The inauguration of NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery took place on Monday, June 27th 2022 in Agios Nikolaos, Crete.
The commemorative ribbon cutting celebration of Accor's second property in Greece, was attended by Mrs. Maud Bailly, CEO of Accor Southern Europe, Mr. Xavier Grange, Senior Vice President, Head of Development Accor Southern Europe, Mr. Paul Gomopoulos, Senior Managing Director of Hines Greece and Mr. Giannis and Mrs. Tina Daskalantonakis of Y&T Daskalantonakis Knossian Group.
The newly renovated NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery came to fruition through a partnership between Accor, Hines, Greece, Henderson Park and the Y&T Daskalantonakis Knossian Group.
Distinguished guests and selected figures from the business and tourism sectors, including among others, Mr. Giannis Plakiotakis, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Mr. Michael Topham, Hines Europe, Founder, Senior Advisor - Development, Mr. Jérôme Lassara, Vice President of Development Accor South Europe and Mr. Antonis Zervos, Mayor of Agios Nikolaos, were in attendance and expressed the importance of the hotel, marking its opening as the opening of a new landmark in Agios Nikolaos. NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery is the second MGallery hotel in Greece, and the first to open its doors on a Greek island. As a result, the adults-only destination represents the new era for Cretan hospitality, as the country’s location makes it an increasingly recognised strategic site for global interest and investments.
Mrs. Maud Bailly, CEO of Accor Southern Europe, commented: “In the past two years Accor has doubled its presence in Greece. By 2025 we plan to double our footprint in the country in a respectful way. I am convinced that the hospitality of tomorrow will be sustainable or won’t be.
For Greece, embodying sustainability means less mass tourism, more lifestyle, premium and luxury properties, being rooted in actions and committed to Environmental Social Governance (ESG) standards. All of us here share a passion for hospitality, a passion for Greece.
The richness and diversity of the Greek islands is a massive playground for Accor. Wellness, disconnecting, detox, being in harmony with nature are important and especially after COVID, it is something clients are looking for.”
Mr. Paul Gomopoulos, Senior Managing Director of Hines Greece, stated: “For us at Hines Greece it has been quite a journey and there is something very special about hospitality.
We now own seven hotels in Greece but NIKO Seaside Resort is special for us as it is located at the origin of Greek tourism, where it all began a few decades ago, in Agios Nikolaos. We had the opportunity to take a very central, historically important hotel and give it a new life. T
his is, of course, very much linked with MGallery and we thank Accor for trusting us with the brand.”
Mr. Xavier Grange, Senior Vice President, Head of Development Accor Southern Europe said: “We currently have 1.400 rooms in Greece and our target is to double this number in the next three years.
Our philosophy is based on three pillars. The first is luxury: we want to develop more luxury hotels and premium, lifestyle hotels.
Second, we want to be more local and work with people who know the markets better than us. Lastly, we are basing this on franchise contracts with local operators.
We have great brands that we wish to develop in this beautiful country and I think Greece will be an amazing region for us to develop our new all-inclusive platform.”
Mr. Giannis Daskalantonakis of Y&T Daskalantonakis Knossian Group, said: “Luxury is MGallery, luxury is Accor, luxury is NIKO Seaside Resort. Investing in our resort was a bold decision on the part of Hines Greece and Mr. Gomopoulos as NIKO Seaside Resort is the first resort hotel in the company’s portfolio globally. Hines was successful in delivering the project on time, within budget and according to MGallery’s chief architect.
The hotel is already loved by guests, showcasing a 90% occupancy rate which is unheard of for a hotel so recently launched.
Knossian manages ten hotels with a tradition in the management of branded properties, which we will keep doing so long as we enjoy the support of key brands.”
About NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery
NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery, in Crete’s Agios Nikolaos region, is the second MGallery destination in Greece and the first to open on a Greek island.
In keeping with the MGallery philosophy, the coastal adults-only resort ensures a high-end hospitality experience with an artful element present throughout.
With a seamless blend of architecture, stunning décor, gastronomy and art, NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery stands as gateway to discover the riches of Crete.
With an impressive selection of 141 rooms and suites, most with their own private plunge pools on their balconies, four food and beverage venues - Mira Restaurant, Ariagne Bar Restaurant, Théa Pool Bar and Éther Pool Bar - and dazzling views of Mirabello Bay, NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery is the ultimate Cretan destination for travellers in the know.
Rooted in the island’s stellar tradition and unique character, NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery redefines the concept of warm hospitality on the charming island of Crete.
About Hines
Hines is one of the largest and most respected real estate organisations worldwide.
The privately owned global real estate investment, development and management firm was founded in 1957 and enjoys a presence is 285 cities worldwide, spanning 28 countries.
The firm provides third-party property-level services to a portfolio of 669 properties, thanks to its extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum for a variety of property types.
Hines’ location in Athens was established in 2014. In Greece, Hines is pursuing opportunities for both development and acquisitions with its teams exploring all sectors, including hospitality, on behalf of the Hines firm and other capital sources.
About Henderson Park
Henderson Park, is a pan-European private equity real estate manager based in London, holding a portfolio of iconic real estate assets across Europe.
Identifying the property’s potential to create added value in the region, the firm acquired NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery in partnership with Hines Greece in 2020.
The addition of NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery to the already impressive portfolio of Henderson Park will undoubtedly create long-term strategic relationships with local partners, such as Hines Greece, and strengthen the firm’s presence in key European gateways and cities of great touristic interest.
About Knossian
Knossian are active as owners and operators of branded franchised hotels and resorts with a focus on upscale luxury hotels located in Greece and South-east Europe. The group currently owns and/or operates 11 hotels in Sofia and Belgrade, Athens and Crete. Since 2017, Knossian has begun a successful partnership with Hines which continues to this day. This partnership saw the brand new NIKO Seaside Resort - MGallery operate under a franchise agreement with Accor as an MGallery destination, following a complete refurbishment.
About MGallery Hotel Collection
The MGallery Hotel Collection brand thoughtfully selects and curates unique properties around the world, forming a storied collection of boutique hotels with true soul where captivating stories are lived and shared.
With more than 100 properties, each MGallery tells a unique story inspired by its own remarkable past or the destination it calls home.
From bespoke design and sensorial mixology to well-being dedicated to everyday self-care, MGallery hotels are places where guests can enjoy an exquisite travel experience.
MGallery Hotel Collection guests live a distinctive story through their delightful visits to these stylish, thoughtful and decidedly singular hotels.
Well-known properties in the MGallery Hotel Collection include Hotel Molitor Paris, INK Hotel Amsterdam, Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro, Hotel Lindrum Melbourne in Australia, Muse Bangkok Langsuan in Thailand, and Hotel des Arts Saigon in Vietnam.
MGallery Hotel Collection is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,300 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.
The group has one of the industry’s most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale and economy hotel brands, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor’s unmatched position in lifestyle hospitality – one of the fastest growing categories in the industry – is led by Ennismore, a joint venture, which Accor holds a majority shareholding.
Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Accor boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and more than 230,000 team members worldwide.
Members benefit from the company’s comprehensive loyalty program – ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a daily lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
Through its Planet 21 – Acting Here, Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the Group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity.
Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States.
For more information visit group.accor.com, or follow Accor on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
For further information please contact Travelworks (Kostas Panagakis E. panagakis@travelworks.gr,
T. +30 697 5871624 or Katerina Fotopoulou E. fotopoulou@travelworks.gr, T. +30 6945 19 8062)
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