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PRESSRELEASEZANNIERHOTELS1898THEPOST–GHENT

InthemiddleofAugust,thebestkeptsecretofGhentwillfinallyopenitsdoors.LocatedintheformerPostOfficebuilding,alegendaryandmagicalplacewith38roomsandsuites,thisisthelatestjeweltobeaddedtotheZannierHotelscrown,offeringitsguestssomeofthemostbeautifulviewsoverthecentreofGhent.Behindtheneo-gothicfaçadeofnaturalstone hides an elegant 20th Century style decor, enhanced by antique furniture andofferingperfectpurity,ultimatecomfortandbreath-takingauthenticity.

Ghent,CentralPostOfficebuilding–aconversionstoryGhent,1898.ThearchitectLouisCloquet finaliseshisplans foranewbuilding, theCentralPost Office. It is to be built in the very heart of the city, between the ‘Quai aux Herbes’(Graslei) and the Grain Market (Korenmarkt). As always, the architect has dedicated hispassionandhistalenttothisproject-hisimaginationhaspreviouslygivenbirthtotheSaint-PierrestationandtheSaint-Michelbridge.1909. ThenewPostOffice, located in thebirth city of CharlesQuint, opens its doors andseveralyearslater,in1913,hoststheWorldExpo.Ofneo-gothicinspiration,theeclecticarchitectureofthisbuildingwithitsvariousoctagonaltowers, also shows signs of neo-renaissance influence. The façade boasts one hundredescutcheonsandstatuesevokingBelgiumanditsprovincesbutalsothe23headsofstateinplace.Themaintowerhousesamagnificentclockrisingtoaproud54metresinheight.

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ThePostOfficequicklybecomesahighly-frequented location,withpost carriagesand thefirsthorse-drawntramwaysrunningrightbyit.Thepostalcentreofthetownwasbecomingahub.The last service counterof thePostOffice closedat thebeginningof thenext century, in2001.August 2017: 120 years after his final sketchwas completed, Louis Cloquet’smasterpiecehas seen the pinnacle of its conversion. The two upper floors will re-open in its newincarnation as amagnificent and unique hotel, of the kind has not known until now: the«1898ThePost»willnowseethelightofday.1898ThePost,Ghent-theluxuryofanewhotelbuilttomirrorthecityLyingattheconfluenceoftheLysandtheEscaut,Ghentunveils itselfovertime.Seductiveandwelcoming, it has been described as one of the best-kept secrets of Europe. Indeed,Ghentcanbestbediscoveredslowlyandisworththewait.The ‘1898ThePost’ iswithoutadoubt the reincarnationofall thehotels thathavecomebeforeitinthiscityoftheMysticLamb,showingthesamespirit,thesameintimatebeauty,revealingitselfineachandeveryroom.AnodetooriginsEachof the thirty-eight roomsexudewarmth,genialityandpersonalitybuteach isuniqueandhasitsownstorytotell.

The high ceilings and the dark green walls give a specialelegance to the warmth exuded by each room. Largewindows, thewood that iseverywhereandan indirect lightfill each room with a comfort such that you feel at homebeforeyouhaveevenunpacked.The antique furniture dating from the 20th Century standsharmoniouslysidebysidewithmoderntechnologyensuringmaximumcomfortforthemostdemandingguests.DesignedwithflairandaneyefordetailbytheZannierHotel’sinteriordesigner, these exceptional rooms show a rare elegance,reflecting geographical insight and aesthetic coherence,integratingnaturallyintotheinteriorofthisnewhotel.

Theroomsandsuitesinthishotelrangefrom20to65m2insizeandofferastunningviewofthecity.

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To stay in The Stamp (20 m2)with its sloping ceiling,king-sizebedandmarbledbathroomistofeelathomeon the other side of the world. It has a spontaneouscharmand life suddenly feels light as a feather. Thoseguests who wish to stay in a family room can takeadvantage of The Postcard (25m2) room, a splendidduplex with open bathroom on the second floor. Theoldwooden floorsand the sloping ceilingsonlyadd totheinherentarchitecturalheritageofthebuilding.IfyouareseekingsomethingalittlelargerthanaStamp,you canopt forThe Letter (22 to30m2), a room thatwelcomesyou intoacharmingandrelaxingspace.Theauthenticwoodenwindowsoffer a splendid viewoverthemedievalcityinallitssplendour.

Linen-coveredsofasandarmchairs,likeinacoachofformertimesfillThe Carriage rooms that open onto an open living room fromwhere one can admire life on the Grain Market (Korenmarkt).Upstairsonefindsthebedroomandopenbathroomlikeaprivatecocoon where guests can rest in complete privacy. One of TheCarriage roomsevenhasaprivateterraceandcanofferthesameintimacy outside. Ranging from 32 to 57m2, the different suiteswould admirably suit couples with a child. Some boast aRomanesqueviewovertheSaint-Michelbridge.Wedorecommendthatyoupausethereafewminutesatduskwhentheeveningisatisgentlest.

