Source: Fortune Greece

YESTAY Group: The future of global premium hospitality and the Greek example

How the group plans to double its footprint by 2030, strengthening its portfolio of residences, hotels, and constructions with an emphasis on technology, sustainable development, and design.

In an era where sustainability and technological innovation define the future of global hospitality, with experience prevailing over simple accommodation, the model of a Greek group, YESTAY Group, emerges as a case study for the new generation of premium hospitality and the real estate market. The founder and CEO of the group, Richardos Panopoulos, speaks exclusively to Fortune Greece about how YESTAY is planning its own five-year strategic leap and about the new market trends, at a time when hospitality is transforming from a service to a personalized life platform and the “traveler of 2030” is not just looking for a luxury room or a nice hotel but expects experiences, brand consistency, and technological convenience. “Our company’s main advantage lies in the vertical integration of all links in the hospitality chain. This vertical model allows not only for absolute quality control and brand consistency but also for higher returns for our partner investors,” notes the CEO of YESTAY Group.

The investment plan and the goal of 3,500 beds

At the heart of the group’s five-year strategic plan is the expansion of its portfolio in select high-demand areas. “Through the group’s companies, we aim to develop both real estate and residences, as well as hotel properties, with the goal of reaching a total of 3,500 beds throughout Greece by 2030,” states Mr. Panopoulos characteristically. This goal will be achieved by strengthening the portfolio of YESTAY Homes—which is the group’s flagship—in Athens, and with the company’s dynamic entry into top tourist destinations through YESTAY Hotels, which is already established in Paros, Tinos, Athens, and Rhodes. Meanwhile, through YESTAY Development, the group invests in modern constructions and energy-efficient buildings that incorporate technology and design in Greece and abroad.

“In this way, our company seeks to ‘build’ a strong network of residences and tourist units that combines high performance with long-term value,” adds the CEO of YESTAY Group.

However, the group’s investment plan is not limited to real estate development but also includes an ambitious internal empowerment plan aimed at doubling the number of employees. “The company systematically invests in creating a resilient and specialized organization with a modern structure, digital tools, and active policies for inclusion and professional development. Our people are at the core, with an emphasis on education, continuous training, and strengthening collaboration, aiming to unfold their talents and excel in their field,” underlines Mr. Panopoulos.

The urban side of premium hospitality

YESTAY Homes is the group’s main operational arm and the primary driver for implementing its investment vision. With a focus on high-standard urban hospitality, the company develops and manages fully furnished residences in strategic locations in Athens, catering to demanding professionals, travelers, digital nomads, diplomats, athletes, and celebrities, among others. Since 2017, the company has served over 8,500 tenants, while its “active” portfolio exceeds 450 residences, both owned and leased. Essentially, YESTAY Homes combines the flexibility of long-term leasing with hotel-level services, offering a hybrid accommodation product that responds to the trends of new urban hospitality. “The company continuously invests in apartments of high aesthetics, fully furnished and equipped, and located in key spots. Our vertical model, after all, started with YESTAY Homes and includes the identification, renovation, management, and leasing of each unit, offering real value at both ends of the chain: to the property owner and the end-user,” explains the group’s CEO.

As the company’s management explains, for the owner, collaborating with YESTAY Homes results in a stable, risk-free income, complete relief from management duties, and professional, fully transparent utilization of their property, from renovation, furnishing, and decoration to daily operations. On the other hand, the client enjoys a space of high aesthetics that is perfectly functional and immediately accessible. “Thus, a win-win model is created, combining the advantages of urban residence with the flexibility and experience of premium hospitality,” says Mr. Panopoulos, adding: “Simultaneously, we plan to expand into other strategic areas of Attica, with the first stop being Piraeus, where in 2026 we will inaugurate our first high-tech, smart, eco-friendly complex of 33 modern aesthetic apartments, which will offer the possibility of flexible stays, both long-term and short-term leases.”

The importance of storytelling in the YESTAY Hotels philosophy

YESTAY Hotels is the natural extension of the group’s vision into the tourist hospitality sector, bringing the philosophy of urban comfort and high aesthetics to popular Greek destinations. Aiming to create a new generation of hotel units that balance local experience, design, sustainability, and technology, the company designs and implements luxury boutique units with a strong identity in high-demand tourist locations such as Paros, Tinos, Athens, and Rhodes.

The award-winning AURA Suites Paros opened its doors to the public in July 2023. “It is a modern hotel unit in the heart of Naoussa with 8 luxurious suites inspired by Cycladic architecture, respecting the Parian tradition and celebrating the history of the place. For us, every hotel unit is a space with identity, atmosphere, and experience. From the planning and architecture to the choice of materials, colors, and small details, everything serves a cohesive story that connects the visitor with the place and emotion. Through this multi-level storytelling, YESTAY Hotels has managed to create experiences that remain in memory,” adds Mr. Panopoulos.

With this philosophy, the company inaugurated in the same year a complex of 11 luxury villas with private pools on the island of Tinos, AURA Villas Tinos, followed by the Elakati Boutique Hotel, a thematic adults-only hotel located in the heart of Rhodes town. “Each new project is designed to tell an authentic story,” he notes. The next stop for YESTAY Hotels is the center of the capital, where in the picturesque neighborhood of Psyrri, it is currently constructing its first 4-star city hotel. As the management estimates, the company’s new project, the Bellen Athens Luxury Boutique Hotel, is expected to open its gates by the end of 2025.

With a footprint of over 750 projects

With more than 750 completed projects in Greece and abroad—from hotels, residences, and professional spaces to commercial stores—YESTAY Development is the development arm of the group, having formed a strong footprint on the domestic real estate “map.” “Our experience in such a wide range of building uses allows us to respond with flexibility to the modern needs of the market,” emphasizes the CEO. The company undertakes, among other things, strategic planning, construction or reconstruction, and property development, aiming to transform them into high-added-value projects.

Distinctions

The dynamic course of the YESTAY group and its innovative approach in the fields of hospitality, real estate, and construction have been practically recognized with significant distinctions at both domestic and international levels. Among these are architectural design awards and distinctions for customer experience and excellent hospitality services to different demanding visitor groups. More specifically:

YESTAY Homes

Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2024, in the category Best Luxury Business Serviced Apartments (international distinction)
Tourism Awards 2024, Silver in the category Extended Stay Experience
Greek Hotel of the Year 2025, Gold, in the category Best Digital Nomad Accommodation

YESTAY Hotels

AURA SUITES PAROS

Tourism Awards 2024, Bronze in the category All Suite Experience
Tourism Awards 2024, Bronze in the category Hotel Interior Decoration
Greek Hotel of the Year 2025, Gold, in the category Best Suites – Best Pool Suites
Greek Hotel of the Year 2025, Bronze, in the category Best Hotel Service
Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2025, in the category Best Luxury Sea View Hotel (international distinction)
Interiors Awards 2025, Silver in the category Hotel Interior

AURA VILLAS TINOS

Tourism Awards 2024, Bronze in the category New Villa of the Year
Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2024, in the category Best Luxury Villa in Tinos (international distinction)

YESTAY Development

Interiors Awards 2025, Gold in the category Urban House Developing for the project “Dual”
Interiors Awards 2025, Silver in the category Hotel Interior for the project “Aura Suites Paros”