Casa Cook Chania · Crete, Greece

Under the guidance of lead designer Michael Schickinger (Lambs and Lions), interior stylist and designer Annabell Kutucu, and lead architect Konstantinos Karampatakis (k-studio), Casa Cook Chania has evolved from a concept of community to a physical space that is much more. With a focus on family, the hotel advocates a mixture of private and shared experiences and spaces; whether you choose a room with a private plunge pool, or favor lounging in more social areas under the sun, they have you covered.

The hotel itself comprises of 102 handcrafted rooms, each with a pared-back aesthetic and a tactility that links strongly to the Cretan landscape; rock walls mimic the mountain of Lefka Ori, and woven lamps speak of dappled light through palm fronds. “There was not a single point of inspiration”, Masala explains, when asked of the origins of the design. “Our designers have created modern architectural structures which seamlessly fall between the mighty snow-capped mountains and the beach. It is this tension that makes the place so special.”

The summer of 2019 will be nicely rounded out with the opening of two more hotels by the end of summer: Casa Cook El Gouna in Egypt, and Casa Cook Ibiza in Spain. “Each Casa Cook has a narrative”, Masala concludes, “because the desire of the traveler is no longer directed only to physical places, but to immersion in a dream.”