Home » Big brands launch in Greek market Summer of 2025 will see a number of international hotel brands opening their first properties across Greece as the brands make headway in a market still dominated by smaller In May 2025, Hyatt opens Zelia Halkidiki its first Destination by Hyatt resort to start trading in Greece The 122 room adults only property will operate under a franchise agreement and is only Hyatt’s second resort in the country And in June 2025, Marriott will open its JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa the brand’s first property in all of Greece will be managed by leading Greek hotel management company SWOT Hospitality Guests will enjoy the expanse of more than 100 acres of grounds offering stunning views along the coast of the island of Crete Accor has also introduced its Movenpick brand to Greece opening the first international resort in the north western region of Epirus is looking forward to a brighter future with the support of the Accor group Both hotels are owned by the Gelasakis Group and will join another IHG hotel already open on the island The intimate Chania Hotel will have just 39 rooms with guests in its 76 rooms enjoying easy access to Georgioupolis beach Serviced apartment brand Bob W is working on its third site in the city Bob W Stadiou is expected to open in late 2025 adding 130 units to the company’s inventory in the Greek capital Radisson, too, is growing in the country, and will open Radisson Red Mitropoleos Square later in 2025 An existing office building is being converted to a 112 room hotel by Gnosis Investments in a project reckoned to represent a EUR30 million investment Start a free trial of THP’s database with over 8,500 hotel projects and key contact details You are currently viewing a placeholder content from HubSpot Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers THP is a subsidiary of Sleeper Media © 2025 copyright TOPHOTELPROJECTS GmbH – all rights reserved a vibey new beach club and creative family entertainment Could this be your clients’ dream destination in Crete Seamlessly combining family-friendly sophistication with laid-back romantic appeal in an enviable location Domes Zeen Chania is a Cretan escape with enticing new developments for this summer just minutes from Chania’s vibrant old town Domes Zeen Chania has something for all ages and offers a rare balance of boho-chic luxury and cultural immersion making it one of Crete’s most versatile five-star stays this design-led escape is an ideal option for agents keen to increase bookings in the luxury and family sectors and for repeat visitors to Greece Fusing Cretan culture with cosmopolitan flair bringing a laid-back yet elite coastal hotspot to Chania Blending in with Domes Zeen Chania’s earthy tones and boho-chic design the space flows from beach bar and daybeds to a restaurant and laid-back lounge open to both resort guests and discerning locals mindful Mediterranean playlists set the tone for immersive culinary experiences – diners can enjoy Cretan menus infused with subtle Japanese and Mexican influences This new venue is a great talking point for agents who can highlight it to clients before word gets out Sell it: Zamana Beach Club is opening soon for the 2025 summer season so use it to upsell the resort to honeymooners couples or clients who love a curated beach scene Design-led and family-friendly aren’t always found together in hotel descriptions but Domes Zeen Chania brings the two together harmoniously The resort appeals to clients seeking a stylish family holiday without losing the romantic aesthetic that attracts couples Families will be drawn to the Montessori-inspired kids’ club with activities ranging from simple crafts for toddlers to yoga for kids mini cinema and swimming pool within the club Children are also invited to head out into the resort’s gardens with the resident experts to plant their own greens as they learn more about sustainability and healthy eating in a fun way families can relax in design-forward suites with multi-room options available to comfortably accommodate multi-generational groups Direct wellness enthusiasts to the new Reformer Pilates in the Wild offering The Gym Pavilion will feature state-of-the-art Reformer Pilates beds providing an elevated and immersive wellness experience set within the natural surroundings of the resort it’s a versatile booking that earns you repeat business Position the resort to design-conscious families or couples – the all-ages Recently awarded a prestigious Michelin Key Domes Zeen Chania offers guests a world of gastronomic wonder Fine dining restaurant Gallina is presided over by award-winning chef Pavlos Kyriakis with a menu inspired by Greece and the Mediterranean all-day snacks and light bites are available at the Beach House bar and the poolside Ef Zeen bar  Sell it: The new Michelin Key accolade and beach club are great conversation starters with premium clients – use the Key in particular to highlight the resort’s quality Chania is one of the world’s oldest settlements and visitors can explore highlights including the old harbour area the iconic 16th-century lighthouse and the grand stately homes and Turkish bathhouses For those who prefer to spend their holiday by the water’s edge there are plenty of beach options nearby including the golden sand of Falassarna the blue waters of Seitan Limania and tropical Balos Recommend a visit to the nature reserve of Elafonisi where the beach is famed for its pale pink sand Sell it: Promote the experience as well as the hotel As well as being ideally located for accessing Chania’s old town the hotel is also a gateway to some of Greece’s most iconic beaches For clients keen to explore more than one island combine Domes Zeen Chania with Domes Novos Santorini for an ultra-luxury twin-centre with a unique twist In Santorini clients can soak up scenes of renowned sunsets and the caldera dine in cliffside restaurants and visit the red and black sand beaches all from the sanctuary of the resort where each suite or villa features a zen pool This stunning resort is also an ideal option for families suggest clients opt for Domes Resorts’ Haute Living Selection (HLS) This hotel-within-a-hotel concept offers them a curated selection of special value offers upgraded welcome and bathroom amenities and more Sell it: Consider individual clients’ needs A twin-centre such as Chania and Santorini can be a great option for those keen to explore different places while couples or honeymooners looking for a quieter escape may prefer the tranquillity of Chania as an alternative to buzzy Santorini Website: domesresorts.com/domeszeenchania Travel agent training programme and trade site: www.domesresortsexpert.com  Instagram: @domes_resorts  TTG Media Limited.Place