Page 126 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
influence
THE AUTHENTIC

HOSPITALITY GUARDIAN

Fond of unity, Kalia Konstantinidou,

co-owner of Kanava Hotels & Resorts,

sets the pace to recreate the Greek

authentic hospitality.

Interview by ELSA SOIMIRI

W ith the vision of creating lifetime memories,

Kalia Konstantinidou aims at redefining the notion
of a summer destination forging a bond between the
Kanava Hotels & Resorts and their guests. An integral
part of their DNA, this bond is transmuted into the
“joy of life” and respect for the locality.
What motivated you to create Kanava Hotels &
Resorts and what are the goals and vision behind it?
From the day that my husband, Antonis Iliopoulos,
had the idea to turn a rustic vineyard to the first five-star hotel of Santorini, the
now renowned Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, our vision was clear; we
want to redefine destinations as the leading luxury hospitality brand of Greece.
Our goal is to offer unique experiences to sophisticated travelers, in order to create
lifetime memories and elevate Greek hospitality. Our sole purpose is to act as the
bond for our guests to connect with the destination, while we encourage them
to fully disconnect and create their own story, embracing the authentic Cycladic
lifestyle and carefree state of mind.
How would you define the DNA of Kanava Hotels & Resorts which has been
preserved to this day?
Each of our properties represents a part of our company’s DNA and ourselves
– each feels like our child with a very distinctive character and personality. Even
though we have expanded significantly over the past few years, our DNA has
Although she spends successfully managed to preserve the unique character of our brand. It consists
most of her time of our values which are the backbone of the way we operate in everyday life. We
in Cyclades, Kalia strongly believe in the “joy of life” both for our guests when they visit our proper-
Konstantinidou remains
an Athenian lover as a ties, but also for our people who make everything possible, from their inner soul.
South of Athens native. Another important aspect of our DNA is no other than passion for what we do,

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