Hostellerie Kemmelberg sits at the highest point in Flanders. But the real peak experience lies inside, where rolling hills meet precise craftsmanship.
Discover 5 ways how design improves hospitality.
- collection
Shinnoki
- location
Belgium
- sector
Hospitality
- architect
Interior architect Maister
- application
Wall, Furniture
- date
1 December 2025
We often think of a hotel stay as a break from routine. But what if the design itself actually lowered your heart rate? At Hostellerie Kemmelberg, the team at Maister (now Skinn) transformed a renovation into a masterclass in biophilic design. They used Shinnoki prefinished wood panels to structure the experience.
When you enter a space, your brain scans for safety and comfort. Research confirms that visible wood grain acts as an atmospheric stress-reliever. It links the interior to natural systems, mitigating travel fatigue and anxiety.
Hostellerie Kemmelberg mirrors the surrounding forest.
The designers selected Terra Sapele for the guest rooms and reception areas. Its rich, earth-toned veneer adds depth and warmth to the walls. By leveraging this innate warmth, they created a "cocoon of comfort" that promotes deep relaxation.
The lesson: Don't just pick a colour. Pick a feeling. Use warm, natural timber in relaxation zones to trigger that biological response of calm.
Open-plan spaces risk feeling empty or chaotic. You need strong elements to ground them. In the dining area, the designers used Burley Oak to create contrast and drama.
They applied this bold, dark veneer to the tables and key surfaces. This does two things:
- Visual hierarchy: The dark wood draws the eye, creating a clear focal point against the lighter surroundings.
- Psychological strength: Structured elements like these signify permanence and reliability.
Strategically, they didn't cover every surface. They balanced the bold wood with stone, metal and textiles to amplify the material’s power without overwhelming the eye.
A beautiful room fails if it sounds chaotic. In hospitality, maintaining low background noise is critical for guest satisfaction. Hard surfaces bounce sound. Wood structures it.
At Kemmelberg, the wood panelling in the meeting spaces and corridors does more than look good. It disrupts sound waves. Wood offers acoustic dampening compared to synthetic alternatives. The result? A space that feels intimate and professional, where speech remains clear and noise transfer drops.
Treat walls as functional instruments. Use wood to dampen noise in high-traffic areas like lobbies and restaurants.
Hospitality design often fights a war between aesthetics and durability. Wood evokes luxury but fears spills. Hostellerie Kemmelberg solved this with Shinnoki prefinished panels.
- Precision protection: The surfaces feature a six-layer varnishing process. This protects against micro-scratches while maintaining the texture of real wood.
- Moisture resistance: Unlike other wood solutions which warps, the high-density core and advanced finishing ensure resilience, even on horizontal applications like dining tables.
- Sustainability: The panels use FSC® certified timber and a mixmatch splicing technique that maximises timber yield.
This choice allows the hotel to offer the "heirloom quality" look of solid timber without the high maintenance or risk of damage.
Hostellerie Kemmelberg proves that materials define the experience. Whether it is the Burley Oak tables that withstand the dinner service or the Terra Sapele walls that calm the mind, the wood works as hard as the staff.
Start your own transformation. Explore how Shinnoki surfaces combine the character of real wood with the precision of modern engineering.
1. How do I handle the edges?
Shinnoki offers matching edge banding to ensure a seamless finish. You can choose between real veneer edges for a natural, tactile feel. Or ABS edges for high-impact areas that require extra resilience.
2. What are the VOC emissions?
We design for healthy interiors. You can find precise emission data and technical certifications in the spec sheets available in our downloads section.
3. Where is the veneer sourced?
We remain committed to responsible forestry and transparency. For a full breakdown of our supply chain and sourcing standards, please download our sustainability report.
4. Is there a matching floor?
Yes. Our 'total wood solution' approach allows you to coordinate your Shinnoki wall panels with matching Parky floors and Astrata Slats & Coustics. This ensures a unified aesthetic across every surface of your project.
5. How do I maintain these surfaces in a high-traffic hospitality setting?
Maintenance is straightforward. Simply dust with a soft cloth for daily care. While our advanced finish offers protection against spills, you should dry liquids immediately to maintain the surface integrity.