The major tourism investment of HYDRA ROCK AKINHTA Single-Member S.A., owned by Giannis Vardinogiannis, under the name Serenity Village, has taken another critical institutional step. It has secured a positive, unanimous opinion from the Municipal Council of Ermionida on the Strategic Environmental Impact Study (SEIS) and now awaits a similar decision from the Attica Regional Council.
Approval from the Attica Regional Council is necessary because, due to the large scale of the project, the investment spans two Regional Units: the Vlachaika area of Poros Municipality (Islands Regional Unit, Attica Region) and the Metochi area of Ermionida Municipality (Argolis Regional Unit, Peloponnese Region). The project involves the creation of an emblematic, sustainable high-standard tourist resort, as officially described in the SEIS of the Special Spatial Development Plan for Strategic Investments (SSDSI).
Project Size and Spatial Planning
Serenity Village is being developed over a total area of 1,750.88 hectares, with a net buildable area of 1,296 hectares after excluding forested areas and streams. Total construction amounts to 90,701 m², with a gross building factor of 0.07 and a maximum coverage ranging from 12% to 20%, indicating a model of low-density, gentle development.
According to the carrying capacity study, the project is expected to host a maximum population of approximately 2,250 people (visitors, residents, and staff), with a population density of 1,286 people per square kilometer over the total area. The investment was designated as a Strategic Investment by the Interministerial Strategic Investments Committee (DESSE) in March 2025, and in June the same year, incentives were approved by the Ministry of Development.
Two Main Development Zones
The SSDSI plan outlines two main development zones, divided into six sub-units.
Zone 1 concerns the Tourist Resort Village, covering a total of 1,362 hectares, with a net buildable area of 926 hectares divided into three sub-units. This zone includes 64,833 m² of construction with a maximum coverage of 20%. A total of 100 tourist residences will be built, averaging approximately 640 m² per residence, with a total capacity of 700 beds and a maximum population of 930 people.
Zone 2, designated for Tourism Recreation, covers 387 hectares, of which 370 hectares are net buildable. It is divided into three sub-units: Complex Tourist Accommodation (260 ha), tourist villas (73 ha), and dining, sports, and recreation facilities (38.29 ha). Maximum coverage is limited to 12%, with total construction of 25,868 m².
Specifically, the Complex Tourist Accommodation will include a five-star hotel with 200 beds, wellness and thalassotherapy facilities, and 45 tourist villas with 180 beds. The maximum population for this sub-unit is estimated at 670 people, with total construction of 18,059 m². The second sub-unit will feature three new tourist villas and one existing villa, totaling 53 beds, while the third sub-unit includes sports facilities, dining areas, and boat mooring infrastructure.
Sustainability and Local Impact
A central focus of the investment plan, as outlined in the SEIS, is sustainability and environmentally responsible development. Tourist residences and other facilities will follow ecological and bioclimatic design principles, meeting passive building criteria with extremely low annual energy consumption, in compliance with the National Climate Law.
The carrying capacity study highlights local demographic and development characteristics, noting population decline, aging, and the conversion of permanent residences into vacation homes. In this context, the project is presented as a measure to support the local economy and employment, counteracting abandonment and scattered off-plan construction.
With approvals progressing and the institutional framework clarifying, Serenity Village emerges as one of the largest and most complex tourism investments currently maturing, both for the Saronic Gulf and the wider Argolis region.
