Rotonde (Westende-Belgian coast)
The Grand Hotel Bellevue is a special building in the Belgian seaside resort of Westende. It is popularly called “Rotonde”.
It stands like a beacon on the seaside resort’s dike and is a living reminder of the vibrant Belle Epoque with its unique architecture. The hotel was destroyed twice by war violence, but it survived and is therefore a unique relic from a bygone era.
It was built from 1909 to 1911, based on a design by the famous architect Octave Van Rysselberghe (1855 – 1929). The building had a progressive construction method using reinforced concrete. The luxury hotel opened in June 1911 and had 120 rooms at the time. Princes, kings and rich people from all over Europe found accommodation there. After the Second World War, only the ground floor was used as a hotel. The rest of the building was converted into apartments.
In 1984 the building was protected as a monument and in 1996 the interior as well. For several years now the Rotonde has been privately owned and is no longer operated as a hotel.
Rotonde (Westende-Belgian coast)
The Grand Hotel Bellevue is a special building in the Belgian seaside resort of Westende. It is popularly called “Rotonde”.
It stands like a beacon on the seaside resort’s dike and is a living reminder of the vibrant Belle Epoque with its unique architecture. The hotel was destroyed twice by war violence, but it survived and is therefore a unique relic from a bygone era.
It was built from 1909 to 1911, based on a design by the famous architect Octave Van Rysselberghe (1855 – 1929). The building had a progressive construction method using reinforced concrete. The luxury hotel opened in June 1911 and had 120 rooms at the time. Princes, kings and rich people from all over Europe found accommodation there. After the Second World War, only the ground floor was used as a hotel. The rest of the building was converted into apartments.
In 1984 the building was protected as a monument and in 1996 the interior as well. For several years now the Rotonde has been privately owned and is no longer operated as a hotel.