of registration: England and Wales.Company number 08723341.Registered address: 2-6 Boundary Row The National Meteorological Service has issued an emergency bulletin warning of deteriorating weather conditions in the south of the country with heavy rainfall and storms expected to impact the Dodecanese and Crete over the coming days locally intense rain and thunderstorms will begin affecting the Dodecanese from Wednesday evening and are expected to persist until Thursday evening the weather will worsen from early Thursday and continue through to Friday morning Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox Share price 8408.00p 2 May 2025 at 16:42 News releases Vignette Collection and a Kimpton La Mer Crete will bolster IHG’s leading luxury and lifestyle footprint in Europe one of the world’s leading hotel companies announces the signing of two properties on the island of Crete Vignette Collection and Kimpton La Mer Crete mark brand debuts in the country and are expected to open in 2025 and 2026 respectively The latest additions will see three IHG brands represented on the island of Crete following in the footsteps of InterContinental Crete which opened in 2024 Vignette Collection will deliver one-of-a-kind and memorable experiences alongside a commitment to more responsible travel including a rooftop bar and an a la carte restaurant guests will also enjoy the use of a wellness centre complete with a rooftop heated plunge pool Located on the beachfront halfway between picturesque Chania and historic Rethymno Kimpton La Mer Crete is set to deliver a world-class luxury beach resort experience two distinctive restaurant offerings and a state-of-the-art spa centre Guests will also have direct access to the scenic Georgioupolis beach Greece continues to be a leading tourist destination in Europe attracting travellers from around the world we are excited to be partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring two of their world-renowned brands to the country and provide guests with two different luxury and lifestyle offerings We believe IHG’s existing in-market experience and global enterprise will be invaluable in helping to drive performance and deliver high returns across both properties.” Vignette Collection is IHG’s first collection brand and represents a curation of distinct hotels Vignette Collection combines each property’s individual identity with the brand’s promise of ‘A Means for Good’ and Memorable Rituals No two stays are the same at any Vignette Collection hotel around the world allowing guests to experience the unique story of each hotel Vignette Collection has achieved more than half of its 10-year target of 100 hotels opening or in the pipeline worldwide within a three-year period The brand provides a compelling way for owners of independent hotels to benefit from IHG’s powerful enterprise offering and global scale while enabling guests to book one-of-a-kind stays with all the benefits of the IHG One Rewards programme Founded in 1981 by visionary hotelier Bill Kimpton design-forward hotels in the United States Bill Kimpton saw an opportunity in the U.S for a hotel experience that was more than a place to stay The lifestyle luxury Kimpton brand is designed to merge a culture of human hospitality and unique The hotels join IHG’s leading luxury and lifestyle portfolio which has grown significantly in recent years to six brands over 530 open hotels and a pipeline of more than 370 properties IHG Hotels & Resorts (tickers: LON:IHG for Ordinary Shares; NYSE:IHG for ADRs) is a global hospitality company with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good With a family of 20 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes with over 145 million members IHG has more than 6,600 open hotels in over 100 countries and a development pipeline of over 2,200 properties InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales Approximately 385,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn Vignette Collection is IHG’s first collection brand and newest addition to its luxury and lifestyle portfolio It represents a fast-growing family of unique properties each offering one-of-a-kind stays in destinations to remember Collectively different and proudly independent Vignette Collection hotels share the vision to harness travel’s ability to benefit local people and places weaving responsibility the brand has surpassed the halfway point in its initial aim to reach 100 hotels in the first 10 years Vignette Collection was launched in 2021 offering owners of world-class independent hotels the ability to benefit from IHG’s powerful enterprise offering and global scale whilst retaining their hotel’s unique character there are 20 open hotels across 12 countries globally and a further 35 properties in the pipeline For more information, visit www.vignettecollectionhotels.com Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio design-forward hotels in the United States in 1981 the San Francisco-born brand now operates more than 75 hotels and over 100 restaurants resort destinations and up-and-coming markets globally From inspiring design to forward-thinking flavors that feed the soul Kimpton spaces and experiences center on its guests Every detail is thoughtfully curated and artfully delivered so that guest experiences remain meaningful For more information, visit www.kimptonhotels.com (KLKN) – The Crete Police Department identified the three individuals who were killed in a house fire on Wednesday night Crete Police Chief Gary Young identified the victims as 74-year-old Dolores Aughe 73-year-old Samuel Aughe and 5-year-old boy Samuel Hernandez A woman in her late 20s was able to escape the blaze on her own Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lincoln with an unknown condition the Crete Volunteer Fire Department was sent to a home near 16th Street and Oak Avenue for a porch fire SEE ALSO: House fire kills three in Crete; ‘We tried to do something,’ witness says The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office is still investigating the cause of the fire But Young said investigators believe the fire was ignited by a propane grill on an enclosed front porch attached to the house Crete has shared spaces and facilities with nearby Doane University Crete Public Schools' Project Rise campaign will help create spaces for Cardinals athletes to call their own home.Monday 2:58 PM CDTBy Timothy HackettCrete is one of the largest school systems in Southeast Nebraska but for decades they've shared their athletic spaces with a nearby university a groundbreaking ceremony marked the first step in creating new spaces for Cardinals athletes to call their own home With many Cardinal students and staff in attendance Crete Public Schools officially broke ground Monday on a multi-million-dollar campaign to create new facilities that will allow the school to host practices and athletic events for nearly every team in the school on their own campus.  “This isn’t just a construction site it’s a launchpad for something extraordinary,” Dr said in his address at Monday's groundbreaking ceremony our Crete students have competed with incredible heart They’ve done so with limited facilities on borrowed fields often without a true home to call their own Project Rise is our opportunity to match that spirit with this space to match our student pride with places worthy of that pride multi-purpose facility that will support generations of Cardinals to come.”  “Today reminds us that education extends far beyond four walls,” said Marilea Thiem director of the Crete Public Schools Foundation “This complex represents more than just new turf and bleachers – it represents teamwork It’s a space where students will learn life lessons that can’t be taught from a textbook And it’s a place where our community will support and inspire future generations.”  “Our philosophy is we want to provide a place where community and passion will collide,” said Mark Littrell a director of business development at Mammoth Construction which is heading the construction operation. “And as a former coach for 43 years my philosophy was always that your sports facilities like these fields we’re getting ready to build are your biggest classrooms in the district because it not only provides a place for practice for your band and your teams but it’s for your physical education classes as well.”  Monday marked the official launch of a plan that’s been in the works at Crete Public Schools for more than half a decade the first phase of Crete’s Project Rise campaign will renovate the existing field space the practice field that hosted the groundbreaking will be converted into additional parking spaces and later phases of the operation will include expansions and improvements for tennis and softball “There’s been six years of meetings where we’ve kicked around different ideas – how do we make this happen what is the best way to utilize this space In our opinion it’s always been an underutilized area and we wanted to make it better for our students and I think the point that we reached today does all of those things,” said Crete Board of Education President Justin Kuntz.  “The support for our teams has just been extraordinary,” Activities Director Matt Martin said “So I’m overjoyed to be a part of something that’s going to bring a lot of pride and build the Crete tradition for years to come.”  Project Rise is broken down into three main phases with a total cost between nine and 10 million dollars The district is footing the full cost of phase one The second phase is to expand the press box and add in restrooms and concession stands amenities that are needed before the space can be a suitable host for a varsity-level event Spacing out the project into phases gives the district some extra time to raise the rest of the support and the funding from the community needed to sustain the costs of the rest of the project there could be a phase four of Project Rise which would enable Crete baseball to be played on school grounds as well Crete Public Schools has shared space and facilities with NAIA Doane University which is just a few blocks away from the Crete campus Crete has hosted varsity home football and soccer games and track meets at Al Papik Field And though that partnership will persist throughout the construction process once that’s complete it will give Cardinal athletes their own space to call home The things that people don’t see are the number of fields that are used for practice every day The marching band that’s using the school parking lot in the morning to prepare for their competition and we’ve got 150 kids in the band year in and year out,” Martin said We play multiple levels in almost every single sport that we offer right now so it’s not just Friday night lights that matter to us it’s sometimes five games of soccer going on here in the spring Those kinds of things are hard to pull off when Doane and us are trying to work together on scheduling a limited amount of space.”  Construction is scheduled to officially begin this week and the school expects to host freshman and JV football events in their new facility as soon as this fall with plans to host varsity soccer matches on campus next spring “It’s the end of my fourth year here and we’ve been talking about this since I got here,” Martin said “So to finally be at a starting point is pretty amazing and I think when everybody sees the field when they come to a freshman game it will really invigorate this community to continue to build and grow that facility into something of our own.”  “This isn’t just about athletics though – it's about opportunity,” McDowell said “It’s about giving our students access and it’s about giving every student the tools they need and the time – and turf – they deserve.”  We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at webstaff@psucollegian.com or call us at News: 814-865-1828 Business: 865-2531 By Roselyn Gonzalez Crete recently became the first city in Nebraska and only rural community in the country to receive the "Certified welcoming" designation The award is granted to cities who ensure a place of belonging for immigrants and refugees One-fifth of the world’s migrants call the U.S Welcoming America, a non-profit organization, awards the certification to cities that meet the requirements. Some of the "framework areas" to qualify include safe communities is joining 25 cities in the country that have the designation “Crete has been able to foster trust in the community with our local government and our local law enforcement some things that maybe you don't see in smaller communities," said Marilyn Schacht "We've been able to implement some leadership classes educating our community on how local government is structured and understanding those layers of government." Schacht said the process of certification was difficult because they do not keep records of their work in comparison to larger communities that need to keep track of their policies and programs We make sure that we include everyone from all backgrounds regardless of where they're born,” Schacht said “We want to make sure that they're fully participating and contributing to the community.” Individuals who are Hispanic make up about 12% of Nebraska’s total population Hispanic people make up the second largest demographic in Crete a family in Crete was the target of a racially motivated crime The suspect opened fire on seven Guatemalan immigrants; four of the victims were children The community has since been working to