Burcht van Leiden castle stands as the oldest structure in Leiden, Netherlands, dating back to 1060. Just down the hill is a 17th-century carriage house that Studio Modijefsky has transformed into Hotel Rumour, a vibrant social hub that can host everything from dinners to private gatherings.
Despite its name, Hotel Rumour is not a lodging option, but rather an elaborate personality created by the Amsterdam-based design practice.
The first thing guests see when descending from Burcht van Leiden is a large terrace furnished with a large communal table and a collection of tables and chairs. Playful tan-colored parasols, pigeon blue metal furniture, and bespoke wooden seating set the tone for experience that awaits inside.
Exploring Hotel Rumour
Inside, the venue’s design concept draws inspiration from the nearby historic landmark. Guests are welcomed by two monumental wooden doors that lead to a vestibule lined with artwork and a suspended light fixture. Original elements like high ceilings, grand arches, and wooden beams are integrated with custom furnishings, lighting, and upholstery fabrics.
The space is an invitation to explore—with details found in artwork around a corner, a daybed tucked away, a mysterious objet trouvé, or patterns on the floor.
Three benches serve as the focal point in the main dining space. One sits by a plastered wall adorned with vibrant artwork, the second is situated in the center of the wall highlighted by framed mirror pieces, while the third is installed below high windows that look out to the hill towards the Burcht.
In a nod to the original use of the building, the bench legs feature graceful details inspired by the carriages that were housed there hundreds of years ago.
A line of custom light cubes—echoing the plaster blocks on the walls’ molding—are suspended above the bar, which delineates the dining space with its beige terrazzo top and beveled edges.
Hidden around the back of the bar is an intimate niche with a table overlooking the square outside.
An ornately adorned hallway guides guests to Hotel Rumour’s top floor through a blue-tiled arch and a graphically finished staircase.
The space naturally divides into three distinct areas: a casual lounge with plush velvet seating, an intimate dining nook framed by a sloped ceiling and pink curtains, and a spacious attic area with a lofty wooden ceiling and exposed beams, ideal for larger groups.
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