Nestled in the Greek island’s forest-like landscape, gazing towards the boundless beaches of the northeastern Aegean Sea, is Casa Cook Samos.
This 128-room adults-only (+16) retreat, welcoming its first guests in May 2022, offers the Casa Cook trademark of laid-back luxury in one of the Mediterranean's most historically-rich surroundings. The mythical birthplace of the Greek goddess Hera, Samos is for lovers of legends and that off-the-beaten-track kind of beauty.
Home to a wealth of lush greenery, breathtaking turquoise waters, infamous sweet Muscat wine, and some of the world’s most influential academics — not to mention goddesses — locals of Samos say the island is blessed. Once you set foot on the island, it’s hard to disagree.
“We are so humbled to announce our first collaboration with Casa Cook,” remarks George Chatzidimitriou, CEO of Velos Tourism SA, the hotel’s owning company.
“The fusion of the celebrated Casa Cook concept with this second-to-none island will provide a new type of luxury escape for those seeking truly unique experiences,” he continues.
LAID-BACK LUXE MEETS ISLAND VILLAGE
Inspired by traditional Greek houses, or Kamares, found in Samian villages, the architecture, pioneered by Athens-based design firm, Block722, is down-to-earth and inclusive.
With a nod to the island’s charming local towns, the historic concept of a Grecian village has been embodied in the modern space, where the hotel’s infinite swimming pools act as the town center of each small ‘neighborhood’ within the hotel — offering space to immerse with those around you when the mood strikes, or retreat back to your room to recharge in complete solitude. Throughout the space, there is a clear emphasis on the fluidness of indoor and outdoor, with inside areas merging seamlessly into shaded outside spaces.
“The distinct, nonpareil design of Casa Cook Samos advocates privacy and solitude while continuing to foster friendships and interactions — manifesting the true Casa Cook philosophy,” Alessandro Dassi, Vice President of Fosun Tourism Group, the new owning company of the Casa Cook brand, comments.
The earthy textures and colors that make up the space are inspired by the local land and its organic elements: the abundant greenery echoes the island’s fertile vegetation with palms, pines, agave, and wild olive trees; while the endless pools of water throughout mimic the landscape’s countless waterfalls, rivers and shores. Natural, unrefined tones from local leather, wood, and stone melt into more contemporary elements like smooth terrazzo to create a modern-luxe space that is still an ode to the land’s roots.
Inspired by paréa – a Greek word roughly translated as a wholesome get-together with friends – the shaded Kitchen Club restaurant opens onto breathtaking panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and is where guests can gather with new friends and old to spend long, drawn-out afternoons sampling the Mediterranean-inspired menu and sipping freshly made cocktails. Between meals and socializing, guests have the opportunity to deepen their relaxation in the breezy, outdoor yoga shala; indulge in a spa treatment in the wellness center, or perhaps take a dip in one of the hotel’s six swimming pools.
CENTURY-OLD BEAUTY AT EVERY TURN
Set just off the breathtaking Turkish coast, Samos is an island rich in both history and beauty. Beyond its bustling beaches and lively capital, there are countless off-the-beaten-track gems, including quaint churches, fresh waterfalls, and lush greenery in the shaded inland mountains.
The mythical birthplace of the Greek goddess Hera, Samos is a place for lovers of legends, with old cobblestone alleys, ancient ruins, and archaeological sites just begging to be explored.
About Casa Cook
Casa Cook is an eclectic collection of lifestyle hotels that caters to the growing generation of independent travelers. Each hotel has its own distinct personality: architecture, interior design, and individual offerings vary by location and hotel, yet common to all is a low-key atmosphere and contemporary aesthetics.
The brand was launched with Casa Cook Rhodes, Greece, in May 2016, and was acquired in December 2019 by the Fosun Tourism Group, a leading leisure-focused integrated tourism group listed in Hong Kong.
Under the new ownership, Casa Cook hotels opened in El Gouna and North Coast Egypt in 2019 and 2021 respectively, continues to strengthen its offering and accelerate its expansion from Europe to Asia.
- Photographer: Ana Santl
- Hotel: Casa Cook Samos
- Art Direction: Vision Alphabet
- Interior Stylist: Prisczilla Varga
- Architects: Block722
