Escapade Spa-Francorchamps Belgium: A New Benchmark for Trackside Hospitality
Escapade Spa-Francorchamps, designed by Gensler, introduces a new model for luxury hospitality at one of the world’s most iconic motorsport venues. Located at the legendary Eau Rouge and La Source corners of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the project represents a pivotal step in the circuit’s evolution from a race-day destination to a year-round international venue.
Scheduled to open in 2028, the development will be Escapade’s second trackside hotel, strengthening the brand’s leadership in delivering hospitality experiences embedded directly within motorsport environments.
Set within the Ardennes Forest and woven into the circuit itself, the project brings together a luxury hotel, wellness and performance facilities, flexible event spaces, and on-circuit residences to support sporting, commercial, and cultural activity throughout the year.
From the outset, the ambition was to capture the unique duality of Spa-Francorchamps: the raw intensity of Formula 1 set against a quiet, hilly, and deeply green landscape bordering a national park. The architecture is conceived to heighten this contrast, offering moments of adrenaline and spectacle alongside calm, retreat, and immersion in nature.
Architecture Shaped by Motion, Landscape, and Simplicity
Gensler’s design responds directly to the circuit’s dramatic topography, the direction and elevation of the track, and the flow of the adjacent river. Curved architectural forms echo both racing lines and natural contours, while a restrained palette of local stone, timber, and metal grounds the project in its setting.
Charred timber elements reference the colour, texture, and durability of racing tyres, while dark tones allow the architecture to recede into the landscape. Glass façades reflect the surrounding forest, reinforcing a sense of continuity between building and environment.
The design strategy is intentionally simple, defined by a small number of clear moves that enhance what already exists rather than compete with it. This clarity ensures the architecture supports the circuit experience without distracting drivers, spectators, or the landscape itself.
Eau Rouge: An Icon Reimagined
One of two Gensler-designed sites around the track, the Hôtel de l’Eau Rouge is anchored by the circuit’s most recognisable black-and-white villa – an image synonymous with Formula 1 worldwide. Positioned just before one of the circuit’s steepest and most dramatic sections, the villa remains the most prominent element visible from the track and becomes the social and event-driven heart of the development.
New hotel volumes are sensitively integrated behind the villa, with a dramatic double-height bar and panoramic restaurant overlooking the circuit, as well as a sequence of terraces facing the track. These spaces support large-scale events, including automotive launches and Formula 1 banquets for up to 470 guests, as well as smaller hospitality and meeting functions. The hotel building is sensitively positioned between track and river, with 68 guest rooms oriented toward the forest, river, and a central courtyard, offering a markedly different, more tranquil experience from the front-of-house energy.
Gastronomy plays a central role in the experience. A 120-seat restaurant and bar opens onto multiple terraces overlooking the circuit, elevating dining to a spectator experience. Master chefs and mixologists are celebrated alongside master racers, positioning food and drink as an integral part of Spa-Francorchamps’ international identity.
A Year-Round, Multi-Sensory Destination
Escapade Spa-Francorchamps is designed to operate far beyond the Formula 1 season. During race months, guests are immersed in live motorsport action; in the off-season, the circuit transforms into a setting for running, cycling, driving experiences, and forest-based activity.
A key differentiator of the project is the Escapade Wellness & Performance Centre, a pioneering facility that combines spa, recovery, and fitness with motorsport culture. Overlooking the Eau Rouge river, the centre includes a performance gym, spa suites, beauty and recovery spaces, and immersive simulation rooms. Designed as a winter sanctuary as well as a year-round wellness destination, it expands the circuit’s appeal to health-conscious travellers seeking a blend of performance and relaxation.
This layered programme creates a multi-sensory experience where the intensity of racing – engines, crowds, and live events – gives way to calmer moments defined by refined dining, the sound of flowing water, and the changing colours of the forest, offering a deliberate balance between spectacle and restoration.
Residences at La Source
The historic T’Stertevens villa is renovated and extended to include private bedrooms, hospitality spaces, and office accommodation, with expansive decks offering panoramic views to the start and finish line. Further along the circuit, two new hillside residences at La Source introduce five additional luxury apartments, with stepped terraces and wide-angle views that place guests directly within the spectacle of racing, capitalising on the dramatic sightlines while remaining embedded within the green, undulating landscape.
Lasting Impact
By introducing a high-end, permanent hospitality offer directly on the circuit, Escapade Spa-Francorchamps supports the long-term resilience of one of the world’s most important racing venues. The project enables diversified revenue streams, strengthens year-round visitation, and deepens engagement with global motorsport fans.
It will contribute to the economic vitality of the Ardennes region through the creation of permanent hospitality, operations, and event roles, alongside indirect employment across local supply chains. Escapade Spa-Francorchamps represents a considered evolution of trackside hospitality rooted in place and shaped by the powerful contrast between speed and the calm of the Ardennes landscape.
“We are thrilled to be taking Escapade to Spa-Francorchamps, one of the world’s most beloved racetracks, and look forward to a deep and successful partnership with the circuit.“By fusing Escapade’s reputation for world-class hospitality and immersive experiences with this very special location, with its captivating natural beauty and rich motorsport history, we aim to deliver an extraordinary destination for our guests and long-term benefits for both Spa-Francorchamps and the Wallonia region’s economy.“Global interest in motorsport is growing fast, and a year on from the opening of Escapade Silverstone, Escapade’s ability to distil the love of speed and performance into luxury hospitality and unique experiences is proving compelling, with further projects soon to be announced at a small number of the world’s most significant racetracks.”
“The arrival of Escapade at Spa-Francorchamps marks a major milestone for the circuit. At more than €30m, this is the largest foreign investment in our history, but it’s also the first time a private investor has partnered in our development.“Escapade Spa-Francorchamps’ high-end, on-circuit accommodation will be a powerful addition to our offering and a key part of our strategy for 2024-2028. It will also cement our appeal as a year-round destination, increase our ability to host a full range of sporting, commercial and corporate events and improve the overall experience for our international guests.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Escapade on a design with such unique character at Spa-Francorchamps. This project represents a pivotal step in the evolution of the circuit – from a race-day experience to a year-round international venue. From the outset, our ambition has been to create a hospitality destination where the undeniable spirit of the legendary circuit can co-exist alongside the calm of a retreat – a space that captures the thrill of racing while offering enduring elegance all year round.”