Six Senses Petalioi: Gaining Approvals, but the Road Ahead Is Long

The Strategic Environmental Impact Study (SEIS) for Grivalia Hospitality’s investment on the Petalioi islands of Evia has received the green light from both the Region of Central Greece and the Karystos Municipal Council.

This concerns the Six Senses resort in what is being dubbed the “Greek Maldives”—a project with a total budget exceeding €224 million, developed by the subsidiary “GH HOTEL HOTEL & TOURIST SINGLE-MEMBER S.A.” The project has been classified as a Strategic Investment by the Interministerial Committee.

Six Senses Enters Greece with a Focus on Sustainability
Grivalia Hospitality has signed a management agreement with the internationally recognized brand Six Senses for this project. The resort will be named “Six Senses Megalonisos,” marking the brand’s debut in Greece and adding an eco-conscious ultra-luxury destination to its global portfolio.

The development will span 561 acres in the southern part of Megalonisos—the largest island in the Petalioi complex, within the Municipality of Karystos. The plan includes:

A 5-star luxury hotel complex with 75 ground-level hotel villas

20 private vacation residences with pools

Wellness, culinary, sports, and leisure facilities

Retail areas and accommodation for staff

A 3 MWp photovoltaic park

A small marina for servicing boats

The aim is to create a model sustainable resort incorporating principles of environmental responsibility, bioclimatic architecture, and harmony with the natural landscape—gently utilizing an area of high environmental value.

Environmental and Urban Planning Constraints
The approved SEIS outlines a strict framework of regulations to ensure environmental protection and appropriate land use. These include:

Building coefficient of 0.05

Maximum total buildable area: 23,901 sq.m.

Maximum capacity: 558 people

Prohibition of construction in forested and protected coastal zones

Minimum 50 meters distance from the shoreline, 10 meters from forest areas

Maximum building height: 7.5 meters

The study also includes specific measures for protecting streams and the coastal front, with a strong focus on energy self-sufficiency and the use of local natural materials. All facilities will follow bioclimatic design principles, ensuring visual and functional integration with the landscape.

Farm and Wellness Experiences
Beyond the hotel core, the investment includes a model farm to support the resort’s gastronomy, highlight local production, and offer wellness and experiential tourism opportunities. The farm will function as an educational and productive center, emphasizing the connection between tourism, agriculture, and the Mediterranean diet.

Two Years of Licensing—At Best
Despite the initial approvals, implementation of the project is not immediate. Approval of the SEIS is a major step—it is a binding administrative act for the Planning Authority and comes with strict monitoring requirements and environmental safeguards. The next steps include:

Approval of the Special Urban Plan

Issuance of a Presidential Decree

Approval of the Development Plan by the Council of State

According to Grivalia Hospitality management, the licensing process will take approximately two years before construction can begin. This timeline reflects the complexity and duration of procedures even for mature investments—despite their Strategic Investment status.

A Strategic Bet for Southern Evia’s Tourism
Despite the challenges and requirements, the local community views the project positively. It’s expected to boost employment and put Southern Evia on the international luxury tourism map. The Regional Council of Central Greece described the project as a “model for tourism development with a low environmental footprint,” emphasizing its role in diversifying the tourism product and reducing seasonality.

However, as often occurs with large-scale tourism projects in sensitive ecosystems, the real challenge lies not only in securing permits but also in maintaining the delicate balance between development and preservation of the area’s natural and cultural identity.

What follows will be determined across multiple fronts—legal, environmental, political—but also by Grivalia Hospitality’s ability to deliver a project that meets the high standards of the Six Senses brand and the expectations of a local community seeking opportunity without sacrificing its identity.