Accor has unveiled its newly renovated Mercure property in the Belgian city of Antwerp.
The renovation of the property pays tribute to the Antwerp Six, a group of fashion designers who graduated from the city’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the 1980s. The design is inspired by the likes of Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Van Saene, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee.
For instance, the colourful entrance and lobby area is inspired by the work of Van Beirendonck, while the 128 rooms feature wallpaper inspired by Van Noten’s spring 2012 collection. The hotel’s furniture has been custom-made and public spaces are also inspired by the city’s creative scene, with features including leather wall panels and catwalk hallways.
Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast with local products in the inner garden, while dinner is served in the new Lunet restaurant and features seasonal cuisine with “as many local ingredients as possible”.
Mercure Antwerp City Centre first opened in August 2019 and remained open during the phased renovation, located in the city’s Diamond District next to the Stadspark and a ten-minute walk from Antwerp Central Station.
Daisy Tucci, Director Sales and Marketing FLI Group, commented:
“Antwerp fashion stands for high quality, personality, craft and inspiration. These characteristics are reflected in the rooms, common areas and Lunet restaurant.”
Jorrit de Jong, Area Vice President Europe of the management partner of FLI Group, said:
“The magic of Mercure is that it is a brand where the hotel is allowed to have its own unique look and feel, and not a standardised one. That’s why, with Mercure Antwerp City Centre, we can focus on that local connection. We want movement. We want Antwerpers to come and eat at our restaurant and the children playing in the park to come and get an ice cream from us.”
Cristina de Oliveira-Frewen, SVP Franchise Operations – Accor Northern Europe, added:
“We think it’s very important that our partners also see the added value in continuously renewing our network and that the quality characteristics that go with the Mercure brand are guaranteed. We are fully confident that Mercure Antwerp City Centre has a high appeal for both business and leisure guests who want to travel to Antwerp. We are constantly strengthening our position in Belgium. Accor continues to develop in order to best meet the needs of our customers.”
Mercure currently operates 875 hotels in 61 countries.
