Navarino Bay

The 140-hectare (346-acre) Navarino Bay site, the first earth-sheltered mixed-use resort in Europe, which is expected to welcome visitors in the near future, stretches along a magnificent 2km seafront that affords breathtaking views of the Bay of Navarino, particularly at sunset. It is a place of outstanding natural beauty and enormous historical importance.

Widely celebrated in myth and history, the Bay of Navarino is famous for the many naval engagements that have taken place there, among them the Battle of Navarino in which the allied armada of Britain, France and Russia defeated on 20 October 1827 the Ottoman fleet, marking a decisive turning point in the Greek Revolution that led to Greece's independence nearly 200 years ago.

The design of guest accommodation has been inspired by the oldest local architectural form, namely vaulted construction. The basic design concept seeks to achieve optimum utilization of natural elements, resulting in a unique living experience that fully respects the environment and conserves nature's precious resources.

In this balanced synthesis of architecture and landscape, all buildings will be earth-sheltered, embedded harmoniously in the site's natural terrain. The amphitheatrically arranged facilities will have "living roofs" planted with local varieties to enhance biodiversity and habitat creation. The buildings will be designed and oriented to take full advantage of rainwater and the ample sunlight, while accommodations are complemented by open spaces and infinity pools.

Compared to conventional designs, the earth-sheltered approach at Navarino Bay will result in an overall reduction of energy consumption for heating and cooling, while preserving the natural environment.

The earth-sheltered design of Navarino Bay will be home to the Banyan Tree all-pool-villa resort, the first of its kind in Europe, and one more luxury resort hotel to be announced shortly.