recover Anti-Latino hate crime peaked in 2018 as political parties changed and immigration polled as an important issue, according to data by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University Schacht said families in the area feel supported and welcomed they feel connected because of the systems and programs they can participate in She added community partners helped the city receive its designation “I think one of our biggest strengths is those collaborative efforts,” Schacht said ” We may not have a lot of local resources so we really have been able to leverage the collaboration efforts with our community partners across the state.” Schacht is encouraging other cities to apply for the designation to foster a sense of community “We have been given the tools to help our community members we've been able to capitalize on all of that,” Schacht said “I think this has only made our community stronger as we're more intentional about the work that we're doing.” Get the latest from around Nebraska delivered to your inbox online and mobile platforms.Your support is essential (KLKN) – An investigation is underway after police say a house fire killed three people in Crete on Wednesday the Saline County 911 Center received a report of a porch fire at a home near 16th Street and Oak Avenue the Crete Police Department and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office were all sent to the scene they found the house to be fully engulfed in flames the police department said in a press release The Wilber Fire Department responded to help put out the flames According to Crete Police Chief Gary Young a woman in her late 20s was able to escape on her own and was taken to St Despite efforts by first responders on scene a 5-year-old child and a man and woman in their 70s died A relative of the victims told Channel 8 that the couple had lived there for decades and that the 5-year-old was their great-grandchild The neighbor who called 911 recounted what happened and the fire was going fast,” said Levi Giorn-Ortiz The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire Young said investigators think it may have been started by a propane grill on an enclosed porch attached to the house Neighbors said it will be different with the couple not around anymore “We’re going to miss him,” said Giorn-Ortiz who told Channel 8 that the man would interact with his kids “We’re not going to feel good for a couple months,” he said The police department is withholding the identities of the deceased pending notification of next of kin Investigators are expected to reveal more info Friday morning will construct a multi-purpose facility that will allow the school to host more Cardinals athletics events on their own campus.Wednesday 4:46 PM CDTBy Timothy HackettCRETE - A Southeast Nebraska school system will soon have its own space to host athletic events without needing to share fields with a nearby university Crete Public Schools announced Wednesday that it plans to begin construction next week on a multi-purpose athletic facility which will allow Crete to host football track and band events on their own turf - literally One of the largest school systems south of the Metro Crete currently shares many facilities with NAIA Doane University but CPS says that the growth in both schools' programs has caused scheduling conflicts and space limitations making it even more essential for the Cardinals' teams to have their own space to practice and compete CPS is calling the initiative Project Rise Crete Public Schools said the first phase of the campaign will implement new lighting permanent bleacher seating and a press box The full program will cost approximately 10 million dollars Roughly half of that money will come from the district's building fund The groundbreaking ceremony to kick off Phase One of Crete's Project Rise is set for Monday morning We'll have more on this story including video from Monday's event next week here on News Channel Nebraska.  The following is Wednesday's complete press release from Crete Public Schools announcing the Project Rise campaign Crete Public Schools breaking ground on athletic facility improvements CRETE — Crete Public Schools will officially launch the next chapter in its proud tradition of student success with the groundbreaking of Project Rise: Elevating the Cardinal Experience School officials and coaches will host a groundbreaking ceremony Monday The event marks the start of construction on a new multi-sport multi-purpose athletic facility designed to serve CPS students across football Crete students have competed with talent and pride often without a true home of their own," said Dr "Project Rise is an opportunity to change that It’s a chance to create a space that's always available and always focused on student success." The approximately $10 million project will be funded with $4-$5 million from the district’s building fund The remainder will come from a capital campaign.   “We are excited to present Project Rise to the Crete community,” said Marilea V “There has not been a large district capital campaign for a project like this before We believe the community will be willing to support this project because of how many students it will impact for generations to come.”  soccer and track facilities at Doane University But as both institutions’ programs have grown scheduling conflicts and space limitations have made it increasingly difficult for Crete students to compete "There are times we play five games on three different fields," said Matt Martin and it challenges our ability to build tradition." Project Rise will directly address these challenges The campaign’s first phase will deliver: - Permanent bleacher seating and press box These upgrades will allow CPS to host middle school on district-controlled spaces for the first time the Crete community can help create a true home for our Cardinals," McDowell said The vision for Project Rise doesn’t stop with Phase I Future phases will continue to expand and enhance the facility creating a gathering place that serves not just athletes - A fan experience pavilion featuring concession stands and a spirit store "Having our own stadium creates opportunities we've never had before," Martin said and a greater sense of pride in being a Cardinal from elementary students dreaming of their first game to seniors preparing for their final sendoff." By Jordan Howell, News Intern An investigation is underway after a house fire in Crete killed three people Wednesday. The Saline County 911 Center received a call about a porch fire at 5:30 p.m. in the area of 16th Street and West Avenue. The Crete Volunteer Fire Department, Crete Police Department and Saline County Sheriff’s office responded to the scene and found the home