Metaxa Hospitality Group celebrates 50 years of history at the “Mikis Theodorakis” Convention Center of Creta Maris Resort – where it all began
On the evening of October 10th, the Metaxa Hospitality Group marked its 50-year anniversary at the “Mikis Theodorakis” Convention Center of Creta Maris Resort — the very place where the journey began. The evening unfolded with emotion, music, and a deep sense of community, as partners, friends, and employees came together to honor a path that started in 1975 with Nikos and Theano Metaxa.
Mr. Andreas Metaxas, CEO of the Group, reflected on the journey of a family that stayed true to the values of Greek hospitality, while also embracing a new chapter: that of regenerative hospitality — a philosophy that reconnects hospitality with land, sustainability, and people.
In his moving speech, he described hospitality as “a journey that started with a dream and has now lasted 50 years.” As he said, “Since 1975, we have been faithfully serving Greek hospitality, with dedication to offering authentic and high-quality experiences that touch people’s hearts and help them truly connect with the place and its people.”
Looking back at the Group’s roots, Mr. Metaxas spoke emotionally about his father, who envisioned a hotel that would be “a microcosm of Crete – with warm-hearted people, local products, and experiences that honor the traditions and architecture of the island.” He recalled how, during the construction of the first hotel, Creta Maris, his father asked his mother to plant in every garden the same plants one would find in a traditional Cretan courtyard.
Paying tribute to his mother, Mr. Metaxas said that “she always supported my father in a meaningful and graceful way. With her deep knowledge and love for folk tradition and the herbs of Crete, she left her own mark, which has brought us to where we are today.”
Quoting Nikos Kazantzakis, he added: “In my life, the greatest benefactors have been journeys and dreams.”
“For us, hospitality is a journey that began as a dream — and continues to inspire us 50 years later.”
The land as a source of life and hospitality
The Group’s vision for regenerative agriculture is already being implemented in the Lassithi Plateau, where it collaborates with local farmers who cultivate using regenerative methods. In just two years, 40 acres of land have been restored, and 50 tons of fruits and vegetables have been delivered to the Group’s hotels in Crete and Santorini. This initiative directly connects local production with hospitality, supporting the primary sector and creating a sustainable cycle of prosperity.
At the same time, through the “Sustainable Hotel Agriculture” program, 75 varieties of organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs are cultivated in the hotel gardens, producing 6.8 tons annually. These cultivated areas have already been certified by DIO under the O.R.A. standard — a first for the Greek hotel sector.
People at the heart of hospitality
For Metaxa Hospitality Group, hospitality is not a service — it’s a relationship. More than half of the Group’s employees are women, while women also hold 67% of managerial positions in Central Services. In 2024 alone, more than 16,000 hours of training were delivered to staff, supporting an environment of equal opportunity, transparency, and career development.
In addition, the “Sustainable Procurement” program strengthens local production, with 90% of suppliers being Greek businesses that are trained to adopt ESG practices and gradually align with the Group’s sustainability standards.
From Creta Maris to Santorini and into the future
From its first property, Creta Maris Resort in Hersonissos, to the Santo Collection Resorts & Villas in Santorini, the Group has evolved into an ecosystem of luxury and authentic hospitality. Today, it operates over 1,100 rooms across three flagship resorts and is moving forward with new investments, such as the landmark Cape Tholos in Kavousi, Ierapetra — a project expected to mark a new era for Cretan tourism.
Meanwhile, Creta Maris is entering a large-scale renovation phase aimed at elevating the guest experience and integrating sustainable technologies across all hotel operations.
A family legacy
One of the most emotional moments of the celebration was the tribute to Nikos Metaxas’ 1998 donation to the Greek state: his unique collection of 2,229 Minoan seal stones, now a cultural treasure of Crete. This gesture exemplifies the family’s spirit of giving — not only to tourism, but also to Greek culture and heritage.
Accompanied by music from Nina Mazani, Hector Kyriakou, and the vocal ensemble “Phonodia,” the evening of October 10th honored more than the Group’s milestone anniversary. It became a celebration of land, people, and the future of Greek hospitality — a future the Metaxa Hospitality Group continues to shape, while always honoring its past.
