Crete Welcomes NIKO Seaside Resort, Greece’s Second MGallery Hotel

Accor, a world leading hospitality group, recently held the official opening of the NIKO Seaside Resort, a member of the MGallery Hotel Collection, in Agios Nikolaos on the Greek island of Crete.

Referred to as “a new landmark” in Agios Nikolaos, NIKO Seaside Resort – MGallery is the second MGallery hotel in Greece, and the first to open its doors on a Greek island. The resort came to fruition through a partnership between Accor; Hines, Greece; Henderson Park; and the Y&T Daskalantonakis Knossian Group.

According to Accor, the adults-only resort represents “the new era” for Cretan hospitality, as the location makes it an increasingly recognised strategic site for global interest and investments.

“In the past two years Accor has doubled its presence in Greece,” said Maud Bailly, CEO of Accor Southern Europe, during the commemorative ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday.

Accor has more plans for Greece

Bailly said that by 2025, Accor plans to double its footprint in Greece but in a respectful way.

“I am convinced that the hospitality of tomorrow will be sustainable or won’t be. For Greece, embodying sustainability means less mass tourism, more lifestyle, premium and luxury properties, being rooted in actions and committed to Environmental Social Governance (ESG) standards,” she said.

Paul Gomopoulos, Senior Managing Director of Hines Greece; Giannis Plakiotakis, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy; Tina Daskalantonakis of Y&T Daskalantonakis Knossian Group; Maud Bailly, CEO of Accor Southern Europe; Giannis Daskalantonakis of Y&T Daskalantonakis Knossian Group; and Antonis Zervos, Mayor of Agios Nikolaos.

In keeping with the MGallery philosophy, the coastal adults-only resort ensures a high-end hospitality experience with an artful element present throughout. With a seamless blend of architecture, stunning décor, gastronomy and art, NIKO Seaside Resort – MGallery stands as gateway to discover the riches of Crete.

The NIKO Seaside Resort – MGallery has a selection of 141 rooms and suites, most with their own private plunge pools on their balconies, four food and beverage venues and impressing views of Mirabello Bay.

Accor currently has 1,400 rooms in Greece and, according to Xavier Grange, Senior Vice President, Head of Development Accor Southern Europe, the group’s target is to double this number in the next three years.

“Our philosophy is based on three pillars. The first is luxury: we want to develop more luxury hotels and premium, lifestyle hotels. Second, we want to be more local and work with people who know the markets better than us. Lastly, we are basing this on franchise contracts with local operators,” Grange said.

“We have great brands that we wish to develop in this beautiful country and I think Greece will be an amazing region for us to develop our new all-inclusive platform.”

According to Giannis Daskalantonakis of Y&T Daskalantonakis Knossian Group, the NIKO Seaside Resort – MGallery is already “loved” by guests.

“It is showcasing a 90 percent occupancy rate, which is unheard of for a hotel so recently launched,” he said.

As with every MGallery property around the world, NIKO Seaside Resort – MGallery has its own unique character and story to share, expressed through its Iconic Object and Memorable Moment. The resort shares the Cretan spirit of hospitality, having the Cretan Lyra as an Iconic Object and a visit to the uninhabited island of Spinalonga as a Memorable Moment .