engulfed in flames, according to a news release from the Crete Police Department. Crete Police Chief Gary Young said in an interview with TV station 10/11 that a preliminary investigation showed the fire may have been caused by a propane grill on the partially enclosed patio attached to the house. One person was able to escape the fire, but firefighters were unable to rescue three others, who were pronounced dead at the scene. The names of those individuals are being withheld until next of kin can be notified. The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. Officials with the office could not be reached for comment Thursday. Connecting Nebraska through PBS, NPR and original content since 1954. Engaging Nebraskans through television, radio, online and mobile platforms.Your support is essential! CRETE, Neb. — A devastating fire at a two-story residential structure on Oak Avenue resulted in three fatalities according to Crete Volunteer Fire and Rescue. The fire department was dispatched to the scene following reports of a structure fire with possible trapped individuals. Crete Police and Saline County Sheriff's deputies confirmed the presence of trapped victims upon arrival. Mutual aid was requested from the Wilber Fire Department to assist with manpower and provide an additional ambulance. Fire crews arriving first on the scene found the building heavily engulfed in flames. They immediately entered the structure, rescuing two victims who were then transported to area hospitals. Paramedics from Crete Fire and Rescue and Crete Area Medical Center provided advanced life support. A third victim was discovered shortly after and was declared deceased at the scene. The fire was eventually brought under control, and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office was called in to investigate. Preliminary findings suggest that a propane grill on a partially enclosed porch may have been the cause. The victims were identified as a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran, his 74-year-old wife and their five-year-old great-grandson. Crete Fire and Rescue expressed their condolences to the affected family and gratitude to all agencies involved in managing the incident. Responding agencies included Crete Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Wilber Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Crete Area Medical Center Paramedics, Crete Police, Saline County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Fire Marshal, Saline County Dispatch, Crete Public Works, and Black Hills Energy. 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All rights reserved JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, the brand's first ever property in Greece nestled along the sun-kissed shores of Crete' in the area of Marathi near the island's charming town of Chania The property has been meticulously conceived to harmonize with its surroundings seamlessly merging Crete's breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage with a contemporary architectural vision and refined Managed by SWOT Hospitality, the leading hotel management company in Greece and designed by renowned Athens-based architecture firm Block722 the majority of which provide private pools offering idyllic retreats with mesmerising sea-views for guests The property stretches across 100 acres of stunning Cretan coastline on the outskirts of the town of Chania known for its picture-postcard Venetian harbour and close to the pink sand beach of Elafonisi Pampering guests in-house and showcasing culinary diversity the resort features six extraordinary dining venues each reflecting an inspiring fusion of local and international flavours With a focus on seasonal and local produce the resort incorporates herbs and ingredients from its signature JW Garden Guests will enjoy a sea-to-table experience at seafood restaurant Õnalos and traditional open-fire Cretan cuisine at Anoee will serve signature cocktails and curated wine selections JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa fosters mindfulness and a deep connection to the present offering guests a holistic wellness journey amidst serene featuring four treatment rooms and a unique outdoor wellness experience Guests can indulge in therapeutic massages all inspired by Cretan traditions and enriched with natural locally sourced ingredients for a deeply restorative escape a subterranean sanctuary nestled within a magical cave where guests can rejuvenate and connect with nature through private and guided meditation sessions the resort also boasts a state-of-the-art fitness center four swimming pools overlooking the shimmering Aegean Sea and padel courts for an invigorating active experience a scenic 2-kilometer hiking trail winds through fragrant herbs and olive groves offering breathtaking views of Crete's majestic White Mountains and the sparkling Marathi Gulf JW Marriott Crete promises a harmonious blend of luxury JW Marriott Crete extends its luxury experience to younger guests with a thoughtfully designed Kids Club offering cultural immersion and creative programs that ensure an enriching stay for all ages the resort offers spacious family rooms and 2-bedroom villas providing ample space and comfort for a seamless family getaway and a focus on delivering exceptional service JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa offers the perfect blend of seclusion making it one of the most anticipated resort openings of 2025 Hotel website Brand OwnerMarriott International, Inc. 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HER1 comprises prefabricated Schneider Electric modules Digital Realty has launched its first data center on the Greek island of Crete The facility - dubbed HER1 - supports a 1MW IT load It comprises two 500kW prefabricated data halls and two prefabricated power modules Plans for the data center first surfaced in October 2022 “Digital Realty’s substantial investment in our new Heraklion data center highlights our dedication to establishing the Mediterranean as a global connectivity hub connecting continents and enabling digital transformation,” said Fabrice Coquio senior vice president of secure power and data center business at Schneider Electric added: “For many years Schneider Electric has partnered with Digital Realty to meet exacting standards for its data center buildouts globally and our work together at HER1 demonstrates the massive potential that prefabricated solutions present to meet demanding deployment timeframes Digital Realty pitched the new data center as a way to augment its significant presence in Marseille While that hub focuses on the west of the Mediterranean Crete could become a connection hub for East Europe pointing to a growing number of submarine cables landing on the