Vesper Hotel | Studio Akkerhuis

Noordwijk aan Zee, a popular beach resort near Amsterdam is famous for its sophisti- cated hotels and restaurants on the Dutch shore. Recently, a run down hotel located direct on the beach was taken over by Michiel and Martijn van den Berg. The brothers have en- listed the help of architect Bart Akkerhuis of the Paris based Studio Akkerhuis, in collabo- ration with Miriam Irle and Studio Molter, both from Munich, to transform the exterior and interior of what was the former Hotel Clarenwijck, originally built in 1904.
VESPER - the name means „evening star“ is also used for the moment that the sun sets, the sky turns violet and the stars show themselves.
The breathtaking lobby, whose entire length looks out over the ocean, features a long cocktail bar. The brass and steel cabinet behind the bar, also designed by studio ak- kerhuis, is running from the basement to the roof and covers the entire back wall of the lobby. and continues into the volume of the building. It extends from the open space of the bar and reaches the ceiling above second floor where an 1920’s stained glass roof light illuminates this sculpture. Accompanying this spatial element, a bespoke stair leads to the upper levels. The transparent treads are made out of glass to allow the natural light to reach the lobby and the bar.
All floor plans were entirely revised to allow a generous design of rooms and lobby. On ground floor, the facade was opened entirely towards the sea to create maximum of views to the ocean. The openness of the lobby and the bar as well as the sculptural shelf is vis- ible from the boulevard and invites people to discover this space. It is not a conventional lobby, architects and owners decided to create an open space that works as a café, restaurant and bar welcoming travellers as well as locals to meet round the clock.
The choice of furniture is a pleasant com- position of old and new. Design classics as Egon Eiermann chairs and original vintage 1950’s Eames go along with bespoke de- signed marble tables and Dutch and Danish design. Different colored areas alternate with darker and warmer zones in the lobby to define divers ambiances. Antique person- ally sourced by the architects from bro- cantes in France and Holland completes the diverse pallet of styles.
The 27 rooms are all uniquely designed and surprise with their intense colors. There are blue, green, red, magenta, white and even yellow walls and matching furniture to cre- ate divers kinds of atmospheres and iden- tity. They feature vintage design furniture, handmade mattresses and luxurious bath- rooms. The mostly open bathrooms provide light and spaciousness to the rooms, some of which have a sauna or a complete spa. Special features as flush bathtubs and show- ers in front of a sea view window add to the uniqueness of each room. The handmade beds and pillows are specially designed for Vesper.
Vesper is an inspired mix of classic hotel el- egance with distinctly contemporary energy and glamour. Studio Akkerhuis together with Miriam Irle and Philipp Molter and their clients realized a unique hotel in which the charm of the more then hundred-year- old hotel was revealed through the tiniest detail.