In an era where hotels are no longer just spaces to stay, but immersive expressions of place and time, Parīlio—the first branded five-star hotel on Paros—continues to redefine the island’s hospitality narrative. This summer, the serene retreat unveils an ambitious expansion: an artfully designed collection of suites and private villas, a new wellness space that speaks to the ancient rhythms of renewal and for the second consecutive year, a reimagined culinary concept led by an executive Greek chef who has helmed a two-Michelin star restaurant in Athens.
As Greece’s hospitality landscape evolves, Parīlio remains at the vanguard of a movement that is not just about luxury, but about slowing down, engaging with the land, and embracing a more intuitive sense of time—one shaped by sunrises over amber-hued fields and the salt-scented breeze of the Aegean.
“Our vision has always been to create hotels that are deeply connected to their environment, places that honor Greece’s heritage while offering a contemporary sense of hospitality,” says Kalia Konstantinidou, Group Executive Officer of Empiria Group. “This new evolution of Parīlio is about refining that vision even further—creating spaces that invite guests to truly immerse themselves in the rhythms of Paros, where time slows and nature takes the lead.”
A Harmonious Expansion: The New Suites & Villas
This year, Parīlio expands its footprint with 13 new suites and villas, each an exercise in Cycladic simplicity—sculptural in form, tactile in materiality, and immersive in their connection to the surrounding nature. Designed by the Athens-based Interior Design Laboratorium, known for their soulful approach to Mediterranean aesthetics, the new spaces balance handcrafted furnishings with a raw, earthy minimalism.
- Signature Suites (Eclipse & Iris): Thoughtfully positioned to maximize light, these new one- and two-bedroom suites embrace a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle, with private terraces, shared plunge pools, and sweeping views of Paros’s untamed landscape.
- The Villas (Jupiter & Aurelia): For guests seeking total seclusion, these residences offer a rarefied sense of privacy. Aurelia, a three-bedroom villa, provides an intimate, sun-drenched sanctuary with a private infinity pool and a fully equipped kitchen, while Jupiter, the resort’s largest retreat, offers five bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a panoramic infinity pool, and open-air gathering spaces that dissolve the boundary between architecture and landscape.
Each space is a study in restraint—stone, sun-bleached wood, handwoven textiles—recalling the island’s architectural heritage while remaining undeniably modern.
Parōn: A Culinary Tribute to the Aegean
If the Cyclades are a lesson in balance, then Parōn—Parīlio’s restaurant—follows suit. Helmed by Thanos Feskos, who in his career has led restaurants to earn two Michelin stars and a Michelin Green star, the concept hinges on a radical return to simplicity: impeccable ingredients, meticulous technique, and a reverence for time-honored food traditions.
The menu is an ode to the present (parōn means “the now” in Greek), but it is also a reflection of the past and future—a circular evolution of flavors. Expect dishes rooted in Cycladic heritage, like salatouri, a Parian specialty, or hand-rolled mirmitzeli pasta with Alonissos lobster. Feskos, known for his zero-waste, regenerative approach to cooking, works closely with local farmers and fishermen, ensuring that each dish is hyper-local and deeply personal.
At a time when sustainability is often a mere checkbox, Parōn is something else entirely—a living, breathing example of how food and place are inextricably linked.
“At Empiria Group, we believe in the power of hospitality to tell a story—to create moments that stay with you long after you leave,” adds Konstantinidou. “Parōn is a perfect example of that philosophy in action. Every ingredient, every dish has meaning, rooted in the traditions of the Cyclades but presented in a way that feels entirely new.”
Elios Spa: A Sanctuary of Light & Earth
The expansion also introduces a new spa concept—Elios, named after the Greek word for the sun (ήλιος)—designed as a space of quiet restoration. In a nod to the island’s ancient wellness rituals, treatments incorporate wild-harvested botanicals and holistic techniques passed down through generations.
- A New Standard of Wellness: Four new treatment rooms, an outdoor heated jacuzzi, and an expanded fitness area redefine the art of slowing down.
- Locally Sourced Healing: The spa’s menu is rooted in the power of the land, featuring organic skincare products crafted from Greece’s native flora.
- A Space for Movement: The new fitness area is more than a gym—it’s a place of ritual, with expert-led sessions that align with the body’s natural rhythms.
Why This Expansion Matters Now
Parīlio’s evolution is not just an expansion in size—it is a reflection of a broader shift in luxury hospitality. As travelers seek depth over excess, intimacy over spectacle, and a true connection to the places they visit, the role of the hotel is changing. In Greece, a country where hospitality is woven into the cultural fabric, this shift feels particularly poignant.
“Travelers today want more than just a beautiful place to stay—they want a place that resonates, a place that feels like it belongs to the land,” Konstantinidou notes. “With this expansion, we are not simply adding rooms; we are deepening the dialogue between Parīlio and the island of Paros.”
By June 2025, Parīlio’s newest chapter will be unveiled. And with it, a redefinition of what it means to truly inhabit a place.
