The Vision Behind Dexamenes

"This place was always a landmark in my memory," Nikos Karaflos tells us, leaning back in his chair as he watches the waves roll in. Born and raised in the region, he had known the building for as long as he could remember. At fifteen, his family purchased the property, but its significance had already been imprinted in his mind. In school, he had been assigned to interview locals who once worked at the winery, and through their stories, he glimpsed the building’s golden past—when its tanks brimmed with fermenting wine and the air buzzed with activity.

The winery itself was a byproduct of crisis. In the late 19th century, Greece’s economy was heavily dependent on black Corinth currants, a key export to France’s winemaking industry. But when French vineyards recovered from phylloxera—a disease that had decimated their crops—demand for Greek currants collapsed, leaving local farmers struggling. In response, the Greek government established large-scale wineries, like the one at Dexamenes, to turn the excess produce into wine for export.

"This building was part of that effort," Nikos explains. "It was built as a solution to an economic crisis, and in many ways, that makes its transformation into a hotel even more meaningful."

When he first stepped inside the abandoned tanks as their new owner, the space felt both monumental and forgotten. Dust coated the concrete floors, the walls bore the residue of decades-old wine, and the rooms were sealed in darkness. Most would have seen it as a ruin. Nikos saw potential.

"I never once thought about demolishing it," he says firmly. "This place already had a soul. It didn’t need to be designed; it just needed to be revealed." His philosophy was clear from the beginning—preservation over reinvention. "Too often, restoration means erasure. But real preservation means restraint. It’s about knowing when to step back and let a place breathe."

Dexamenes would not be a hotel that merely referenced history; it would be a hotel that lived and breathed it.

‍

The Challenges of Transformation

"Where do I start?" Nikos laughs, shaking his head. "The bureaucracy alone was enough to make anyone walk away." Repurposing an old industrial site into a luxury hotel required navigating a labyrinth of regulations. But the real challenge was the structure itself. Each of the enormous concrete tanks had been built differently, meaning there was no one-size-fits-all approach to the renovation.

The tanks were originally sealed shut, with no doors or windows. For over a century, they had remained in darkness. The first time Nikos and his team cut into the thick concrete, allowing light to flood the space, he felt something profound.

"It was emotional," he admits. "This place had been dormant for so long, and suddenly, it was waking up."

Beyond the physical transformation, Nikos also had to navigate his own transition from engineer to hotelier. "I never saw myself in hospitality," he says. "I just knew I wanted to create something meaningful." Learning how to shape Dexamenes into a functioning hotel while staying true to his vision was no easy feat. "It took years, but we built this project from scratch. Now, seeing what we’ve created, I wouldn’t change a thing."

‍

Preserving Industrial Beauty While Creating Warmth

The most remarkable aspect of Dexamenes is how it balances raw industrial beauty with warmth and comfort. The original winery was stark and utilitarian, made almost entirely of concrete and steel. Nikos knew that adding unnecessary ornamentation would feel inauthentic, so he focused instead on subtle interventions that enhanced the existing structure.

"The challenge was softening the space without compromising its integrity," he explains. Natural materials—wood, clay, and textiles—were introduced to contrast with the concrete, bringing warmth and texture. When the team cut through the thick walls to create openings, they discovered a terrazzo-like effect in the exposed stone.

"That became a design feature," Nikos says. "We worked with local craftsmen to create custom terrazzo that matched the original material, so the new additions felt seamless."

Every design choice at Dexamenes is rooted in its history. "Nothing here is superficial," Nikos emphasizes. "Everything is connected to what was already present. That’s how we kept the story intact." The result is a space that feels both grounded in the past and entirely contemporary—a place where history isn’t just preserved but made part of the experience.

Sustainability & Guest Experience

For Nikos, sustainability is not just a design principle—it’s a responsibility. "We approached sustainability in the same way we approached design: by keeping things simple and true to their origins," he explains. Rather than imposing modern eco-solutions, the team focused on repurposing what was already there. The concrete blocks removed to create doorways became stepping stools and coffee tables. The old water pipes from the winery were transformed into handrails along the promenade. Even the bricks from demolished sections found a new purpose, now forming the flooring in select areas of the hotel.

The commitment to sustainability extends beyond construction. "We don’t just serve food; we serve a connection to the land," Nikos says. The hotel sources ingredients from local farmers, ensuring a seasonal and low-impact menu. The cocktail program follows the same philosophy—only Greek spirits are used, and waste is minimized through creative repurposing.

"Sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste," he adds. "It’s about creating something that lasts—something that respects its surroundings rather than depleting them." And with Dexamenes, he has done just that.

‍

The Future of Dexamenes

Looking ahead, Nikos sees Dexamenes evolving not in size, but in experience. "We’re not interested in growing bigger; we’re interested in growing deeper," he says. Plans are already underway for immersive guest experiences, including farm stays, conscious fishing excursions, and new collaborations with local artisans.

"I want guests to leave not just having stayed in a hotel, but having felt something—having connected to the land, the people, and the history," he explains. "That, to me, is what true luxury is about."

One of the most exciting initiatives in development is a project to create temporary, mobile hospitality spaces—intimate, off-the-grid retreats in vineyards, olive groves, and remote coastal landscapes. "Imagine staying in a vineyard during harvest season, waking up to the scent of crushed grapes, or spending a night on a secluded beach where the only sounds are the waves and the wind," Nikos says. "These are the kinds of experiences that go beyond traditional hospitality. They connect people directly to nature and tradition."

Sustainability continues to be at the heart of Dexamenes' evolution. "We are looking at ways to make our operations even more self-sufficient, from renewable energy sources to zero-waste dining concepts," Nikos shares. "We want to push the boundaries of what a truly sustainable hotel can be, without compromising on comfort or authenticity."

Beyond physical expansion, Nikos also sees Dexamenes as a platform for cultural exchange. "We have started collaborating with artists, designers, and musicians to create temporary installations and events that bring new life to the space," he explains. "I want Dexamenes to be a meeting point, a place where ideas are exchanged, where creativity flourishes, and where guests leave with a deeper appreciation for the culture and history of this region."

As we wrap up our conversation, the sun begins to set, casting golden light over the concrete tanks. The sea is calm, the atmosphere meditative. Nikos looks around, taking in the space he has so carefully and deliberately brought back to life.

"I never wanted Dexamenes to be just another hotel," he says. "I wanted it to be a place that makes people think, that makes them feel something. If we can do that, then I know we’ve succeeded."

And as we sit there, surrounded by history, watching the past and present merge seamlessly into one, it’s impossible not to feel it—the weight of time, the beauty of preservation, and the undeniable magic of Dexamenes.