A traditional Café in Rhodes

The traditional ‘Kafenio’ (café) is part of the wider reception area of Amada Colossos Resort Hotel in Faliraki, Rhodes. The aim was to establish a modern venue that was reminiscent of ‘traditional’ Greece, where visitors could enjoy their traditional Greek coffee and local products, while creating a classical Boiserie which would “embrace” the bright interior, forming the perfect setting.

Although the design of the boiserie follows the traditional panelled geometric structure, it is presented as a monolithic structure, created by cement. Thus, the final form seems to have been carved from solid rock. An old wooden door, that was once the entrance of an old traditional mansion, decorates the café.

Seventy-eight old kafenio-style chairs, from different eras and design influences, were collected and renovated to combine perfectly with the marble-made tables with iron bases.

The black floor slabs in the venue have not been changed since the early 70s when the main building of the hotel was constructed. They were made from a raw material found locally which no longer exists on the island. So consciously the flooring was not replaced by modern materials, but instead they were preserved and processed in order to emphasize their rough surface and ragged-looking style. So, the floor resembles an outdoor pavement rather than an interior floor. Afterall, during the renovation the aim was to create an old-fashioned kafenio that looked as if it was set in an outdoor square. Similarly, the walls are covered with local sand mortar, reviving the traditional technique and colour palette of the island of Rhodes.