One&Only Aesthesis has opened its doors on the Athenian Riviera, marking luxury resort brand One&Only’s first location in Greece.
The 127-key property sits on the former site of the iconic Asteria beach club, which dates back to the 1950s. At the height of its popularity, Asteria—meaning “stars” in Greek—drew filmmakers, movie stars, artists, and musicians.
Three architecture firms—AUDO, A6Architects, and K-Studio—and interior design studio Muza Lab worked together to revitalize the property in a way that pays homage to Asteria’s roots and infuses it with One&Only’s signature luxury.
The structures that make up One&Only Aesthesis were placed in the same locations as the original Asteria bungalows and communal areas. The design draws inspiration from the midcentury glamour of the beach club’s heyday, and blurs the lines between indoors and out.
The central building sets the tone for the resort. A slatted exterior, reminiscent of traditional Greek claustras, provides privacy, air flow, and filtered light, and the interiors are bathed in sunlight thanks to skylights and panoramic windows overlooking the main pool and the Aegean Sea.
Native timbers and local marble in shades of pearly white and sand form the foundation of the interior design, complemented by a coastal color palette, stone feature walls, and slatted timber pergolas.
Each of the dining options carries its own distinct aesthetic. Signature all-day restaurant Ora by Ettore Botrini features warm timbers and olive green accents against the backdrop of an open kitchen. The Alelia bar takes cues from Greek gardens, with sculptural blue and green pendant lights and olive trees replanted from the original property. Meanwhile, the Thimisi bar channels the cosmopolitan spirit of the Athenian Riviera’s golden days with a curved timber bar and midcentury-style stools.
Sustainability is also integral to the resort, which holds both LEED and SITES certification. Locally sourced materials, timber construction, tree preservation, energy conservation, and 200,000 planted Mediterranean and native species are all part of an overall eco-conscious approach. Some of the residences even feature living green roofs for insulation and aesthetic integration.
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