The first ever Mandarin Oriental five-star hotel in Greece, located in the majestic Costa Navarino in the Peloponnese and known for its luxury, just celebrated its very first anniversary.
With its innovative architecture and bioclimatic luxury, the Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino stands out for its modern design, intertwining with the rich natural surroundings of the Peloponnesian land that flows into the clear blue sea.
The resort, which overlooks Navarino Bay, is spread out over 1,400 acres of land and features 99 rooms, including 48 cave villas with pool, five restaurants and bars, an impressive spa, and a 25-meter pool that “flows” from the inside out (see below).
As seen from the sea or up above, the five-tiered resort with its cavernous suites and villas seemingly buried underground gives the impression that nature is the actual architect here, and the designer simply followed its lead.
The main feature of this architectural beauty is the seamless transition from indoor to outdoor space. Guests connect with nature while at the same time enjoying the luxurious amenities of Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino.
The cascading design of the five-level cave villas and suites ensures unobstructed and panoramic views of Navarino Bay, while the hotel’s hillside location connects it to nature.
The architectural concept draws inspiration from the local agricultural tradition and corrals where the animals were kept. These enclosures, made of locally sourced stone, follow the natural topography. There is a feeling that the resort has grown organically in its location, incorporating or excluding obstacles such as trees or large boulders.
The design incorporates bioclimatic architecture, and the planted roofs become one with the landscape. Seen from above, the resort is easy to miss. The use of local materials dominate, while the stone walls within are treated with a natural plaster. The concrete is left exposed, though it is polished to show off the purity of the slab construction.
The thin windows with a special aluminum frame ensure an unobstructed view of the sea. Olives, cypresses, lavender, and thyme surround the villas and suites, softening the construction materials.
The story of the Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group was established in Hong Kong in 1974, when the Mandarin and the Oriental hotels merged. From the very beginning, the brand successfully combined traditional Asian hospitality with modern cosmopolitanism.
Today, the Mandarin Oriental Group has 38 hotels, with 25 of them holding the much-coveted 5-star rating of Forbes.
Despite its origins, Mandarin Oriental has always managed to respectfully and inventively incorporate the local culture of every international location. There is a signature fan for each hotel, inspired by the local history and cultural heritage. The fans are designed by local creators themselves.
At the Mandarin Oriental, Paris, the fan was designed by the historic haute couture workshop Maison Lesage, which makes clothes for Chanel. In Dubai, the local resort’s signature fan was created by the famous designer Aljoud Lootah.
For the hotel in Guangzhou, the great Chinese fashion designer Vivienne Tam took on the task of designing the resort’s fan, while for the Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, Dimitris Papaioannou, perhaps the most versatile and universally known contemporary Greek artist, designed the fan, which was inspired by ancient Mycenaean motifs and the colors of the Messenian land.
Mandarin Oriental’s strategy is to contribute to local communities and protect the environment. One of their goals is for all their hotels to be plastic-free. Another crucial goal is responsible sourcing for key categories of seafood, coffee, tea, vanilla, cocoa, and free-range eggs.
Following the principles of bioclimatic architecture, the emblematic resort in Costa Navarino implemented design proposals to maximize energy efficiency and respect the landscape.
A new Mandarin Oriental in Greece in 2027
The Mandarin Oriental Group has signed a deal with Lamda Development and TEMES for the construction of a new hotel on the Athens Riviera’s coastal front of The Ellinikon Metropolitan Park.
BELT Riviera S.A., a company established by TEMES S.A. and HELLINIKON S.Μ.S.A., has signed an agreement for the management of Mandarin Oriental, Athens, a new hotel and a community of luxury branded residences, which will be developed on the coastal front of The Ellinikon, set to open in the summer of 2027.
According to current plans, the investment includes a 5-star hotel with 123 rooms and suites, along with 17 luxury branded residences, offering breathtaking views of the Saronic Gulf and direct access to the sea.
