Noūs Santorini: A New Island Chapter for YES! Hotels Group
Noūs Santorini marks a new chapter for YES! Hotels Group, one that redefines the luxury retreat through a focus on slowness, spaciousness, and an effortless fusion of design and landscape. Situated in the tranquil village of Messaria, at the heart of Santorini, the property is the group’s first venture beyond Athens and its most ambitious project to date.
One of the largest private footprints on the island, Noūs is a study in architectural restraint and contextual elegance. Through modern lines and raw materials, private bungalows with their own pools, expansive gardens, and sun-drenched communal areas echo the Cycladic vernacular. Willow, volcanic stone, and textured plaster are used throughout the resort, shaping everything from window shutters to lighting fixtures to create a seamless dialogue between built form and natural surroundings.
This sense of harmony extends into the interiors, where design intentionally recedes to allow space, light, and views to take centre stage. Bungalows nestle into the landscape like the staggered villages of old Santorini, while public areas are punctuated with thoughtful gathering spaces that encourage stillness and connection.
True to YES! Hotels Group’s design-forward legacy—established with Karim Rashid’s Semiramis, the Campana brothers’ NEW Hotel, and Periscope, the group’s ode to contemporary Greek art—Noūs continues the tradition with an emphasis on art that is both curated and lived-in. Young Greek artists have been invited to create site-specific works that interact with the architecture, environment, and guest experience, enriching the sensory depth of the property.
The landscaping draws cues from the nearby prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, where centuries-old frescoes reveal rivers, subtropical flora, and symbolic natural elements. These ancient images come to life through a lush botanical palette at Noūs: xeric grasses, a Nerium grove, and an aromatic herb garden that encourage a slower pace and immersive presence.
A trio of food and beverage outlets introduces a culinary philosophy rooted in locality and seasonality, spotlighting organic ingredients and regional wines. This commitment to wellness continues at the Noūs Santorini Spa, where treatments, rituals, and a dedicated vitamin bar are designed around the Greek concept of Ef Zin—the art of living well.
Noūs Santorini doesn’t just offer luxury—it reframes it. In a world attuned to speed and spectacle, it invites guests to rediscover beauty in simplicity, rootedness, and the enduring grace of nature.
Noūs Santorini is a member of Design Hotels. For more information, click the link below.
