What if we took you on a little trip? Head to Bali, to the lively district of Canggu. Here, just a few steps from the beach where experienced surfers flock, Ozlem Esen has created the Corduroy Hotel. An unusual place with a fascinating design. Meet its owner and designer: Ozlem Esen.
Two years ago, Ozlem Esen set out to transform an old Balinese surf camp into an intimate and relaxed luxury hotel, mixing the aesthetics of rock’n’roll, hip hop, and fashion to create the Corduroy Hotel.
Located in Canggu – Bali’s lively and trendy district –, a few minutes’ walk from Echo Beach, the Corduroy is a confidential hotel that was recommended to us by Erin Wasson – a famous top model, passionate about design and friend of Ozlem Esen. On the occasion of a trip to Bali after which we published our address book, we had the pleasure of meeting this creative and generous personality.
Meet a fascinating woman who has managed to mix different aesthetic universes by playing with numerous references borrowed from music and fashion, while keeping a special attention to the small details of everyday life. Ozlem Esen tells us how the Corduroy Hotel was born.
We have chosen to offer you the original version of the interview first. But, don’t worry for those who prefer French to English, the translated version is just below. Enjoy reading!
OZLEM ESEN
Owner and designer of The Corduroy Hotel Canggu
INTERVIEW
Clara: Since when have you lived in Bali and when did you open the hotel?
Ozlem: I’ve been in Bali for over 16 years, since back when Canggu was just a cow patch and hard to find through the jungle.
I purchased the hotel at the end of 2022—it was a rundown, abandoned surf camp with no second floor, practically falling apart. I spent almost a year rebuilding it from the ground up, creating furniture pieces and putting together the entire aesthetics.
By the end of 2023, the renovations were complete, and I opened the hotel about 11 months after purchasing it.
Clara: How has your experience with fashion influenced the hotel’s design?
Ozlem: Music and fashion have always been in my blood from a young age, shaping my sense of style and design. Having been involved in both industries I’d say music has influenced me by opening me up to different mediums, emotions, and expressions, which I’ve tried to encompass in curated corners throughout the hotel.
When designing it, I aimed to create a space where each area evokes a sensory moment—where guests can feel the blend of rock and roll, hip-hop, and fashion.
I wanted the hotel to feel like an explosion of different eras, with nostalgic vibes fused with modern touches, creating an eclectic atmosphere. This mix of colors, textures, and materials all comes together to give my guests a unique experience that connects the past and present, much like music and fashion do for me.
Clara: Did you have other influences and inspirations?
Ozlem: I find inspiration in every part and moment of life, with my two little girls at the very top Seeing the world through their eyes and wanting them to be proud of their mother guides everything single thing I do.
I’m forever inspired by the little details that surround us—the way someone walks, carries a handbag, or ties a scarf. How someone serves me a tea, the way someone sits down this is all art to me these are the things that inspire me.
Lately, nature has been a huge influence, the color and shape of a leaf a flower…this all played a part especially in designing this hotel, where I worked to preserve as much of the natural landscape as possible. My creative drive also extends to finishing a movie I’ve been working on, launching my podcast, The Lounge Sessions , painting, and staying true to what makes me smile.
Clara: What experience did you want to create for the visitors?
Ozlem: My aim was always a very organic process. I wanted people to walk in and immediately feel connected to the trees, the scents, and have all their senses heightened. More than anything, I wanted it to be a gathering place for like-minded creatives—musicians, artists, poets, and writers—to come together, share beautiful conversations, and feel as though time simply slipped by within these walls.
It truly warms my heart when guests tell me they couldn’t bring themselves to leave because of the unique energy here. That sense of connection and inspiration is exactly what I always wanted to create for myself and for others traveling through.
The French version below:
OZLEM ESEN
Owner and designer of The Corduroy Hotel Canggu
INTERVIEW
Clara: How long have you lived in Bali?
Ozlem: I’ve been in Bali for over 16 years, since back when Canggu was just a cow patch and hard to find through the jungle.
I purchased the hotel at the end of 2022—it was a rundown, abandoned surf camp with no second floor, practically falling apart. I spent almost a year rebuilding it from the ground up, creating furniture pieces and putting together the entire aesthetics.
By the end of 2023, the renovations were complete, and I opened the hotel about 11 months after purchasing it.
Clara: How did your experiences in fashion and music influence you in the realization of the hotel?
Ozlem: I have had music and fashion in my blood since I was very young, my sense of style and design comes from there. Having worked in both sectors, I would say that music has influenced me by opening me up to different mediums, emotions and expressions, which I have tried to spread throughout the hotel through curated spaces.
When designing it, my goal was to create a place where each space evokes a sensory moment, where guests can feel the mix of rock and roll, hip-hop and fashion.
I wanted the hotel to feel like an explosion of different eras, with nostalgic vibes fused with modern touches, to create an eclectic atmosphere. This mix of colors, textures and materials comes together to offer my guests a unique experience that connects the past and the present, much like music and fashion do for me.
Clara: Do you have other influences and inspirations?
Ozlem: I find inspiration in every part and moment of life, with my two little girls at the top of the list. Seeing the world through their eyes and them wanting to be proud of their mother guides everything I do.
I am always inspired by the little details that surround us: the way someone walks, carries a handbag or ties a scarf. The way someone serves me tea, the way someone sits, all of these are art to me, these are the things that inspire me.
Lately, nature has been a big influence, the color and shape of a leaf, a flower… all of this has played a special role in the design of this hotel, to preserve as much of the natural landscape as possible. My creativity also extends at the moment to finishing a film I am working on, launching my podcast, The Lounge Sessions , painting and staying true to what makes me smile.
Clara: What experiences do you want to create for the hotel’s visitors?
Ozlem: My goal has always been to follow a very organic process. I wanted people to come in and immediately feel connected to the trees, the scents, and have all their senses heightened. More than anything, I wanted it to be a place where creative people (musicians, artists, poets, and writers) could come together and share beautiful conversations and feel like time was simply passing within these walls.
It really warms my heart when guests tell me they can’t bring themselves to leave because of the unique energy here. That feeling of connection and inspiration is exactly what I’ve always wanted to create for myself and other travelers.
source: https://www.lesmarseillaises.fr/interview-meet-ozlem-esen-at-the-corduroy-hotel-in-bali/