island Crete, specifically Chania, is currently a landing point for the AAE-1, Blue, MedNautilus, and Silphium subsea cables. Vodafone recently landed the IEX subsea cable at its Tympakios open cable landing station on the south of the island Digital Realty currently has three other Greek data centers, all located on the same campus in Athens. The campus was set up by Lamda Hellix, a local operator founded in 2002 and acquired by Digital Realty’s Interxion in 2020 Data Centre Dynamics Ltd (DCD), 32-38 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH Email. [email protected]DCD is a subsidiary of InfraXmedia Greece — When my Greek-American friend Mano Katsompenakis invited me and my family to his summer home in Crete But I was imagining warm Mediterranean waters these were positive stereotypes that got me quickly looking at flights Greece’s southernmost island of any significance Due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean the island has stood as a critical trading hub between Europe And also as an inviting place for invaders from the Romans to Venetians to Ottomans to Nazis but not the most popular Greek destination While Greece’s most populated island may not have the charm of Santorini or the nightlife of Mykonos Crete also doesn’t have the crush of tourists Although Mano did complain repeatedly about too many visitors invading “my island,” it didn’t feel overly packed to me The first thing Mano told us when we arrived in Crete: “Everything revolves around food.” On day one after seeing some ruins (which I’ll circle back to in a bit) at a mountainside restaurant called Dounias in the village of Drakona “The food is all day and you can finish in no time,” I should’ve known we’d be there a while Mano told the owner just to bring us the best stuff he had in the kitchen that day. Soon, plates of roasted potatoes, beef, lamb, goat, and vegetables stuffed with rice arrived, along with my new favorite Greek dish, boureki — goat cheese The food was prepared in clay pots over wood-fired stoves as we sat nearby under an open-air canopy The restaurant owner grows his vegetables and raises his own livestock sad to visit the goats that would soon be somebody’s meal an important lesson for her that meat isn’t grown in the grocery store Mano explained the dance that would occur next: We’d ask for the bill The waiter was not being rude — what would be rude is rushing the customer There’s a discount when you get away from the touristy areas we repeated this ritual — outdoor dining with our big meal of the day lasting hours this leisurely dining can be a bit much (it was indeed hard to suppress my Boston sensibility to rush to whatever comes next) and some Americans trash restaurant service in online reviews for being so slow But if you can learn to embrace the laid back pace I’m not much of a beach guy — I don’t see much point in getting super hot then staring at New England water that’s too cold to enjoy they had umbrellas and recliners at a very affordable price You also don’t feel like a VIP renting a cabana and sequestering yourself from the masses; in Crete It’s also hard to beat a snack or iced coffee delivered right to your chair though we did have some incredibly fresh seafood and the outdoor sofas for a post-meal nap … so civilized For those who couldn’t bother to leave their beach recliner But you can wander through a long-abandoned village and baths without having to deal with throngs of tourists I certainly enjoyed learning about Crete’s history through what the archeologists have uncovered marveling at the advanced civilizations and masterful engineering from thousands of years ago Then there was perhaps my favorite part of Crete Navigating the mountainsides with the Aegean Sea glistening below with each step you can’t help but think: Wow am I lucky to be here And the reward for a hike that goes all the way down is a jump in that warm water with nobody around Lastly, my other favorite activity was visiting the old port of Chania. This is one of those places where it’s hard not to feel happy. As we strolled the picture-perfect promenade lining the Venetian harbor at sunset we took about a dozen photos for our family holiday card each background more charming than the next I’m not sure if Mano was just being polite when he said we were welcome back anytime Jason Margolis can be reached at jason.margolis@globe.com. Home Delivery Gift Subscriptions Log In Manage My Account Customer Service Delivery Issues Feedback News Tips Help & FAQs Staff List Advertise Newsletters View the ePaper Order Back Issues News in Education Search the Archives Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms of Purchase Work at Boston Globe Media Internship Program Co-op Program Do Not Sell My Personal Information With recent projects for customers like JPMorganChase and San Francisco International Airport C-Crete has solidified its position as the only company producing a scalable and commercially viable solution that is free of highly polluting Portland cement 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- C-Crete Technologies (C-Crete) a pioneer in sustainable building materials has surpassed a groundbreaking milestone by pouring more than 3,000 tonnes of near-zero-emissions concrete — which is completely free of highly polluting Portland cement — across various commercial For context, in early 2023 National Grid announced what was considered to be the world's largest pour of Portland cement-free concrete saved an estimated 82 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions C-Crete has saved nearly 500 tonnes of CO2 emissions across a number of high-profile projects "C-Crete has the potential to revolutionize the concrete industry by accelerating its decarbonization efforts The simplicity of the process has allowed us to move through common barriers toward implementation," said Max Driscoll Those recent projects and customers include: "C-Crete has the potential to revolutionize the concrete industry by accelerating its decarbonization efforts The simplicity of the process has allowed us to move through common barriers toward implementation," said Max Driscoll AECOM Tishman — construction manager for the JPMorganChase project where C-Crete was tested "During the redevelopment of the World Trade Center in the early 2000s we introduced slag into concrete mixes to achieve high strength with carbon reduction as an additional benefit the thought of any construction project not using Portland cement seems unfathomable to most of the industry But that's exactly what we have done at C-Crete commercially viable solution that is free of this ubiquitous climate hazard," said C-Crete's founder and president Rouzbeh Savary "Today's milestone goes to show that it is indeed