Theloftis65m2andcanbefoundintheroofsofthebuilding.Thisismostcertainlytheideallocationforwriters,artistsandthosewholovetowriteandread.Theroomholdsadesk,abookcase, thecomfortofanarmchairwhereyoucanplunge intoa storyof former times.Everythingisthereforthemagicofwordstoworktheirspell.Andfinally,thelovenest,perchedoverthecity:theoctagonalroom,TheTowerroom,lyingrightatthetopofthehotelinthesouth-easttower,andofferinganunparalleled360-degreeviewoverthehistoriccity.Romanticismisatitsheighthereandwillofferyouunforgettablenights.AstayintimeComing out of the room, how can you not linger in the corridors of this unique hotel?MagnificentperiodfurnitureevokesthegloriousdaysofthepostofficesofyesteryearandliningthewallsonecanadmirethesketchesofLouisCloquet.On the first floor, the open fire of the common area creates an atmosphere that is bothsereneandcaptivating-itisawonderfulplaceinwhichtorelaxorworkunobtrusively.Time

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seemssuspended.Butlookoutsideandyoucanabsorbthebustleofdowntownandfeelthebeatingheartofthiscity.On thesame floor, "TheKitchen" invitesyou to start thedaywithadelicioushomemade,Americanbuffet-stylebreakfast.Oryoumightwanttoorderalightlunchmadefromfreshproductsandeateninadelightfullyrelaxedatmosphere.The wonderful open kitchen takes you right back home. The chef will prepare deliciousdishesfromgrandmother’srecipebookinfrontofyou,enhancingtherelaxedatmosphere.Whether you are a hotel guest or a visitor curious to discover the charm behind theimpressivenatural stone facade,youmight just choose to spendaquietafternoonwithacoffeeorteaandachoiceoflocalpastries.Justtheticket,exquisite!The Honesty bar, specially designed and created for hotel guests, located on the secondfloorofthebuildinginthetoweroverlookingtheGrainMarket,thisareaallowsyoutorelaxwhilemakingthemostofwhatthecityhastooffer.AgenuinealternativeGeertandGreetjeDePaepe,aretheownersanddevelopersofthisproject.AnditwaswiththeprestigiousZannierHotelsthattheyfoundtheperfectpartnertorealizethisaudacioushotelproject.ZannierHotelsisthebrainchildofArnaudZannier,whosedesireistocreateanalternativetowhat iscurrentlyonoffer in the fast-expandinghotelmarket. "Ourambition is toofferanalternativetothemythicalbuildingsthatmakeupthehistoryofthegreatcapitalsandtheboutique hotels that flourish every year throughout theworld. This establishment aims topresent an unpretentious lifestyle. And it is this guiding light that inspires and guides ourvariousprojects.Itisastrongandoriginalbrand"concludesArnaudZannier.ThedevilisinthedetailZannierHotelsaredesignedbyanin-houseinteriordesignerwho looks at the smallest spaces and check the tiniestdetail. It is a vision of perfection where nothing is left tochance. It is a thousand leagues from the standardsgenerally kept by traditional hotel chains. Zannier Hotelsgenerally opts for raw materials, natural colors andauthentic objects. And behind each architectural decisionandeachbitofdécor,liesthatever-presentpassionforthejob.Manyobjectsandantiquefurnitureseemtohavefoundtheir perfect place in the building and the space given tothemjustmagnifiestheirinnatecharm.

It is, quite simply, a new way of living: pure, authentic,returningtoessentialvalues.

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Summary

• NAME:1898ThePost• LOCATION:Ghentcentre,alongtheQuaiauxgrains• ADDRESS:Graslei16,9000GandBelgique• ZANNIERHOTELS:ArnaudZannier• INTERIORDESIGNER:GeraldineDohogne• ARCHITECTURALSTYLE:pure,warm,authentic• BUILDINGSTYLE:neo-gothic• THECOBBLERBARMAN:JurgenNobels,oneofthetoptenintheworld• SYMBOLICELEMENTS:EachroomisareminderoftheworldoftheformerPost

Office• WHAT IS UNIQUE: the tower and its octagonal duplex room with 360 degree

views• RATES:from150€dependingonroomchoiceandseason• WEB:www.1898thepost.com

AbsorbthemomentandglorifytheplaceThatcouldwellbethemottooftheZannierHotelsapproach.Atthestartofeachnewhoteladventure,thereisaplace,asoul,ahistory.Le Chalet Zannier, is amajestic chalet lying in theMegèvemountain,PhumBaitang, is avillagefoundinthericefieldsofCambodia,andnow1898ThePost,theformerPostOfficeinthecentreofahistoriccity,allthesesitesarescrupulouslyselectedandaresouniquethattheycouldneverbethesame.Andyet,absorbing theiratmosphere, itquicklybecomesclear that theydohavepoints incommon. Take their location: each of them,whether it is for its historical heritage or itsnaturalbeauty,demandsrespect.Discoveringthemislikemeditation,agentlediveintothepast.

ZannierHotelswantstosharethesespectacularsites.Fromthe‘LeChaletZannier’to‘PhumBaitang’, fromnaturalbeauty tohistoriccity, theapproachremains thesame.«Tocreatetotal comfort surrounded by elegance and discretion while maintaining the purity of thespace.Absorbthemomentandglorifytheplace»,TheconceptcouldbesummedupinthesewordsbyLeonardodaVinci:‘Simplicityistheultimatesophistication’.

Createdin2011,ZannierHotels isanewcomertothehotel industryandaimstoreturntothebasicsofprivatehospitality,justlikeathome.Thegroupdoesnotwanttobesubjecttoanyconstraintsofgrowthanddevelops throughnewdiscoveries,uniqueprojectsgrowingoutofthepassionsofthesmallgroupofimpassionedpeoplewhoareinspiredbythebeautyoftheworld.NewprojectsarebeingplannedforNamibiaandVietnam…watchthisspace.

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Seealso:1898ThePostFactsheetFormoreinformation:www.zannierhotels.com

Formoreinformation,photosoraninterview,pleasecontactourpressofficer:GauthierBeyaert/gauthier@purelations.be/+32498586573