*산토리니 그레이스 호텔 Santorini Grace Hotel

산토리니 그레이스 호텔은 없다.
단지 푸른바다를 바라 볼 수 있는
하얀색의 공간만이 존재 할뿐이다.
더이상 무슨 말이 필요하겠는가?
이곳에서도 알아주는 그레이스 호텔은
부띠끄 호텔로 유명하지만
건축물 자체가 가지고 있는 아름다움보다
자연에 겸허이 자기 자리를 내줌으로써
더 럭셔리한 프라빗 호텔이 되었다.
나는 그렇게 생각한다 자연보다 더 훌륭한 건축물은 없고
더 훌륭한 디자인은 없다고.
건축가는 자연과의 조우를 생각할때 상당히 많은 고민을
할 수밖에 없다. 얼마만큼의 자연을 내 안으로
가져 올 수 있을까? 얼마만큼 덜 디자인해야
이 자연과 하나 될 수 있을까?
요사이 건축은 그 어떤 디자인보다 많은 것을
담을려고 하는 어폐를 보이고 있다.
많이 담아야 훌륭한 디자인이고
남에게 인정 받을 수 있다고 생각한다.
하지만 무릇 디자인의 진정성을 생각한다면
많이 디자인하는 것보다 덜 디자인 하는 것이
더 훌륭한 디자인을 하게 된다는 것을 알게 될 것이다.

Breathtaking, picturesque, stunning… all words that are commonly used when describing the Greek Island of Santorini.   Known as the “honeymoon” island, visitors come from all over the world for the legendary sunsets and steep cliffs that lead down to seemingly untouched beaches.

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The deep blue water of the Aegean and white architecture set the stage for the Santorini Grace,a luxury boutique hotel carved into one of the island’s many majesticcliffs. Housed in the traditional and unassuming architecture of theCyclades Islands, the Santorini Gracelooks identical to its surrounding neighbors on the outside with its traditional yposkafa buildings (concrete white, cave-like, with roundededges and dome shaped roofs). The interiors are carved out of the samesingle slab of whitewashed concrete providing curved alcoves, benches,storage, bed platforms, and tables, eliminating the need for mostfurniture –but that wouldn’t be much fun, would it?  Curved modernchairs, hourglass-shaped side tables, and flat screen televisions aresome of the chic finishing touches found throughout the guest rooms.

It is true, the modest exterior of the Santorini Graceis a nod to the traditions of the Cyclades, while the interior can bebest summed up in one word: posh.  Not posh in the traditional sense ofthe word (there are no opulent chandeliers or ritzy sculptures, nomarble floors or gold trimming), but rich by nature, privileged by itsorganic surrounding environment.  The elegance of the whitewashed wallsis intoxicating.  Lush seating areas and two infinity pools are bathedin the luxurious afternoon light that reflects off the Aegean.  Pickany lounge chair and you have the best seat in the house.

There are 20 rooms total at the Santorini Graceand all face the same direction for optimal views.  Some have privateplunge pools, some are honeymoon suites with his and hers sinks in thebathroom.  The hotel is sprawled out over several different levelsplaying on the “cave” aesthetic. While there are nooks and alcoves forprivacy, there is a general communal vibe amongst everyone lounging bythe pool, or the bars, or in the restaurant. Low key opulence is the tie that bonds here.

Only recently opened in 2009, The Santorini Grace has already been given many accolades and awards: Shortlisted in the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2011, Included in Tatler Travel Guide's 101 Best Hotels in the World, 2011, Shortlisted for The European Hotel Design Awards, 2010, Selected for Conde Nast Traveller’s Hot List of the World’s Best New Hotels, 2009, and at the World Travel Awards, it won Greece's Leading Boutique of 2009.

from  yatzer