Welcome to Akinon Resort

About us

In January 2009, Linda and Helge Stokke could finally unveil Akinon Resort to the 500 guests attending the opening. There was a palpable excitement in the air as the deputy major of La Nucia cut the ribbon, officially marking the end of a five-year construction project. The dream of building an oasis had become a reality and they couldn’t wait to share it with the world!

The two entrepreneurs from Bergen, Norway started the project in 2004 when they sold the majority of their business activities to embark on a new adventure in La Nucia, Spain. Helge had made a name for himself as a business savvy entrepreneur, growing his fathers small electrical company to an industry conglomerate consisting of 16 companies with 1200 employees across shipping, electrical, real estate and financial services. Linda, a certified acupuncturist and reflexologist, had her own practice of natural medicine treatments and was the head of the Nordic College of Acupuncture in Bergen. They now wanted to combine their collective experience from different industries with a shared philosophy and vision to create a destination where guests could relax, rejuvenate, learn and enjoy an experience out of the ordinary.

However the path to creating Akinon Resort was not an easy one. It took five years of dust, cement, mud and countless hours of planning, structuring and creative thinking. Great joy in every step forward and baffling disappointment in every step backwards when faced with significant challenges. Undertaking this process in a new country with an unfamiliar culture and foreign language furthermore contributed to an exiting and stimulating journey for the two entrepreneurs. But with an ironclad faith in the project combined with a bunch of creativity, determination and amazing employees, partners and supporters yielded success.

They are now proud to share the fruits of their hard labor with you and look forward to welcoming you to Akinon Resort!

Concept

Akinon Resort promotes a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, striving to deliver an experience out of the ordinary. Akinon means key to living and we aim to provide you with the tools necessary to achieve an optimal lifestyle based on your situation, potential and desire. Akinon Resort offers facilities and services aimed at broadening your knowledge on topics like nutrition, integrated medicine, exercise, coping with stress and personal development. 

We advocate that preventing illness is just as important and a more effective measure than to solely focus on treating its symptoms. Our facilities were therefore designed to create the surroundings and atmosphere to achieve this goal. The five cornerstones of our concept are:

  1. Nutrition – through a balanced diet based on natural food without preservatives
  2. Exercise – by offering a wide selection of physical fitness options
  3. Conferences – by organizing seminars and lectures covering key topics
  4. SPA & Wellness – by offering treatments to rejuvenate, detox and relax
  5. Clinic – based on integrated medicine

We look forward to welcoming you to Akinon Resort!

Akinon Resort Woman

Meet the team

Chief Executive Officer (COO)

Didrik is responsible for the daily operations of Akinon Resort, including marketing, sales, finance and strategic initiatives to grow the business. He has a double Master degree in Finance and International Business from the University of Sydney and a background in consumer products in Norway and the US. In his spare time he loves to travel, play golf, paddle and other sports. He is an avid moviegoer. 

Fun fact: Didrik has lived in six different countries over a period of nine years.

Resort Manager

Rebecca is responsible for the daily operations of Akinon Resort, including human resources, the spa, reception and management of the Spanish customer segment as well as partners and vendors. She has a background in the health sector and has worked her way up at Akinon Resort from a receptionist to her current position. Rebecca likes to spend her time off walking her beagle Medly, read books and spend time with family and friends.

Fun fact: Becky’s dream job was to be a pastry chef until she discovered she was celiac — i.e. allergic, the most common ingredient in all pastries – flour…

Handyman & Waiter

Gustavo is responsible for making all your dining experiences at Akinon Resort exceptional. He is also essential in maintaining the resort. He moved to Spain from Cordoba in Argentina 14 years ago and has extensive experience within hospitality from both Argentina and the US. He loves to go to rock and blues concerts, play guitar and have barbecues with his friends. 

Fun fact: Gustavo arrived in Spain with only €300 and a goal to provide a better life for his family

Restaurant & Hospitality Manager

John is responsible for the front house operations of our restaurant Fusion 8 and will ensure that you’re dining experience is a memorable one. He previously worked as the butler and P/A for Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko and has been headwaiter and restaurant manager for several high-class hotels and resorts. In his spare time, he loves anything related to sports and the great outdoors as well as fine dining at great restaurants.

Fun Fact: John was a professional athlete until the age of 25 and has run both a half marathon in 1h 5min and walked the 800km long Camino de Santiago.

Receptionist

Susi is based in the reception and will make sure that your stay at Akinon Resort is a memorable one. She is originally from Munich in Germany, where she obtained a degree in Management and Administration before moving to Spain nine years ago. Before starting at Akinon Resort she worked at a dental clinic and held several dance shows with her sister. Susi loves to travel, meet new people and to dance.

Fun fact: Susi tried to find her prince charming on the popular TV show the Bachelor.

Technical

Mario is responsible for ensuring that the technical installations at Akinon Resort are working properly. He has a degree in civil engineering from Universidad de Estudios de Buenos Aires. He moved to Spain with his family i 2002 to start his company focusing on water and technical installations. Mario loves to play paddle and as a true Argentinian he loves to host BBQ for family and friends. 

Fun Fact: Mario is a judicial expert and his speciality is construction and technical installations. 

IT & Communications

Mark looks after the technology at Akinon Resort to ensure guests and staff have access to the outside world using phones, Internet and email. He also ensures that all Akinon Resort’s IT and communications systems are working properly. He is originally from the UK, close to Brighton and has lived and worked in Spain since 2004.  

Fun fact: He is a Master Scuba Diver Trainer and teaches people to dive during the summer months.

 

Lecturer

Jens is a heavyweight within nutrition. He has a degree from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London in addition to a foundation degree in sports from Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. He is the head of nutrition at Tunsberg Medical School and has his own practice. He has taught nutrition since 2001and worked with overall quality and personal development in the business sector since 1992.

Fun fact: Jens has 25 years of experience as an engineer in project development and management as well as building technology.

Want to join our team?

We are always looking to talented and driven employees to join our team.

Check our Jobs page Send us your CV