The new hotel complex “Olivar Suites” is formed amidst the background of a centuries old olive grove and a unique coastline in the area of Mesoggi, in the municipality of Corfu Island. It has a capacity of 120 suites and communal buildings -reception area, restaurant, spa, bar and store- totaling an area of 7.350 sqm, stretching over a 26.500 sqm. land of gentle slope, rich vegetation and immediate access to the sea. “Olivar Suites” aspire to forge a hospitality experience within a distinctive natural scenery, offering high comfort and discreet luxury.
The site is arranged in two design regions - that of the olive grove and that of the coastline.
Within the olive grove zone, each olive tree is set as a reference point. A ‘village’ of autonomous suites with private yard and pool is arranged within the olive grove in such way that at least one olive tree is assigned to each suite yard. A system of parallel stonewalls up to 2.70m high, functions as the main design tool to organize the suites around the olive trees offering privacy and direct access. With a total of 10 different room typologies, the flexible design allows the buildings system to adjust to the organic grid of the olive grove and to avoid standardization. Instead of a solid block design which in planning terms could have been supported, the approach of small-scale autonomous units was recognized as the optimal solution as a system that would interact discreetly with the olive grove. The clean, minimal volumes of the rooms and the reception building emerge among the olive trees and coexist with stonewalls, pathways, private and communal pools, yards and plateaus.
On the way towards the zone of the beach front the field of view broadens unto the sea. The restaurant, the old olive mill -now store and refreshment area- as well as the suites, are placed within that zone, and designed having as point of reference the sea and its unobstructed view.
The modernist architectural language interacts with elements of the local morphology -solid forms and defined volumes. Wooden pergolas and lush vegetation offer shading to the exterior spaces of the buildings. The material colors are earthy. A simple, clean palette consisting of stonework, exposed concrete, natural coatings, wood and metals is maintained throughout in order to further integrate the intervention within the natural landscape.
Adhering entirely to the timetable, the design development and the technical design were completed within 8 months, as had been initially set, and the construction phase lasted for 1 year and 6 months with “Ergonomia S.A.” being the main contractor. The budget concluded at 17.000.000€, as was initially calculated. The technical design, flexible and modern, was catalytic to the qualitative completion of the project within schedule and budget. The visit of the first guest took place on the 31st of June 2021.
The public response towards Olivar Suites has corresponded to the initial goal that was set. After just two months of operation and under the special conditions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as a high average daily rate (ADR), occupancy has been over 80% and profitability has already been achieved. The fact that bookings were concluded via use of rendering images only, during the promotional campaign, proves the sincerity and remarkable quality of the design. Moreover, the numerous photograph reposts of visitors’ personal experience through social media (Social Customer Interaction) constitutes an indicator of extensive approval and excitement of the unique experience.
The hotel complex “Olivar Suites” was formed through the design concept of a hospitality space, minimal while of high caliber, interacting with the natural richness of the Olive Grove and the sea -a place where the visitor can feel unique as each olive tree that has been respectfully preserved.
