Noūs Santorini hotel is a haven of minimalism in the Greek islands

The minimalist haven that is Noūs Santorini, designed by Divercity Architects in collaboration with MPlusM, opens on the Greek Aegean island

Little white houses, uncluttered views and heavenly sunsets are a staple of the Aegean Islands. The Greek archipelago’s latest architectural hospitality offering, Noūs Santorini hotel – opening its doors to the public this month – takes this to the next level, infusing those classic images with modern luxury and minimalist architecture, courtesy of a design team comprising Athens-based studios Divercity Architects in collaboration with MPlusM.

Noūs Santorini is Yes! Hotels’ – and parent company Donkey Hotels’ – first foray outside of Athens. The hospitality brand, owned by the family of art collector and businessman Dakis Joannou, is behind key Athenian design-led hotels such as Periscope, in the chic Kolonaki district, and New Hotel, a contemporary visual arts extravaganza by the Fernando & Humberto Campana in central Athens, a stone’s throw from Plaka.

Noūs Santorini hotel: minimalist but rooted in its setting

Taking its cues from its context, the Noūs Santorini hotel design is rooted in the island’s traditional settlements and vernacular architecture. Employing local crafts, and white and neutral colours for a clean interior backdrop that is anchored to the ground, the spaces feel earthy, highlighted with terracotta shades and vibrant warm colours. Patterns reference the island’s famous archaeological murals, while contemporary art dots the private and communal areas. The interior is furnished with a mix of bespoke designs and pieces by international industry icons, such as Doshi Levien, Konstantin Grcic, and Faye Toogood.

Merging fine design with a pared-down, rich yet simple way of life – the slow lifestyle the Mediterranean is known for – Noūs Santorini hotel bridges raw materials and familiar architecture with 21st-century hospitality. This applies across both the accommodation and the culinary options too, as the hotel includes fine gastronomical offerings and the local wine that Santorini is famous for.

The resort comprises 121 rooms, most of which are in bungalows with private pools. Striking long views of the Aegean Sea are on offer, as guests sit by the water, engulfed in the Mediterranean greenery and the wider outdoor environment designed by Greek landscape architecture studio Doxiadis+.