Hotel Blendin Bloemendaal

Since its opening in November 2023, Blendin Bloemendaal has been "blending in" with its surroundings in Bloemendaal aan Zee, in the municipality of Overveen. Much like a deer in the dunes, or a beach crab on the wide sandy beach, it feels like it naturally belongs there. Hospitality entrepreneur Jeroen Postma, owner Arno van den Berg of RH Interieurs, and interior architect Hans Kuijten created a setting that inspires you to explore the vast beaches.

MUSE | JAC P. THIJSSE

A good boutique hotel starts with a compelling story, according to Jeroen Postma, founder and owner of the Blendin concept. For each Blendin location, the aim is to seamlessly integrate with nature and the surrounding environment. Inspiration was drawn from the work of the famous botanist and writer Jac. P. Thijsse, who created the renowned Verkade nature collection albums from the 1930s onwards. Throughout the hotel, guests will find playful references to his work. From the moment guests receive their 'old-school' designed room key, they enter a world of relaxation, wonder, and discovery.

LIFT EN TRAPPENHUIS | EENHEID

“I am proud of the sense of unity that Blendin Hotel exudes,” says Arno from RH Interieurs. “The overall picture is perfect. Even the stairwell has certainly not been neglected.”

Studio Hans Kuijten

Kuijten is a versatile designer specializing in creating unique hospitality and residential spaces. His impressive portfolio extends far beyond the Netherlands, including numerous Van der Valk hotels and a variety of restaurants. Hans strives to create a specific atmosphere with his interiors that complements the project's surroundings. His partner, Mark Smits, is responsible for the execution of all designs. Together they run the company EPIC Interior Solutions.

“The steps are plastered together with the walls, which creates a beautiful architectural effect.” Entrepreneur Jeroen had previously collaborated with Arno from RH Interieurs on the development of holiday parks. The two enthusiastically set to work on realizing the hotel rooms for Blendin. However, Arno noticed that for the ground floor, some additional expertise from an architect with experience in the hotel business would be beneficial. “And that's how we got in touch with Hans Kuijten,” says Arno. “Someone who understands how a lobby relates to a bar, how a layout should be designed effectively, how to use partition walls, and so on. That collaboration with Hans also gave us at RH Interieurs plenty of new inspiration. We presented many ideas to Hans, and vice versa. That worked very well.”

ARCHITECTURE | HARD ON THE OUTSIDE, SOFT ON THE INSIDE

As sharp and angular as the Blendin Hotel Bloemendaal is on the outside, it feels soft and rounded on the inside. Hans calls this style "feminine." He gives us a tour of the reception area of ​​Blendin Bloemendaal, which functions as a reception, lobby, breakfast room, bar, and restaurant. "And that's what makes it so cozy; there's always something going on here." But this also means you have to take various disciplines into account. "Think of a built-in cupboard where you can display the breakfast buffet in a presentable way in the morning, but also seating for guests, storage space for employees for plates, cutlery, napkins, and the like, the logistics of the bar – close to the kitchen – the acoustics, and so on."

ENTRANCE | LIGHT AND AIRY

Interior designer Hans Kuijten usually designs dark interiors. "So this was definitely outside my comfort zone," he reveals. "When I design a hotel along the highway, I want to keep the hectic surroundings out and create coziness through dark colors. But this location called for a different approach. Here, I wanted to bring the rolling sandy landscapes inside. The windows of this hotel are essentially the frame of a painting, with the beach on one side and the dunes on the other." And so Hans opted for a color palette of warm cream and beige tones, with a sporadic touch of moss green.

HOSPITALITY | PLAYFUL

The hotel's reception area – or hospitality space – consists of small "neighborhoods" created using room dividers and pillars. Yet, despite all the dynamism and playfulness, they have managed to create a sense of calm and unity. This is a clever balancing act that not everyone could replicate. At Blendin Bloemendaal, you get an instant feeling of peace and serenity. The lobby, bar, and restaurants seamlessly blend together. "You never have the feeling that you're looking at a large hall," says Hans. "Some chairs invite an active posture, other seating is more relaxed and laid-back – for example, the 'lazy' sofa; in one area you have a little more privacy, while another area encourages conversation..."

Blendin Hotels

Blendin Bloemendaal was developed by InLeisure. This innovative leisure company was founded by Jeroen Postma. In recent years, InLeisure has developed and operated sustainable leisure projects throughout Europe. Blendin Bloemendaal is the first hotel of the new Blendin brand. In the coming years, the chain will expand to several European countries, including Portugal, France and Austria. Each Blendin hotel is characterized by the way its architecture and interior design blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

SHOWCASE LOBBY | ART

Upon entering the hotel corridors, it's as if the animals took a peek during the renovation and accidentally took a bucket of paint with them. Jac P. Thijsse's storytelling is reflected everywhere in small "pinpricks," as Jeroen calls the references. "Subtle winks," Arno calls them. For example, there's the eccentric display case with stuffed animals, integrated with the existing pillars – including a red deer and a fox. This is a work of art by Darwin, Sinke & Van Tongeren, world-renowned for their "fine taxidermy." This brings the local flora and fauna very literally indoors. Also note the botanical print on the premium wallpaper by Arte, and subtle props, including the old typewriters and telephones in the bedrooms. On the latter, you can play soothing sea sounds or bedtime stories if desired.

HOTEL ROOMS | PROPS

Blendin Hotel Bloemendaal has a total of 49 hotel rooms and suites. The veneered walnut wood used for elements such as the bed frame and wardrobe makes these rooms generally darker than the hotel's public areas – but this undoubtedly contributes to the feeling of privacy and comfort befitting a private room. Here too, we see a playful layout. For example, the room divider in the Deluxe Dune Extra room functions as a wardrobe, including an integrated sink and a swivel mirror. The 'gun metal' finish on the taps adds a stylish touch. All rooms are also equipped with a private balcony and a bed from Auping – the largest independent bed manufacturer in the Netherlands.

EXECUTIVE HUB | INFINITY POOL

Next to the main building of Blendin Hotel Bloemendaal you'll find the Executive Hub: a unique addition with three luxurious suites on the first floor. A real showstopper is the infinity pool – exclusively accessible to guests staying in the suites and Superior rooms on the second floor. Here too, a serene vibe prevails – not a single flashy detail to be found. The breathtaking North Sea does the rest. On the ground floor of this annex is a versatile event space. From the Superior Infinity Suite, the freestanding bathtub is strategically placed to offer sea views – so you don't even have to leave your bathroom to enjoy the beach experience.