctuary dedicated to wellness, welcoming guests to unwind, practice self-love and rejuvenate with mother nature.
From suites nestled into the cliffside, furnished with natural and bohemian elements, to contemporary villas with private infinity pools, and breathtaking views of the Aegean, ACRO Suites is the perfect hideaway to reconnect to oneself.
Located at the heart of the property and inspired by the authentic concept of a hammam, The Bath House is a sanctuary for those seeking true rejuvenation. Consisting of a Byzantine Hammam, a Finnish sauna, two treatment rooms, and both indoor and outdoor pools (including a plunge pool), the tranquil atmosphere is guaranteed to recharge all who visit. From tension-melting massages to radiance-boosting facials, the spa’s extensive menu offers a plethora of holistic experiences to choose from.
Danae: The Asana Yoga Shala (a Sanskrit word meaning “home”) is another magnificent piece of architecture dedicated to wellness which hosts daily yoga and meditation classes.
You’ve also launched Seaside, A Lifestyle Resort in Agia Pelagia, Crete. What can guests expect here?
Konstantina: Our family launched Seaside. We then rebranded the resort to Seaside, A Lifestyle Resort following further renovations as we wanted to ensure Seaside is more aligned with our wider vision.
Seaside, A Lifestyle Resort, boasts serene panoramic views of the Aegean Sea which will be sure to stir your senses with every turn. Only a short stroll away from a beautiful sandy beach, this lifestyle resort is perfect for an adults-only summer getaway.
Danae: It has 245 rooms and suites, some with private pools, which offer all the tranquility and comfort guests could ask for. Each room is elegantly decorated and draws on the island’s natural palette of whites, terracotta, and neutral tones with a boho-chic design. All rooms and suites have contemporary amenities with a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere in each space.
There are a plethora of dining options to experience during your stay at Seaside, with various gourmet dishes and exotic recipes to choose from. The main restaurant Veranda offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with spectacular views overlooking the bay. The Minoan Cretan tavern introduces guests to natural and local ingredients, while Kullinarium offers dinner in a romantic candlelit setting. This season, Seaside will unveil a new bar with a sleek design for those looking to enjoy a drink in a cosy setting.
Konstantina: There are also four bars situated in the premises so you can order a refreshing cocktail before selecting a prime spot next to the newly renovated Pelagos outdoor saltwater pool.
For wellness lovers, the Sea Cave Spa offers a heated indoor pool, massage rooms, a steam room and even an ice fountain all within a unique setting. The retreat has an extensive list of treatments including facials, nail, and hair services so guests can look and feel their best self while making the most of their Cretan holiday.
Those looking to stay active will be pleased to know that the property features a fully equipped fitness centre that will feature brand-new Technogym equipment this season. Guests also have access to the hotel’s Asana Yoga Shala, a space dedicated to wellness which offers TRX and aerial yoga classes with an experienced teacher.
What’s next for Omicron Hotels?
Danae: We are currently working on a brand-new hotel concept. With this project, we will be looking at how we can integrate even more elements of sustainability and we look forward to sharing more details about this soon.
Tell us about some of your favourite hotels from your travels and why you enjoyed them?
Danae: We’ve traveled all over the world, but some of our favourite hotels are Nômade and Azulik Resort, both located in Tulum, Mexico, mainly for their wellness approach and their philosophy focused on going back to roots.
Konstantina: When it comes to architectural design, we recently visited Casona Sforza in Puerto Escondido, Mexico that was inspiring. Next on our bucket list, we would like to visit Amangiri in Utah.
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