Rural Belgian city Malmedy is home to Daft Hotel, a surprising amalgam of music, artistry, relaxation, and creative-class hospitality...
International news
Despite having been opened since 2016, the concept of Daft Music Hotel & Studios still feels ahead of its time. Situated in the Belgian Ardennes between Spa-Francorchamps, Malmedy, and the High Fens nature reserve, Daft is one of Europe’s rare destinations where a world-class recording studio and a boutique hotel exist as one.
With just 14 guest rooms, what the hotel lacks in size, it makes up for in soul. Think a heated pool where you can hear music underwater, a vinyl lounge, a home cinema, a sauna, and a wild 5,000 square metre garden dotted with hammocks, firepits and a geodesic dome for concerts and workshops.
At its core lies one of Europe’s largest residential studios, a 200 square metre live room with eight metre ceilings, isolation booths, and a Dolby Atmos control room that has hosted everyone from symphonic orchestras to pop hitmakers. The entire property is designed to adapt with writing sessions taking place in bedrooms, listening parties in the cinema, and brainstorming in the sauna.
Lisa Davidson