Dunepanne in De Haan becomes youth hostel via Hi Flanders

De Haan - The former care hotel Dunepanne, located in De Haan's stately Concession Quarter, will be given a new purpose as a youth hostel. The building, which closed its doors for good at the end of May 2024 due to the bankruptcy of the non-profit organisation Dunepanne, was recently purchased by HI Flanders, the organisation formerly known as the Flemish Youth Hostel Centre.

Transformation into youth hostel

The new youth hostel will accommodate 125 guests and is scheduled to be operational in spring 2025. Tom De Bruyckere of HI Flanders explains that this project is in line with the organisation's mission to give young people access to affordable accommodation and educational experiences. "This initiative reinforces our mission to support young people by giving them access to affordable accommodations and educational experiences," De Bruyckere said.

Municipal support

Dunepanne's transformation is also welcomed by the local government. Mayor Wilfried Vandaele of De Haan is enthusiastic about the new use of the building. "This is a product we do not have in our tourism offer. People who get to know our municipality at a young age and in an affordable way are ambassadors for life and will certainly come back here later," Vandaele explained.

Historical value of Dunepanne

Dunepanne, a building with a rich history, is located on the edge of Park Potinière in De Haan. The property served as a care hotel for many years, but eventually had to close due to financial problems and necessary renovations that could not be carried out. The purchase by HI Flanders means a new future for the historic property, where young people can now affordably stay and enjoy the surroundings.

Future plans

The redevelopment of Dunepanne will not only add a new chapter to the building's history, but also make a significant contribution to De Haan's tourist offer. The youth hostel will offer various facilities to provide young people with a comfortable and educational experience while enjoying all that the Belgian coast has to offer.