Hidden Alleys
The Hidden Alleys is a brand new accommodation concept in the broader region of Chania in Crete, that introduces a hybrid property type which combines independent stay with high-end hotel facilities and services.
What we did for this project:
Typology study
Concept Development
Design & Operational Briefs
Branding & Implementation
Location
Kamara/Kolymvari, Crete
Year of Operation
2021
Official Website
Hotel Synopsis
The below text is a full description of the under development property, giving all the details regarding the hotel's story, concept, operation, and experiences, that will provide to its guests.
The Hidden Alleys is a brand new accommodation concept in the broader region of Chania in Crete, that introduces a hybrid property type which combines independent
stay with high-end hotel facilities and services. The overall philosophy balances between total privacy & serenity within Cretan nature and upgraded hotel experiences that give the option to the guests to shape their holiday itinerary just like they wish to.
Guests at the Hidden Alleys can choose to stay either at a Private Villa with Pool, Garden and BBQ, or at a Cosy Cretan Home with private terrace. All accommodation
types feature fully equipped kitchens, Smart TVs and Bluetooth speakers, as well as other facilities like workspaces, dining areas etc, that guarantee total independence
and privacy for the staying guests, as well as absolute comfort for long-stay vacations in Crete. The two- or three-bedroom Villas can accommodate families, friends, or
larger groups of people traveling together, while the one- and two-bedroom Homes are ideal for Couples or smaller families with 1 child.
An integral part of The Hidden Alleys experience, is the feeling of complete privacy and serenity, as well as the constant communication with the local nature, that its
ideal location ensures. Covering the slope’s highest point, a virgin and unspoilt piece of Cretan land lies within The Hidden Alleys’ premises, brining nature just a few
meters from the guests’ doorsteps! In addition to the gorge that passes right behind the hotel, this unspoilt piece of land gives many options for hiking, trekking, bird
watching, or even outdoor yoga, meditation, and private training. The Hotel Concierge has specified a series of outdoor activities and experiences, however the
Guests are always free to become their own Cretan Explorers! Respecting its privileged location, The Hidden Alleys give also great emphasis on providing a hotel experience
that fully respects the island’s natural resources and environment. Adding to its sustainable mentality, the hotel makes use of all forms of renewable energy, while
supporting the local community and residents in any way possible.
Maintaining a high-end hotel character, The Hidden Alleys feature a series of common-use facilities, that can upgrade the staying experience even more and resemble
holidays at a true Cretan resort. At the lower levels of the slope where the hotel is built, guests can find a Reception/Lobby area with a small Shop that can provide all the necessary items during their stay, the Hotel’s Garden Pool, which is an ideal spot for socializing, as well as the Hotel’s Cave Restaurant, where they can choose to enjoy an
exciting local gastronomic experience, upon request, or even organize a small-scale event. Last but not least, the Hotel’s Waterfall Spa & Gym features indoor and outdoor
wellness spaces, where guests can workout, enjoy a hammam/sauna session, as well as unique Waterfall Massages next to the artificial waterfall. This whole common-use area, is designed in a way that reproduces the surrounding nature — hence the elements of local trees, herbs, and plants, as well as the concept of the waterfall, that
brings the experience of a Cretan gorge within the hotel premises.
In addition to the facilities, The Hidden Alleys offer a series of luxury Hotel Services, such as Breakfast, daily Housekeeping, Maid Services (laundry, dry cleaning), Nanny,
and a highly-expertized Concierge that can be accessed 24/7 via popular texting applications (such as WhatsApp) or via the in-room Tablets found in each Villa or Home.
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 Grounds
The Garden Pool
The Cave Restaurant
The Vegetable Garden
The Waterfall Massage Area
The Hidden Gym
Room Types
One Bedroom Homes
Two Bedroom Homes
Three Bedroom Villas
Four Bedroom Villas
Hotel Concept Development
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.
The overall philosophy balances between total privacy & serenity within Cretan nature and upgraded hotel experiences that give the option to the guests to shape their holiday itinerary just like they wish to.
Sources of Inspiration
The Uniqueness of The Gorge
The Local Architecture
The Constant Contact With The Nature
The Philosophy of Absolute Calm and Privacy
Signature Experiences
The Nature Sit Spots
The Chef’s Table Experience
The Waterfall Massage
The BBQ Nights
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 of the property is inspired by two basic elements that define its essence: On the one hand, it is the element of 'hidden', the remote, the place where one can enjoy absolute privacy and tranquility. On the other hand, is the structure of the property, which is divided into unequal zones, creating narrow streets/paths, which connect the different levels. The specific layout of the plot creates the image of a traditional Cretan village - however, the term Village is avoided as it is very common term in many hotels in Crete and Greece in general.
Apart from the paths of the hotel itself, the name also refers to the ‘hidden paths’ that exist in the virgin lands behind the plot and that run through the gorge, offering unique experiences to the residents who seek to discover them.
Logo Description
The logo of The Hidden Alleys is inspired by the term "Kamara", which in this case, refers to the name of the location, but also symbolizes both the threshold and the window, which when opened, one discovers the hidden local beauty. This element is also a referral to some of the traditional elements of local architecture. Thus, the observer-visitor receives the feeling of the combination of traditional and modern.
This design can be read in two ways: Either as an arched window or as an "alley" street plan. Its color combination results from natural colors, such as the green of the natural environment, combined with tones of gold and brown, thus emphasizing the well-being and luxury that the guest should feel.
Implementation Examples
Project Partners
For the completion of the project, Destsetters collaborates with the 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.