The Tanneries Hotel & Spa | Smponia Konstantina

The Tanneries Hotel & Spa is located in a waterfront neighborhood next to Chania’s city center and old town, Tabakaria. The area is characterized by its distinctive architecture, with the buildings featuring tall chimneys, arched doorways, and large courtyards that were used for drying and storing leather.

The complex consists of 4 heritage protected industrial buildings that were used to operate as tanneries in the previous century. The buildings were preserved unchanged regarding the outdoor aspect and at the same time an innovative indoor skeleton was created. This idea would statically follow the latest regulations and would serve an updated use of the hotel.

What made a great influence on the architecture are these undefined buildings of big dimensions that were quite close to the sea. 

Since the buildings were industrial, they were constructed with stone, glass, metals, concrete and root tiles without patterns of symmetry. During the renovations, the industrial character was preserved by the use of natural materials and colors of beige and black shaping a minimalistic style at the same time. The use of gunite for the indoor space serves the aim to support the previous masonry, as well as the use of roof tiles. Now, transformed into a luxurious hotel & spa, the complex offers 20 waterfront suites (junior suite-deluxe suite-superior suite-family suite-presidential suite) all with sea view, spacious marble tiled bathrooms, steam showers in every suite, a spa and a top-notch restaurant. The suites are ranging from 35sqm (376sft) to 104sqm (1119ft), suitable for couple travelers and honeymooners to families.

Additionally, there is jacuzzi on the outside, sunbeds and a restaurant* next to the sea. Regarding the restaurant of the hotel, at the bar area there is a granite that lights up. Both at the spa and the gym area the glass bricks that exist provide the feeling of permeability and privacy. There is also a wavy sheet metal which contributes in the whole design and connects the inside space with the sea outside.

When Cretan gastronomy pursues freshness and modernity; *Periplous Seaside restaurant serves high-quality and locally sourced ingredients from trusted producers of the wider Crete region.

Accessing the hotel’s lobby from the urban side of the area there is again the feeling of permeability, since the visitors have access to the sea view throughout big windows. What has been achieved is the smooth merge between the urban and the sea side. On the whole, all spaces (Restaurant, reception, pool, spa, gym, conference room) share common characteristics but, at the same time they have individual details that contribute to the diversity.

Boasting enormous windows with sea views, in the spa area there is a heated indoor pool and also a variety of relaxing massages, scrubs and other treatments are conducted there.

Photography: Anastasakis Giorgos (https://georgeanastasakis.com/)