Manna Arcadia, Greece

Credits: Architectural & Interior Design: K-Studio
Technical Design: Monogon & CS Architecture
Photos by Ana Santl

A destination in itself or a magical place to stop by when going to or returning from Athens, the five-star Manna offers its guests the unique experience of a complete immersion in the enchanting forests of Arcadia, at an altitude of 1,200 meters. In 2024, its excellence was recognized with the award of Hotel of the Year 2024, along with five Gold Awards in the categories of Best New Hotel, Most Scenic Location, Best Hideaway Retreat, Best Design Hotel, and Best Historic Hotel. The imposing building that houses it was built at the end of the 1920s by a Swiss architect, following the neoclassical style that was popular at the time. Used for two decades as a sanatorium, it was then abandoned and fell into disrepair, becoming a true treasure trove of precious building materials, which were repurposed in the small towns nearby. The current owner, who spent his childhood summers in this remote area of the Peloponnese, had always dreamed of seeing it reborn. Architects and interior designers from K-Studio helped him realize that dream, with a renovation project that preserves the building’s original spirit while reinventing it with a stylistic language that perfectly blends the past and contemporary design. Envisioned as an oasis dedicated to the well-being of the body and mind, this hospitality gem surprises with the extraordinary formal and chromatic coherence of its interior design: the sand-white surfaces and natural wood furnishings create an ethereal atmosphere that invites relaxation and a deep connection with the surrounding nature’s exuberance. From the common areas, the wellness experience extends to the bedrooms and bathrooms, which also feature neutral tones and great formal lightness. Here, the task of pampering the senses is entrusted to the enveloping shape of the Ambra cast-iron bathtub, whose exterior is covered by a precious sheet of handworked antiqued copper.