possible to transcend the status quo and build the foundation of a cleaner society while maintaining comparable performance and cost." The Portland cement patent turned 200 years old in 2024 it has been the literal and metaphorical foundation of concrete and modern infrastructure in everything from homes to highways to schools Yet producing Portland cement relies on burning limestone — a highly emissions-intensive approach resulting in almost 3 billion tons of carbon emissions per year today's cement industry contributes about 7% of global CO2 emissions annually The resulting product retains the original pigment of the rocks used without any dyes necessary; it is the first-ever natural color palette for concrete offered in the industry This consistency in color emphasizes one of C-Crete's most important differentiators; other sustainable concrete companies use chemical processes to fully dissolve and transform rocks while C-Crete's process requires no change to the composition of the rocks C-Crete's founder thinks of this approach as similar to how Michelangelo reshaped marble but the C-Crete process pulverizes and reassembles many non-carbonate rocks (granite This results in a more efficient and environmentally friendly process C-Crete not only avoids CO2 emissions in its production process making it zero-carbon or carbon-negative over time C-Crete's drop-in solution comes at cost parity with conventional cement/concrete yet in comparison with these traditional options almost one tonne of CO2 is saved per tonne of C-Crete binder "It feels like a win-win to find a product that is both environmentally friendly and performs just as well That's what we found in C-Crete's Portland cement-free concrete It met or exceeded all of our necessary strength and durability metrics and had some added aesthetic appeal given the lighter color used in our application," said John Haarala which developed the Scottsdale Fashion Square project C-Crete also works with multinational and industry-leading ready-mix concrete partners "In an ever-changing world of concrete construction many are searching for better options for low- or zero-carbon concrete C-Crete is providing a new option made possible through a cement replacement process We have used their product at the JPMorganChase headquarters in New York City and we look forward to continuing to work with C-Crete for future projects," said Michael Zagula C-Crete won a 2024 Concrete Innovation Award from the US National Ready Mix Concrete Association and was the winner of the Build Better Innovation Challenge by Elemental Impact Savary was also named a Top Visionary by Engineering-News Record in 2023 For more information on C-Crete's products, visit www.ccretetech.com or email [email protected] C-Crete Technologies is a leading materials science company committed to inventing building and scaling up the next generation of infrastructure materials with ultra-low or negative CO2 footprints With a relentless focus on environmental stewardship and technological innovation C-Crete aims to address the global challenges of climate change while delivering superior infrastructure materials at scale Nikki Arnone, Inflection Point Agency for C-Crete, 1 (719) 357-8344, [email protected], https://ccretetech.com/ Do not sell or share my personal information: sparked the defining concept behind N’Arrow Mykonos Architects saw not a constraint but a creative opportunity transforming the elongated form of the plot into a narrow wedge-like structure that nestles into the hillside linear geometry sets the tone for the home’s identity drawing attention to the power of architectural adaptation when guided by site-specific conditions At the heart of N’Arrow lies a spatial system which the team at Mykonos Architects defines by three solid walls tracing the staircases that flow across levels while the third outlines the private zones of the home These boundaries are not rigid but intentional shaping how inhabitants circulate through and interact with the residence The descent from entry to living spaces mirrors a gradual immersion into the landscape with the external staircase choreographing this transition the home uses vertical layering to offer both intimacy and openness The first level introduces a shaded outdoor sitting area that acts like a hidden courtyard — part-threshold circular volume that houses auxiliary functions while a sculptural metal shading device projects outward framing views of the hills and softening the sunlight This interplay of exposure and enclosure recurs throughout the home setback regulations are transformed into a guiding principle for the home’s linear form Mykonos Architects employs glass partitions to separate sleeping areas maintaining openness while preserving privacy bringing light and ventilation into the more subterranean spaces Canopies and slanted walls draw the eyes outward while regulating sun and shade The deliberate framing of views through these angled elements echoes the sculptural quality of the terrain itself The third and uppermost level is conceived as a flexible zone — a space that can shift in function through movable panels The line between inside and outside blurs here as the pool and planted sun shaft stretch across the design’s axis linking the building’s gesture to its context This continuity reinforces the narrative of a house embedded in the land rather than placed upon it circulation and privacy are defined through three strict walls that structure movement and living areas N’Arrow is literally grounded in its surroundings through the use of rammed earth Mykonos Architects chose the material for its low environmental footprint and its resonance with the local geology the home minimizes transportation and processing impacts the material choice expresses a deeper ethos of belonging The thermal mass of rammed earth brings passive cooling and warmth enhancing comfort without mechanical intervention Its ability to regulate humidity and temperature is both practical and poetic contributing to an atmosphere that feels connected to seasonal rhythms earthy tones of the walls reinforce the home’s embeddedness in the terrain making it appear less like a foreign object and more like a geological evolution an external staircase choreographs the descent through the home’s layered spaces sculptural metal elements and slanted walls frame views and shade interiors natural light and airflow enters through a central sun shaft and open-air passages rammed earth reduces the structure’s environmental impact and connects with the terrain name: N’Arrow architect: Mykonos Architects | @mykonosarchitects AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Combination of holograms and AI enhances security for currencies As described in Optica the