THE STORY: How might you define The Ostendian? Fully and unapologetically inspired by the coastal city of Ostend – from the pillowcases under your head down to your toes! As the lobby’s spectacular cinema-inspired signage suggests, the whole city comes to put on a show in this creation by the C-Hôtels chain, with sleek art direction by Dries Henau and Yuri Vandenbogaerde of The Brand Guys agency and BLCN studio. From morning to night, wander through rooms named after figures with some connection to the city (Arno, Léon Spillaert, James Ensor, Marvin Gaye), get some shut eye in the cozy bedrooms or one of four thematic suites (centered around the local music scene, the Hazegras red-light district, thalassotherapy and art), chill in the cocktail bar or glide across the velvet-draped ballroom – all within an immersive, augmented-reality take on this singular seaside town. And better yet, experience the sea IRL, thanks to the ideal location of this Wes Anderson-esque spot, just a stone’s throw from the beach and within easy reach of both the train station and the harbor. Double rooms start at €94 a night. // Jean-Pierre Kiroule
TOILETRIES: The Ostendian brand body wash and shampoo.
BREAKFAST: €25 for the buffet featuring fresh and local products (open to non-guests as well), including various breads, croissants, yogurts, cereals, fruit salad, and a selection of cheese and charcuterie.
LITTLE LUXURY: Enjoy the Unwind Suite – an ode to Ostend’s thalassotherapy heritage, dreamt up to be the ultimate relaxing getaway, from the jacuzzi and the king-size bed to the sauna and the in-room cryotherapy experience.
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