Inteview with Zacharias Chnaris – Founder and CEO & Team Leader
June 2025
In the realm of luxury wellness, Aegeo Spas, a renowned Greek brand, has built a reputation for its authentic heritage, innovative treatments, and heartfelt hospitality. With locations across Greece and abroad, Aegeo Spas exemplifies a deep commitment to blending ancient Greek healing traditions with modern wellness practices.
We sat down with Zacharias Chnaris, the visionary founder and CEO of Aegeo Spas, to explore its inspiring history, core philosophy, and forward-looking vision for the future.
What is the significance of winning the Best Luxury Spa Brand of the Year at the 2025 REVE Luxury Awards?
“It is a true honor,” says the CEO of Aegeo Spas. “This recognition reflects the dedication, vision, and passion of our entire team.” He continues, “Since 2007, we have redefined luxury wellness by blending Greek heritage with innovation, sustainability, and heartfelt hospitality. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and remain deeply committed to delivering exceptional experiences for every guest.” He adds, “We look forward to creating countless more unforgettable moments together.”
What is the core philosophy that guides Aegeo Spas across all its properties?
“At Aegeo Spas,” he explains, “our core philosophy is rooted in the authentic spirit of the Aegean—embracing natural beauty, holistic wellness, and genuine hospitality.” He elaborates, “Across every property, we are committed to creating transformative experiences that blend ancient Greek wellness traditions with modern luxury. We believe that true well-being comes from harmony between mind, body, and environment. That’s why we focus on ethically sourced Greek ingredients, personalized treatments, and a warm, empathetic approach to service. Our goal is to ensure every guest feels deeply cared for and leaves with a sense of renewal, no matter which Aegeo Spa they visit.”
What innovations or signature offerings have your brand developed that set you apart in the luxury spa industry?
“Aegeo Spas stands out thanks to our unique blend of tradition and innovation,” he shares. “We’ve developed five distinct wellness concepts—Royal, Luxury, Thalasso, Mountain, and Smart Gazebo—each tailored to the character of our partner hotels and their guests.”
He emphasizes, “Our signature Cretan Massage, inspired by ancient Greek healing techniques and the natural elements of the Aegean, is a guest favorite and truly exclusive to our brand.” He adds, “We also pride ourselves on our cosmetics line, made with ethically sourced Greek ingredients like olive oil, saffron, and pomegranate. These products are used in treatments and available for guests to take home, extending the Aegeo experience beyond the spa.”
“Our operational model is highly flexible,” he explains. “We offer full spa management and collaboration options, tailored to each hotel’s needs. We use advanced needs assessments and space studies to ensure every spa reflects local culture and international standards.”
How do you ensure high standards of quality and consistency across your spas?
“Consistency is fundamental to our reputation,” he states. “With operations in over 220 hotels across two countries, we have developed rigorous systems to ensure every guest receives the same exceptional care.”
He explains, “Our process begins with thorough needs assessments and space studies for each property, allowing us to design tailored spa concepts that align with both the hotel’s identity and our brand standards.”
He emphasizes, “We heavily invest in staff recruitment and continuous training, so every therapist and team member embodies our core values of respect, trust, integrity, and passion.”
He adds, “Standardized protocols, ongoing audits, and regular updates to our menus and products keep our standards high. Our culture of open communication and shared goals ensures we consistently deliver transformative wellness experiences.”
What sustainable practices have you integrated into your spas?
“Sustainability is a core value,” he affirms. “We believe true wellness extends beyond our guests to the environment and communities we serve.”
He describes, “We use ethically sourced, natural Greek ingredients—like olive oil, saffron, and pomegranate—in treatments and our cosmetics line, supporting local producers and minimizing environmental impact.”
What challenges have you faced in growing and maintaining Aegeo Spas, and how have you overcome them?
“Scaling across many countries and over 220 hotel locations presents unique challenges,” he admits. “Ensuring consistent quality and maintaining our Greek heritage while respecting local cultures required robust systems, strong partnerships, and ongoing staff training.”
He continues, “Adapting quickly to the rapidly changing wellness landscape—especially during recent global events—has pushed us to innovate continuously and expand our offerings.”
He shares, “Sourcing high-quality, ethical ingredients and maintaining sustainability has been a priority, and we’ve built strong relationships with Greek producers. Our commitment to authenticity, personalized service, and listening to guest feedback has turned challenges into opportunities for growth.”
He concludes, “These experiences have made us more resilient, adaptive, and guest-focused—and I believe they are key to our ongoing success.”
What are your future plans for expansion, innovation, or new treatments?
“Our vision is to continue setting new standards in luxury wellness,” he states proudly. “We plan to expand our presence into new regions and strengthen our strategic partnerships. Our goal is to double our client base and increase online bookings to make our unique experiences accessible to more people worldwide.”
He adds, “Innovation remains at the core of our growth—launching new signature rituals like the Breath Aegeo and Divine Duet, and expanding our cosmetics line with products made from natural, ethically sourced ingredients.”
He continues, “We are investing heavily in digital transformation, improving our booking systems, launching loyalty apps, and personalizing guest journeys through AI.”
He concludes, “Sustainability will guide every step—our commitment to eco-friendly practices, community engagement, and education will stay central as we grow.”
Best Luxury Spa Group – Global Winner
Phone: +30 281 026 3700
Website: www.aegeospas.gr