Luring the eye toward a Greek getaway

Vivestia, a bookings platform, is familiar with the extraordinary. It’s committed to renting out some of the best, most luxurious properties in Greece for holidaymakers and staycationers. But at the Villa Rafael, Vivestia’s team had found something that had to be seen to be believed: a three-floor manor with space for up to 16 guests, as well as original fireplaces, movie projectors, and a fitness center. This deserved more than a photo gallery. Matterport’s digital twin technology was the perfect way to cast a lens on such a stunning location, showing potential guests what it’s like to set foot inside. 

From the courtyard and pool to marble bathrooms and an antique dining table (as well as stunning day and nighttime views), Vivestia’s team successfully rendered every detail, adding information tags for guidance. Recently, we sat down with marketing manager Andreas Gkinis, learning all about his use of digital twins for this sun-drenched escape on the coast of Corfu. 

Q: What inspired you to capture this space in 3D? 

We wanted to produce a digital duplicate of this unique villa in Corfu using a Matterport Pro 2 camera, depicting all the fantastic amenities and facilities that Villa Rafael has to offer. Our main goal was to showcase high-quality Matterport tours and let users explore the property freely. Also, we wanted to simulate a dollhouse view across interior and exterior grounds to offer some practical add-ons for leisure travelers, travel agents, and event managers.

Q: What are the ‘must sees’ you want visitors to explore, and why? 

From the manor architecture to its range of facilities, Villa Rafael has many highlights for a holidaymaker. Its late 19th-century design and architecture is surrounded by rich tropical vegetation and an overwhelmingly beautiful sea view. Inside, you can see Venetian-style bedrooms and balconies with native Corfiot elements. Don't forget to explore the statues of Alexander the Great and Asclepius either! On the exterior grounds, we’ve displayed the pool patio as an ideal afternoon relaxation spot to sip coffee and enjoy the Ionian Sea. 

Q: What’s the one thing you want visitors to take away after exploring your 3D tour? 

Essentially, a clear representation of this vacation rental. The mansion’s rich cultural and architectural heritage is something that people from all around the world love to experience and explore in detail. Our goal is to make travelers feel confident about their selection and book this unique villa without any risks or misunderstandings. At the same time, we want to showcase those incredible sea views in the most innovative way.

Q: What are the benefits of Matterport digital twins? 

At Vivestia, we believe that a Matterport 3D tour is the only way to reduce online booking risks by giving travelers more choice and control, as well as offering innovative tools. Also, virtual tours can help users explore every single detail of their ideal vacation rentals. What's more, Matterport tours can increase engagement and bookings online.

Q: Do you have any plans to capture more 3D experiences? 

We already do! Vivestia is an online booking platform for luxury vacation rentals and hotels that we showcase exclusively with virtual tours. We create Matterport 3D tours for luxury hotel chains, property management companies, museums, and so on. Matterport is our strategic partner and we’re going to create more digital twin tours, primarily in Greece and further afield in Europe.