10 Minutes With A Leader: Christina Drakonaki - Lango Design Hotel & Spa

Passionate about creating meaningful connections between guests and the local culture, Christina, the Hotel Manager of Lango Design Hotel & Spa, brings a refined approach to luxury service and hospitality. Under her leadership, Lango has become known for its contemporary soul, personalized service, and immersive experiences that reflect the soul of the Aegean.

Your career in hospitality has led you to one of the most stylish boutique hotels in the Dodecanese — what first drew you to the world of luxury travel and hotel management?

From a young age, I was captivated by the quiet poetry of places — the way a space can whisper stories, the way a scent or a soft light can evoke deep emotion. Hospitality, for me, became the art of orchestrating these subtle moments. Luxury travel wasn’t merely about opulence; it was about the intimacy of detail, the choreography of comfort, and the timeless dance between guest and host. I was drawn to this world not just to manage experiences, but to craft sanctuaries where people could rediscover wonder, connection, and themselves.

Lango Design Hotel & Spa isn’t just a place to stay — it’s an experience. How do you and your team curate moments that go beyond the typical guest expectations?

At Lango, we believe that true luxury lies in the deeply personal. Our team listens with intent, not just to words, but to silences — those subtle cues that reveal a guest’s truest needs. We curate experiences not from a checklist, but from intuition and empathy. Whether it’s a handwritten note tucked into a book left by the pool, or the gentle scent of jasmine greeting guests at twilight, each moment is crafted to awaken emotion. We aspire not just to satisfy, but to touch the soul — to create memories that linger long after departure.

With today’s travellers seeking more than just beautiful views, how does Lango weave in elements of immersive and experiential travel, both inside the hotel and through its local partnerships?

The modern voyager is a seeker of stories — and Kos, with its layered history and sun-drenched soul, is a treasure trove. At Lango, we intertwine our design and service with the island’s essence. From culinary journeys that explore ancient Aegean flavors to collaborations with local artisans and historians, we invite our guests to feel the heartbeat of the Dodecanese. Inside the hotel, every texture and tone speaks the language of place. Outside, we are guides into authenticity — whether through a private sail at golden hour or a spontaneous village feast under the olive trees.

What’s one guest experience at Lango that you’re particularly proud of — something that captures the essence of what makes the hotel so unique?

There was a guest who arrived weary, carrying the invisible weight of grief. She had come seeking silence, and instead found solace. Our team, attuned to her unspoken need for beauty and stillness, curated a series of quiet, healing moments — a sunrise yoga session alone on the beach, a custom herbal tea inspired by her grandmother’s recipe, a handwritten poem on her bedside table. She left with tears, but they were of peace. That is the essence of Lango: not just service, but soulful care. Not just presence, but presence with purpose.

As a leader in boutique hospitality, how do you see the future of luxury travel evolving — and how is Lango positioning itself to meet that evolution?

Luxury is no longer a matter of marble and thread count — it is about meaning. Tomorrow’s travelers seek transformation over transaction, depth over display. They crave brands that reflect their values, places that feel alive with intention. At Lango, we are not static; we are a living narrative, constantly evolving. Sustainability is woven into our ethos, not as a trend but as a promise. Technology is embraced, not to dazzle, but to deepen the guest journey. Above all, we remain human — fiercely, tenderly human — in a world that increasingly needs sanctuary and connection.