The Ostendian is not just another hotel. It is a tribute to the Ostendians: remarkable (local) figures, artists, successful entrepreneurs, and world citizens who visited, lived in, or stayed in Ostend. Each room of the hotel reveals, in words and images, a portrait of an Illustrious Ostendian selected by current Ostend residents, of whom they are proud.

For the Queen of Seaside Resorts indeed looks back on a glorious past. During the Belle Epoque period, virtually the entire high society from the Western world traveled from France, Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Russia to Ostend. The super-rich, industrialists, bankers, and heads of state were among the regular visitors to the Casino and the luxury hotels of the time. Stefan Zweig described the heyday of the beau monde in his successful book ‘The World of Yesterday’.

Painter James Ensor lived and worked in Ostend, where he created his world-famous painting ‘The Entry of Christ into Brussels’. He even met Albert Einstein there, who stayed for a while in nearby De Haan. Other artists such as Léon Spilliaert, Constant Permeke, Gustaaf Sorel, and Emile Bulcke had a close connection with Ostend. Illustrious writers like Karel Jonckheere, Marnix Gijsen, Hugo Claus, and many others found their inspiration in the City by the Sea, just like Arno and Marvin Gaye, who developed their musical talents there.

Even today, Ostend remains the most visited city on the Belgian coast, both as a tourist destination and as a sporty city, night city, artistic city, and even as a vibrant carnival city.