Context

WeWantMore reimagined the breakfast area of Novotel Brussels as a welcoming, detail driven space rooted in the hotel’s family focused identity and its setting near Brussels’ Grand Place. Just steps away, the iconic Flower Carpet transforms the square into a vivid, temporary artwork every two years. This became a natural point of reference for the redesign, allowing the breakfast area to feel distinctly Brussels while complementing the hotel’s recently renovated lobby and Novotel’s signature simplicity.

The brief called for a multifunctional breakfast area that could seamlessly transform into an evening event venue, later branded as Zinnia. The space needed to remain clean, intuitive, and flexible, with room for strollers, clear circulation toward the buffet, and adaptable furniture layouts. An existing podium was retained to preserve the large windows and guide guests naturally from the entrance toward the buffet.

Design Challenges

The main challenge lay in balancing playfulness with sophistication while accommodating heavy daily use and evening events. Materials needed to be durable yet expressive, and the design had to work within existing constraints such as fixed columns, a podium, and strict flooring requirements. Ensuring the kids’ corner felt fully integrated into the overall design language was equally important.

“WeWantMore transformed our breakfast area into a space that delivers real business impact. Morning operations are now clearer and more efficient, the space transitions effortlessly into an event venue, and it generates incremental revenue through Zinnia. Most importantly, the redesign has led to a measurable increase in our RPS (reputation performance score)  scores related to the breakfast experience—proving that strong design directly enhances both guest satisfaction and performance. This is flexibility that truly pays off.”

— Rémy Merckx, Vice President of Operations at WiZiU

Design Solutions

Building on the visual language of the Flower Carpet, WeWantMore translated its layered, in-progress nature into a design language that feels gradually coloured in through bold pops of colour across the space. A neutral, gothic inspired backdrop of soft greys, arches, and golden accents reflects the surrounding architecture of the Grand Place, while vivid floral colour pops animate the interior.

Organic lines and controlled colour accents introduce warmth while preserving clarity and flow. Seating is designed to flex between family use and events, with larger banquettes featuring soft corners and loose furniture that can be easily reconfigured. Above, petal shaped ceiling elements and saucer shaped lights made from recycled materials soften the atmosphere while improving acoustics. 

Artworks follow the rhythm of the arched windows, framing floral compositions that appear mid creation behind cathedral glass. At the buffet and host stand, 3D printed floral legs add a tactile, crafted detail, while flower-embellished curtains close off the kitchen and transform the buffet counters into a bar.

The redesigned breakfast area is a cohesive and flexible environment that evolves throughout the day, creating a space that transitions effortlessly from family focused mornings to evening events.