system uses trained neural networks to retrieve elaborately scrambled information originating from a hologram decoding the intricate spatial information in the scrambled images "From rapidly evolving digital currencies to governance, healthcare, communications and social networks, the demand for robust protection systems to combat digital fraud continues to grow," said project leader Stelios Tzortzakis. "Our new system achieves an exceptional level of encryption by utilizing a neural network to generate the decryption key, which can only be created by the owner of the encryption system." Optical encryption involves securing data at the optical transport level of a network, which avoids slowing the overall system with additional hardware at the non-optical levels instead. This approach can make it easier to implement authentication mechanisms at both ends of the transfer to ensure data are genuine. The project studied whether optical information, such as the shape of a target, could be encoded in holograms of those shapes and then transferred via ultrashort laser filaments propagating in a highly nonlinear and turbulent media. This leaves the initial data completely scrambled and not retrievable by any experimental or physical modeling system, according to the researchers. Data scrambled by passage through ethanol liquid The experimental set-up involved a femtosecond laser passing through a prepared hologram and then proceeding into a cuvette filled with liquid ethanol. Laser filamentation and thermal-induced turbulance in the liquid caused the optical data to emerge as a highly scrambled and randomized image, recorded on a CCD sensor. "The challenge was figuring out how to decrypt the information," said Tzortzakis. “We came up with the idea of training neural networks to recognize the incredibly fine details of the scrambled light patterns. By creating billions of complex connections, or synapses, within the neural networks, we were able to reconstruct the original light beam shapes. In trials, the system was applied to the encryption and decryption of thousands of handwritten digits and reference shapes. After optimizing the experimental procedure and training the neural network, the encoded images were accurately retrieved 90 to 95 percent of the time, with further improvements possible through more extensive training of the neural network. The team is now working on ways to employ a cheaper and less bulky laser system, as a necessary step towards commercializing the approach for a range of potential industrial encryption applications. "Our study provides a strong foundation for many applications, especially cryptography and secure wireless optical communication, paving the way for next-generation telecommunication technologies," said Tzortzakis. Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Sharon Singleton 2025 at 12:37 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Samuel N who was reported missing last week from unincorporated Crete the Will County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday IL — No foul play is suspected in the death of a missing Crete man whose body was discovered Sunday after he had been missing several days the Will County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday Samuel Green, 18, was found deceased near a drain pipe near his home in unincorporated Crete, the sheriff's office said. Green had been missing since Wednesday afternoon. His body was discovered Sunday around noon, authorities said There were no signs of foul play on Green nor in the area he was found Will County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Kathy Hoffmeyer said Tuesday Green was seen on surveillance cameras heading in the direction of the area in which he was later found he was clothed in only a t-shirt and jogging pants and was reportedly suffering a mental health crisis Sheriff's police found clear evidence of cold exposure as a significant role in his death An official cause of death is still awaiting autopsy results and toxicology reports Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Turning off the water supply of Voutes appears to have solved the mystery of dozens of deep cracks that appeared in recent weeks in nine buildings and several streets of this quiet village on the outskirts of Iralkio in Crete the cracks seem to have resulted from soil subsidence caused by leaks from old and faulty water pipes running below and through the village The municipal authority has dispatched teams to the area to repair the leaky pipes so that the supply of water can resume and residents of the affected buildings can return home They had been evacuated amid fears that the cracks were being caused by large sinkholes or some other natural phenomenon JB Pritzker speaking during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday A felony charge of threatening a public official was filed Wednesday against Michael Dascenzo, 49, after an investigation by Illinois State Police. A criminal complaint alleged that Dascenzo “knowingly delivered or conveyed” to Pritzker a “threat of having the said victim shot in the face.” Dascenzo was taken to the Will County jail about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday. He remained in jail as of Wednesday. Michael Dascenzo (Photo provided by Will County Sheriff's Office) Prosecutors have filed a petition to deny Dascenzo’s release from jail. A judge has not yet ruled on the petition. The threatening message was allegedly submitted online on Jan. 9 through the “Voice an Opinion” web page on Pritzker’s state website, according to the petition from prosecutors. The message allegedly made a negative comment about Pritzker’s physical appearance and accused him of being a stalker. Prosecutors said the message said, “Leave the state of Illinois before I have you shot in the [expletive] face. I’m on my way to Springfield; you left. One one thousand…” In Dascenzo’s interview with Illinois State Police, he claimed nothing was done about a complaint he made against a neighbor who threatened him and was an associate of Pritzker, prosecutors said. “He said he didn’t mean any harm and was upset about the previous complaint. Dascenzo further explained when he receives an online threat, he voices his opinion by letting people know he is willing to defend himself,” prosecutors said. Dascenzo allegedly told Illinois State Police that he “should have used less explicit material,” prosecutors said. “[Dascenzo] also said he had no intention to harm the governor and he believed he was defending himself against the alleged threats/stalking,” prosecutors said. Dascenzo denied possessing firearms or having a history of mental illness, prosecutors said. Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network