AKARA | Karpathos
Akara stands as the premier destination in Karpathos, seamlessly blending the charm of an authentic Karpathian home with contemporary luxury. Situated to offer panoramic views of the main town, Pigadia, as well as the unexplored side of the island, the hotel immerses guests in local culture through modern-traditional touches that evoke a sense of heritage and comfort.
What we did for this project:
Typology study
Concept Development
Design & Operational Briefs
Branding & Implementation
Location
Karpathos
Year of Operation
To be announced
Official Website
Your Karpathian home, reimagined.
Akâra promises a stay that doesn’t just reflect the destination—it feels like it. It offers every guest the soul of Karpathos, wrapped in authenticity, care, and a deep sense of place. Guests leave not only rested, but emotionally enriched, carrying with them memories of local tastes, stories, and encounters that form a personal connection to the island.
Hotel Typology
The first stage of our Services, which includes the Research & the Typology Study, helped the Hotel Owners take their final decisions regarding the hotel's Typology (type of property, room types, grounds, etc) and its main Features and Facilities, aiming to increase the hotel's ADR as well as its sales potentials from its various departments and services.
Hotel Experiences
During the Hotel Concept Development process, we specified the main idea and the narrative of the new hotel, which will allow it to stand out from the competition. At the same time, we specified all the new hotel's experiences, services, and operation model, in order to help the architectural and design teams to capture all the requirements for its final design.
Hotel Branding & Implementation
In order to have a fuller image of the Concept, we have created an initial branding for the new hotel that captures its feel and essence, and which must be taken into account during the design process. At the same time, we presented a series of indicative applications and implementations of the branding, in order to convey in a more tangible way the feeling that will be exuded during the hotel's visual communication.
Name Description
The name Akâra derives from a combination of concepts that express the tradition, cultural identity, and geographical relevance of the area. The main reason for choosing this name is that the entire view from the hill where the hotel is located is known to the local community by this name.
At the same time, the name is connected to the local church of Agia Kara, which was formerly situated on a hill near the hotel. Its feast — the Ascension — also marks the beginning of summer, giving Akâra a spiritual and seasonal dimension, linking the hospitality experience to the start of a new, radiant season.
Moreover, Akâra draws inspiration from the word “kanakará” — a unique term from Karpathos that describes the beloved daughter of the household, the person raised with care, affection, and special significance. This symbolism is directly reflected in the guest experience, where visitors are treated not merely as customers, but as honored guests, surrounded by care and embraced as part of the “family” of the place.
Logo Description
The Akâra logo expresses the brand’s identity with clarity and a cultural background. It combines three main visual elements: a geometric pattern, a windmill symbol, and a typographic wordmark with a clean presence.
The upper pattern is inspired by Karpathian textiles and ceramics, organized in a triangular layout reminiscent of a roof. It conveys traditional craftsmanship, the structure of the home, and the symmetrical order of local architecture. The use of an abstract windmill — a characteristic element of the island as well as of the property itself — serves as a symbol of energy, simplicity, and cultural continuity. Its rotating blades enhance the sense of flow and connect the natural landscape with the brand’s identity.
The typographic part of the logo is simple and balanced, with gentle curves that echo the architectural calm of the hotel. The letter “â” at the center of the word functions as a distinctive identity element, adding the character of a roof and serving as an aesthetic reminder of the curve that reappears in the interior design of the spaces.
Hotel Design
For the completion of the project, Destsetters collaborates with esteemed Architectural and Design teams, in the context of the thorough application of the concept to the overall experience, the correct specification of the anticipated operational needs, and the new hotel's commercial potentials. The Architectural & Design teams are selected by the investors/project owners and play an active part in the overall decisions regarding the development of the new property.
List of Partners
To be announced