The main challenge of the project was to design CNP Luxurious Suites as a hospitality building with a strong urban identity, capable of operating efficiently as a city hotel while retaining the flexibility of a multi-purpose investment property.

From the very first design phase, the goal was to create a project that could support different operational models in the future. The architectural solution therefore had to allow a transition from short-term rental use to long-term living or even the sale of individual apartments, without requiring major interventions to the structural system or the building’s core infrastructure.

At the same time, the project introduced a second equally important requirement. Each room had to acquire its own spatial identity. A standardised design logic was deliberately avoided. Instead, every apartment was designed individually, with a different composition, material palette, and atmosphere, so that the project as a whole could offer a more personalised hospitality experience.

Architectural Identity for a Contemporary Hospitality Experience in Heraklion

The architectural language of the building was shaped by a clear urban character and a contemporary minimalist aesthetic. As a hospitality project in the heart of Heraklion, it called for a clean formal expression that responds to the city environment while supporting the image of a refined and contemporary hospitality destination.

The palette was based on subtle and sophisticated tones, with white, black, and wood as the dominant elements. Ribbed glass, vertical dividers, and wall cladding were integrated into the composition, enhancing the rhythm of both the façades and the interiors, while also introducing privacy, material richness, and spatial depth.

Apartment Typologies and Functional Flexibility

The building includes three main unit typologies: maisonettes, studios, and one-bedroom apartments. All units feature a compact kitchen, supporting the idea of autonomous living and reinforcing the apartment hotel concept of the project.

These typologies made it possible to shape a flexible building programme that can accommodate both short-stay visitors and guests planning a longer stay. In this way, the project gains greater commercial resilience and gives the owner the ability to redefine the property’s operational strategy according to changing market demands.

A Unique Identity for Every Room

A central principle of the design was that each room would be treated as an autonomous micro-environment. No repetitive or uniform design model was followed. Instead, each unit was given its own palette, materials, and atmosphere.

This differentiation is expressed through colour choices, textures, wall finishes, and spatial dividers. As a result, the guest enjoys a more individualised experience, while the overall project acquires stronger architectural interest and a more distinctive hospitality identity.

Materials, Detail, and Interior Atmosphere

Particular emphasis was placed on detail and on the composition of materials capable of expressing a sense of contemporary elegance without excess. Wood acts as a warm balancing element against the white and black surfaces, while ribbed glass and vertical features introduce a refined layer of privacy and visual filtering.

The overall interior language remains clean, urban, and sophisticated, fully aligned with the character of a contemporary city hotel.

Building Systems and Guest Comfort

The MEP design was organised with energy efficiency and the quality of the guest experience in mind. Heating and cooling are provided through a heat pump system and ceiling-mounted fan-coil units, both discreetly integrated into plasterboard constructions so that the architectural clarity of the spaces remains uninterrupted.

Smart Systems and Operational Management

Particular attention was given to the integration of smart systems, enabling the owner to monitor and manage the hotel remotely. Automation was incorporated into lighting control, reception functions, and housekeeping coordination, improving efficiency and supporting the day-to-day operation of the property.

Beyond operational convenience, these systems add an important layer of long-term value to the project. They make the building easier to manage, more adaptable to changing needs, and better aligned with the expectations of contemporary hospitality.

The result is a contemporary city hotel that balances architectural clarity, operational flexibility, and a distinctive guest experience. Through the design of 18 autonomous apartments, each with its own spatial identity, the project moves beyond the logic of standardised hospitality and offers a more personal and memorable way of staying in the city.

At the same time, the building has been designed to support different modes of use over time, from short-term hospitality to long-term living or the sale of individual units. This flexibility strengthens the long-term value of the property, while preserving the integrity of the original architectural concept.

Would you like us to design your next hotel or accommodation project?

Book a free consultation with our team today!