3 minute read
Nao at Minos Palace Resort, Greece
Minos Palace Resort, a luxury adults-only property on the eastern side of Crete, has completed a significant investment in the redevelopment of its hotel and the creation of new wellness facilities.
Offering views of the Aegean Sea, the resort has 121 rooms as well as bungalows and 28 suites with private and shared pools. The accommodation, reception and food and beverage areas were completely refurbished in 2024.
The resort’s owner, Bluegr Hotels & Resorts, has invested over €7 million (£6 million) into the new wellness longevity spa, Nao. Architecture was by Stones & Walls, a design studio from Athens. They worked with Moss Wellness Consultancy to realise the concept, bringing to life the beautifully designed spaces. Garden designer Karolos Chanikian was responsible for landscaping.
Targeting the hallmarks of ageing
Derived from the ancient Greek word meaning ‘to flow’, Nao is said to symbolise harmony and continuous transformation. Overseen by spa manager Anastasia Konstantaros, Nao aims to inspire a lifestyle change in its guests.
At the spa’s core is a targeting of the 12 hallmarks of ageing – the key biological processes that are responsible for decline in later years. Among these are chronic inflammation, epigenetic changes, disabled autophagy, telomere attrition and mitochondrial disfunction. The aim is to extend both the lifespan and health span of guests.
Each Nao journey is guided by four foundational pillars of wellbeing: nutrition, sleep, movement and self-mastery. Together, these create an integrated path to wellbeing, addressing physical, mental and emotional health.
Lifestyle transformation
“We wanted to approach longevity as a lifestyle, not just an intervention,” says Nigel Franklyn, co-founder of Moss Wellness Consultancy. “Unlike many clinical approaches, the Nao Method instils daily habits and mindset shifts, empowering guests to sustain health span improvements long after they leave.”
Prior to arrival guests complete detailed questionnaires, then at the property, additional tests provide a comprehensive analysis of their health. Led by doctors and the team of wellness practitioners, key biomarkers are focused on using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools including Styku and Pnoē metabolic analysis.
The wellness space features eight treatment rooms, infrared sauna, a Brain Gym and two consultation rooms. Electric full-body cryotherapy is complemented by hot and cold plunge baths and a photobiomodulation room. As well as meditation areas, a hydrotherapy pool and emotional showers, there is a retail area and space for relaxation.
INSIDE THE PROJECT
Spa size 1,100sqm
Product houses The Tides Wellness, QMS Cosmetics
Spa suppliers Osmo, KLAFS, Mecotec, Ferm living, Audo Copenhagen, Swiss Pearl, Kristalia, Adorno, Ethnicraft, Casamance, Puro Lino, Capri, A+M Athens, Kimisoo, Gharieni, Myndstream, NovoThor, Styku, Pnoē, Cellgym, Deesse Pro, Plato, Pulsetto, Reaxing, Ostracon, Afrodite by eurotel, Ateliers C&S Davoy
