Scorpios Rising

Can good design encourage us to slow down? At Scorpios Bodrum, it can. Scorpios began in 2015 as a sophisticated but laid-back beach club on the Cycladean island of Mykonos, before joining the Soho House family in 2019. Now, some expansion plans have been realised with the opening of a first hotel, in Turkey, with the creative vision of Berlin-based Lambs and Lions the thread that connects it back to Mykonos.

“From the inception of Scorpios, we have worked in close collaboration with its founders Thomas Heyne and Mario Hertel, shaping a design ethos that transcends mere aesthetics to cultivate immersive, deeply rooted experiences,” says Michael Schickinger, Lambs and Lions’ creative director. “The design concept unfolds as a dialogue between oriental influences, brutalism and the philosophy of wabi-sabi, cultivating a profound sense of place that resonates with Bodrum’s layered history and raw natural beauty.” Heading into its second full season, the hotel has already won several awards, including the Ultimate Accolade for Ahead Global’s awards, which recognise the best new hotels.

The site sits on a small peninsula jutting out the Aegean, and the fact that Scorpios Bodrum is set apart physically encourages the idea that this is a place to mentally detach yourself, too. It was originally home to a cluster of three-storey villas – an extension to a nearby hotel complex – but these have been dismantled and replaced by 12 single-storey bungalows, with 95% of the building waste from the old villas used as aggregate for the new construction. Istanbul design studio Geomim oversaw the architectural design, looking to vernacular stone-built homes for inspiration and creating 80cm-thick walls for all the structures, made from stone either collected on site or from a nearby village, so the architecture is truly rooted in local tradition.

The bungalows – single floor or with a mezzanine option for a larger group – feature these exposed stone walls, set against timber cladding and neutral-coloured furniture. There are private pools and gardens, and each villa has been orientated to provide uninterrupted sea views.

Throughout the site, Lambs and Lions’ design aims to “foster a natural rhythm of relaxation,” says Schickinger – with earthy, tactile materials, organic shapes and a muted palette, as well as offering a mix of open, flowing spaces and shaded intimate areas. Much of the furniture is bespoke, the product of an extensive research journey through Turkey: “We immersed ourselves in the country’s rich cultural traditions, uncovering extraordinary artifacts, from intricately woven textiles to masterfully crafted pottery,” says Schickinger. “These discoveries not only informed the materiality and detailing of our designs but also infused them with a deep sense of place and authenticity.”

Wellness is a key part of many a hospitality offering these days, but Scorpios Bodrum is an example of how this now extends to mental and even spiritual wellness, not just physical. The site includes a ‘ritual space’, a multipurpose building that can be used for various forms of gathering, from concerts and performances to a private wedding ceremony.

As a piece of architecture it embodies the idea of looking inward, the opposite of the seaward-facing bungalows: it is temple-like, embedded into a slope, with few side openings but a spectacular cassette roof that brings in fresh air and filter the light in the most magical (even mystical) way. Additionally, “narrow corridors and small courtyards establish a hierarchy of spaces, transitioning from intimate, meditative wellness areas to open views. In this way, the architecture merges design with spirituality,” says Ali Çalışkan, founder of Geomim.

“The concept of a ‘ritual space’ – not only with its design but also with its programme – is a new typology for the hospitality industry,” continues Çalışkan, “and although we have extensive knowledge in wellness spaces via our hospitality projects, this design was a new experience.”

One of Scorpios’ original aims in Mykonos was to create a place of gathering and shared connection, and the ritual space follows that to its natural conclusion. The same idea is elsewhere too, in the large open-air terraces, two restaurants and sunset lounge bar. For some conscious retail therapy, there’s also a bazaar selling a selection of hand-picked brands that align with the Scorpios philosophy, from Greek eyewear from Las Gafas to essential oils from Berlin by Ryoko.

Another Scorpios is on the way in and Dubai, with Lambs and Lions on board for continuity across the brand’s aesthetic. “We believe that good design has the power to shape human experience, encouraging a sense of slowness, mindfulness and nourishment – both physically and emotionally,” says Lambs and Lions’ Michael Schickinge. “At Scorpios, this philosophy is embedded in every detail, from the harmonious interplay of colours, textures and forms to the thoughtful spatial arrangements that invite introspection and connection.”