The Ostendian, Ostend
A vibrant lifestyle hotel where contemporary Belgian design, local storytelling, and Ostend’s creative spirit come together in the city’s boldest new address.
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A refreshingly original hotel that celebrates Ostend’s culture through bold design, local art, and playful storytelling.
● Warm, character-filled interiors by BLCN DESIGN, enriched with bespoke furnishings and illustrations by Belgian artist Herr Seele.
● A lively social hub that captures the city’s creative, maritime, and slightly rebellious personality without losing its boutique charm.
A New Face of Coastal Belgium
The Ostendian marks a new chapter for Belgium’s best-known seaside city. As Ostend’s first newly built hotel in more than twenty-five years, it introduces a fresh perspective on coastal hospitality—one that looks confidently toward the future while embracing the city’s rich cultural identity. Located in the emerging Sky District between the railway station and the marina, the hotel feels deeply connected to its surroundings. Developed by Belgian creative agency The Brand Guys and designed by BLCN DESIGN, it reflects the many layers of modern Ostend: artistic, musical, maritime, energetic, and proudly unconventional. Rather than creating a generic lifestyle hotel, The Ostendian tells the story of the city itself.
Design with a Belgian Sense of Humour
The interiors balance boldness with warmth. Rich woods, brass details, textured fabrics, soft lighting, and saturated colours create inviting spaces that feel contemporary yet full of personality. Mid-century influences blend naturally with maritime references, while playful details prevent the design from ever becoming too serious. Throughout the hotel, original illustrations by celebrated Belgian artist Herr Seele inject wit, surrealism, and unmistakable local character. Custom-made furniture and carefully layered materials reinforce the feeling that every space has been designed specifically for Ostend—and nowhere else.
Rooms Inspired by the City
The hotel’s 113 guestrooms and four themed suites celebrate the people who have shaped Ostend’s identity. Each room honours one of one hundred local figures—from artists and musicians to cultural icons and colourful personalities—creating a genuine connection between guests and the city. The themed suites take the storytelling even further. The Recording Suite pays tribute to Ostend’s vibrant music scene with retro studio references and karaoke facilities. The Red Light Suite offers a playful nod to the nearby Hazegras district through mirrored ceilings and theatrical lighting. The Unwind Suite references Ostend’s long tradition of seaside wellness with private spa-inspired features, while the Herr Seele Art Suite immerses guests in the unmistakable world of the celebrated Belgian illustrator. Every room embraces individuality over uniformity.
A Hotel That Lives with the City
The Ostendian is designed as much for locals as for travellers. Its public spaces encourage gathering, working, socialising, and celebrating. The lively hotel bar captures the glamour of classic Belgian seaside nightlife through warm lighting, rich materials, and even a glowing dance floor, while flexible lounges and coworking spaces create an atmosphere that feels open, creative, and welcoming throughout the day. Rather than isolating guests from the city, the hotel becomes part of its everyday rhythm.
Celebrating Modern Ostend
What makes The Ostendian truly distinctive is its confidence in celebrating Ostend exactly as it is. The hotel embraces the city’s artistic heritage, maritime history, music, humour, nightlife, and creative energy without romanticising or sanitising them. International visitors discover an authentic portrait of contemporary Belgian coastal culture, while locals immediately recognise their own city reflected throughout the building. It feels proudly local and refreshingly original.
Why it Works
The Ostendian brings a completely new energy to Belgium’s coast. By combining expressive design, local storytelling, contemporary art, and genuine community spirit, it creates a hotel that feels inseparable from the city it calls home. Stylish, playful, and unmistakably Belgian, it proves that great hospitality isn’t about following trends—it’s about expressing a sense of place with confidence and personality.
