A modern spirit with a sea view
Not your standard bathroom:
Bold colors meet clean lines and gentle curves. This contrast is reflected both
in the tile design and in the overall visual language of the space.
Photo: BLCN DESIGN, Buro Bonito
With
its eventful history, the port city of Ostend is certainly one of the most
important cities on the Belgian coast. With The Ostendian Hotel, the historic
city now has a new design hotspot that aims to combine the charm of bygone
times with contemporary design. The 113 rooms feature minimalist bathrooms and
sustainable materials.
Ostend
is a city full of contrasts: here, rugged charm meets classic elegance,
maritime down-to-earthness meets sophisticated flair, and artistic atmosphere
meets lively drive. And this is exactly where The Ostendian, located in the new
Sky District, wants to come in and combine nostalgia and modernity. The
holistic concept created by The Brand Guys was implemented by BLCN Design. The
aim was to capture the atmosphere of the 70s and 80s without falling into a
retro parody. Warm colours, gently curved lines and materials with retro charm
characterise the image from the entrance area to the hotel rooms and ensure a
high recognition value. Inspired by the classic Art Deco look, this lifestyle hotel playfully evokes the bathing culture of days gone by.
One concept – from the entrance hall to the bathroom
Inclusive comfort: The
accessible bathroom blends seamlessly into the overall concept. A spacious,
walk-in shower with a fold-down seat provides comfort, while grab bars ensure
safety. Warm color tones and the interplay of smooth and textured tiles create
a modern, welcoming atmosphere.
Photo: BLCN DESIGN, Buro Bonito
For special getaways, The Ostendian offers themed rooms, each of which opens up its own little world. The hotel collaborated with local artists to design the interiors. This is evident in the individually designed suites – such as the "Herr Seele Studio" with hand-painted murals by the cartoonist and artist of the same name. The "Red Light Suite", on the other hand, is a tongue-in-cheek reminder of Ostend's former red-light district, Hazegras. Another highlight is the "Record Suite", which invites guests to engage in spontaneous jam sessions with its own recording studio, electric guitar and keyboard. The regular rooms are also stylishly designed with great attention to detail. Red and pink tones meet bold yellow here. Behind the beds, rounded fabric panels add striking accents.
The bathrooms blend seamlessly into this aesthetic. Even the retreat is staged here. In all 113 bathrooms, clean lines, pleasant textures and functional elegance create the unmistakable Ostende style. Minimalist D-Neo toilets by Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly, timeless washbasins from the DuraStyle series and Sustano shower trays made of recyclable DuroCast Nature by Duravit, as well as Madison, the grand dame of Dornbracht's fittings series, contribute to the hotel's unmistakable design signature. White and ochre-yellow tiles, wooden washbasins and tall arched mirrors revive the bathroom culture of the turn of the century. Different tile colours, attractive glossy surfaces and carefully coordinated materials ensure that each bathroom has its own unique style and stands out from the rest of the room.
The decision to use recyclable materials and particularly durable
ceramics is a statement for a future that shows that luxury and environmental
awareness do not have to be mutually exclusive.
