Platinum Winner of the Architecture & Design Collection Awards 2023

Craves / Le Conteur / Scene Bar

Interior Design
Hotel & Hospitality Interiors

Architect / Designer:

SZ Design

Studio:

SZ Design

Copyright:

Robin Joris Dullers / Michel Verpooten

Country:

Netherlands

Craves Hotel, a boutique haven with 59 rooms, redefines luxury in the heart of Brussels near the Grand Place. Designed by SZ Design, the hotel pays homage to the early 1900s with an experiential concept centered around the five senses. The dark and opulent aesthetic transports guests to the Burlesque-era, featuring lavish velvet furnishings and art-deco interiors.

Each of the 59 rooms, categorized as “Petite Craves,” “Superior Craves,” and “Deluxe Craves,” boasts a sumptuous navy velvet bed, marble surfaces, brass accents, and vintage accessories. The hotel’s signature “Family Suite” accommodates up to four guests. Le Conteur, the hotel’s ground-floor restaurant, offers an intimate dining experience inspired by a best friend’s wedding, featuring burnt orange and mustard yellow hues, wooden furnishings with gold accents, and a lively bistro atmosphere.

Le Conteur introduces a sophisticated dining experience to Brussels, blending cosmopolitan energy with contemporary Levantine cuisine. The warm palette, checkered flooring, and Mediterranean flora create an inviting atmosphere. The cocktail bar, with a fusion of European and Levantine influences, complements the open kitchen showcasing locally sourced ingredients. Le Conteur promises a stimulating and diverse palette, making it a culinary gem in the city’s dining landscape.

Recently added to the venue, Scene Bar offers a unique and luxurious nightlife experience. The 350 m2 space accommodates 85 seated guests and 50 standing, providing a lavish setting where historical charm meets contemporary flair.

The ambiance of Scene Bar is a captivating interplay of blue and red hues, mid-century design elements, glossy chandeliers, and sumptuous vintage decor. Until 23:00, the bar tantalizes patrons with small bites of Israeli cuisine and Instagram-worthy cocktails. After 23:00, the focus shifts to music, creating a dynamic and lively atmosphere with vocal, house, and disco tunes.

Scene Bar isn’t just a venue; it’s an adventure. Access involves traversing a leopard-themed smoke tunnel and navigating a door adorned with numerous handles. A mask shop, a concealed smoking area with a covert bar, and immersive restrooms with numerous eye holes add layers of excitement and surprise.

Craves, Le Conteur, and Scene Bar collectively offer an unparalleled experience in the heart of Brussels. From the sensory indulgence at Craves Hotel to the culinary excellence at Le Conteur and the immersive adventure at Scene Bar, this trio promises a truly exceptional stay, dining, and nightlife adventure in the vibrant urban landscape of Brussels Centre.

SZ Design

The studio offers design, investment, and development services for hospitality projects worldwide. Following a successful career of over a decade in the capital markets, Saar Zafrir switched gears and followed his passion for design and hospitality development. An interior designer at heart, Zafrir’s studio manages projects from A to Z, from concept to design, to purchasing and construction. The studio has been responsible for the design of over 60 hotels globally, including Sir Savigny Berlin, Provocateur Berlin, Brown Beach House Croatia, Max Brown Hotels, The ReMiX Hotel in Paris, and the Galei Kinneret Hotel in Israel. Acknowledged internationally for his contribution to the world of hospitality design, Saar Zafrir was awarded the German Design award for Excellent Communications Design & Interior Architecture for the Provocateur Berlin project and has received recognition in the world’s leading media, including Architectural Digest, The New York Times and Conde Nast Traveller.

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