Mitsis Hotels

Have you ever met someone by chance, who ended up becoming a strong, long-term partner? Whether personally or professionally, I suspect you can think of that person with whom your relationship is so well-aligned, you help each other grow. Stavros Mitsis is one of those people for our team at WATG.

Many clients come to us because they’re seeking growth too. With these clients, we consider customers and markets at a deeper level. We work together to create design innovations, often taking something old and outdated and helping our clients visualize its powerful potential to be reborn as a space that invigorates people, improves sustainability and operations, as well as boosting revenue.

At Mitsis Rinela Beach Resort & Spa in Crete, working closely with our strategy team, we were able to assist with the introduction of two new room types – suites and villas – appealing to a broader cross-section of customers, encouraging repeat visitation and ultimately maximizing revenue.

And the opportunities for renewal didn’t stop at the guest rooms we considered how to expand and enhance amenities for families with children, and travelers seeking an active holiday, through more diverse recreational amenities with multi-generational appeal. Transforming the original, underutilized facilities to accommodate a broader range of activities such as bocce, basketball, and five-a-side and a kids club.

Success is not automatic but is very possible with strategic planning and smart design that leverages the natural surroundings and local context.

Focusing on new opportunities for recreation, food and beverage within these outdoor spaces, our renovation removed the obstructions and opened a complete side-to-side panorama of the sea. We provided more intimate spaces for guests by creating five smaller pools rather than one large one, and we used the landscape to create a journey to the beach.

Mitsis Hotels has enjoyed similar room rate and revenue increases at Summer Palace Beach Hotel in Kos with the implementation of WATG renovation design. Situated on a stunning elevated promontory overlooking the sea the resort wasn’t taking full advantage of the view. We created terraces pools and removed an obstructive elevator core and heavy balustrade, opening up a panoramic view and animated the outdoor space by reimagining a Mediterranean restaurant that has now become the new hub of the hotel.

Other addition renovation strategies have included:
A rooftop sunset bar and a family-oriented restaurant experience that features sand underfoot and barbecue tables to maximize the Mediterranean experience.

Pushing the kitchen and service area under the pool, we were able to increase the number of sun lounges above for guest relaxation, and the space below for client revenue generation – ensuring that each level’s visual connections between land and water were not interrupted.

Individual guest rooms now feature a sophisticated and relaxed materiality indoors, along with plunge pools – contributing to a sense of luxury and privacy.

Fragrant indigenous landscape heightens the experience and brings a soft balance to the hotel’s edgy modern architecture that frames the views.

When our studios work together, our process helps clients not only plan season-by-season but for decades with the addition of sustainability in mind.

Our integrated services provide comprehensive revitalization and sustainable strategies as well as the tactical process of implementing it through architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design and making this achievable in off season time frames.

Sustainable benefits:

• 28% decrease in energy consumption
• Certified sustainable materials for low emissions
• Green roofs in all renovated villas and building
• Exterior wall insulation
• Installation of heat pumps
• Sun gains and shading strategies

Like renovations, long-lasting professional relationships carry benefits and opportunities too. Having worked with Mitsis Hotels for five years (and counting), we’ve forged a strong relationship. We have such deep understanding of our client and their values and collective goals.

We are a trusted advisor, and an integral part of the team.