The perfect balance: classic and modern elements at Hotel Cosmopolite

The hotel sector is all about creating an unforgettable experience for guests. "A stylish interior creates an atmosphere where people feel truly welcome," says Josephine Castel of Castel Projects, specialist in (custom-made) furniture. In this article, we take a look at a recent project by Castel Projects at Hotel Cosmopolite in Nieuwpoort. Here, a thoughtful combination of design and furniture completely changed the hotel's appearance, which has already led to an increase in visitor numbers.

Castel Projects specialises in furniture solutions for the hospitality and project market, both indoors and outdoors. With more than 30 years of experience, the family-owned company offers not only functional furniture, but also customised solutions to suit their customers' needs. "We believe in the power of collaborating with interior designers and hotel groups to take the guest experience to the next level," explains Josephine Castel, who has been working in her father Gracien's family business for a year.

Fresh and unique look

Hotel Cosmopolite, located in the heart of Nieuwpoort-Bad, is a charming four-star hotel with 130 stylish rooms where comfort and hospitality are key. For the redesign of their Brasserie Carrousel and their hotel bar Caprice, which also welcomes non-hotel guests, owner Diana Karapetian enlisted the expertise of Castel Projects. "Diana and her partner knew exactly what they wanted: a contemporary and sustainable interior that exudes class. This provided the ideal basis for a smooth cooperation," Castel says.

The project started with some preliminary designs developed by interior designers Danny Hoorelbeke and Emmely Cloet of Project Five. After approving the final design, they developed a mood board with materials and colours. Castel Projects was involved in the project because of previous successful collaborations. "Among other things, we were allowed to select and supply the loose furniture for the brasserie and breakfast area. Together with the interior designers, the client came to our showroom in Ypres, where we put together different models, samples and materials. This helped them make the right choices," Castel adds.

Phased approach

A major challenge with this project was the tight deadline. Hotel Cosmopolite had originally planned to close for one week for all work, but that proved unrealistic. "Therefore, we took a phased approach. All structural work was completed in one week, and the furniture was delivered by Castel Projects between breakfast and lunch. This required a lot of coordination, but the teams worked excellently with each other and with the customer," Hoorelbeke looks back.

The result of the project is impressive. The natural stone tabletops of the buffet furniture were continued in the new composite marble tables, creating a uniform style in the entire space. Custom-made sofas and a mix of elegant wooden and upholstered chairs create a warm and inviting atmosphere. "The combination of materials, such as the light wood with marble, creates a beautiful and balanced whole," says Castel.

"We are very happy with the result and also get a lot of positive feedback from our guests. This redesign helps us attract a new target group," Karapetian adds.

Visual experience

Following the successful refurbishment of the brasserie and breakfast area, Castel Projects has since refreshed some of the rooms at Hotel Cosmopolite. The owner wants to keep the hotel attractive to both new and returning guests.

"A hotel is a business on the move. Regular refreshment or even a complete makeover is a must to stay up-to-date. I hope we can achieve great things with Hotel Cosmopolite in the future," Hoorelbeke concludes.