Rue du Berger 24, Ixelles, Belgium | (727) 241-5756
Located in the Matonge neighborhood, walking distance to most sights
Renovated 1930s rendez-vous hotel with romantic, vintage atmosphere
Individually decorated rooms with boudoir charm and flat-screen TVs
Stylish on-site Italian restaurant and bar open in evenings
Outdoor terrace with traditional cafe seating
Tasty breakfast buffet with range of choices (extra fee)
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Parking available on-site (extra fee)
Standard rooms are tiny, with minimal storage or surfaces
No AC, coffeemakers, or mini-fridges in rooms
Past guests have complained about thin walls
Fee for breakfast
From the mid-1930s until 2010, Le Berger operated as a "rendez-vous" hotel -- a meeting place for lovers. In 2012, it was renovated into a conventional mid-range hotel, but it retained much of its original romantic style, adding a second building in 2013. Most of the hotel's 66 rooms are small -- some even tiny -- and there are no desks, mini-fridges, or coffeemakers, and storage space is scarce. But but they're charming all the same, with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The hotel has a nice Italian restaurant, an outdoor terrace, a bar, and a daily breakfast buffet (for a fee). And the location is a 15- to 20-minute walk to most tourist sights. Travelers seeking a romantic hotel could also consider Made in Louise, an airier spot but without the same historic charm.
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Scene
Renovated 1930s rendez-vous hotel with romantic, vintage character
Situated in a charming half-timbered building, Hotel Le Berger first opened in the 1930s but underwent a full renovation in 2012. Originally a "rendez-vous" hotel (a place where wealthy, prominent men could meet their lovers), the original architecture assured discretion -- it was designed in a way to keep customers from running into one another, with two separate elevators for arriving and departing guests. As a homage to its past, Le Berger has kept the two elevators. Classy and clean but full of character, with sexy, Art Deco accents and vintage charm, the hotel is a hot destination for couples -- tourists and locals -- seeking romantic, weekend getaways. During the week it fills up with business travelers -- several office buildings are nearby. In the lobby, clean wood floors pair with white walls and dark-wood accents that mimic the half-timber exterior. Vintage wallpaper and upholstery, elegant stuffed birds, cloche jars of butterflies, tasteful nude artwork, and velvety red drapes offer romantic charm and a burlesque edge. Most of the guest rooms are in the original building, but 15 larger, more modern rooms are housed in an adjacent building, Berger 2, which was added in 2013.
Location
In the vibrant Matonge neighborhood, a seven-minute walk to Avenue Louise
Hotel Le Berger is located on a tiny cobblestone side street in the lively Matonge neighborhood, formed by Congolese immigrants in the 1960s after their country's independence from Belgium, with other Africans arriving in the years that followed. The neighborhood is flanked by the European Quarter, host to European Union organizations, and Avenue Louise, a street known for its luxury shopping, about a seven-minute walk from the hotel. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and nightlife in the surrounding neighborhood, and most tourist attractions are within a 15- to 20-minute walk. To reach sights farther out, guests can walk to the Naamsepoort Station (lines 2 and 6). - Four-minute walk to Naamsepoort Station
Rooms
Individually decorated rooms full of vintage character, but Standard Rooms are tiny with few extras
The 66 rooms at Hotel Le Berger are individually decorated with wall-to-wall carpeting and vintage Art Deco decor. Some have floral wallpaper, velvety blankets and drapes, button-tufted armchairs, gold-framed artwork (sometimes of nude figures), and bathrooms fully tiled in black or white.The hotel has 23 Standard Rooms and 28 Superior Rooms, all situated in the main building. They are tiny, measuring only 100 to 170 square feet. Since the hotel was built for quick rendez-vous, the original rooms had no bathrooms and no space to store luggage or work. Renovations added bathrooms -- many with wet-room style showers and sinks situated in the rooms -- but they still lack wardrobes and desks. Flat-screen TVs are hidden to preserve the historic look of the rooms. The hotel's 15 Comfort Rooms, situated in an adjacent building that was renovated and added in 2013, are more modern, and have better soundproofing, desks, sitting areas, larger windows, and more storage space. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.Rooms are not air-conditioned, and they lack mini-fridges, coffeemakers, or safes, though they are stocked with bottled water. Bathrooms include hairdryers and dispenser-style toiletries. Guests have complained about noise coming through the thin walls, especially in rooms in the original building.
Features
Stylish Italian restaurant, bar, and breakfast buffet (extra fee)
For a petite boutique property, Le Berger manages to offer up the standard amenities travelers expect from a mid-range hotel. The property has a cozy bar, open nightly, and a stylish on-site Italian restaurant, Vini Divini. Guests tend to enjoy the food here, but some find it pricey. A daily breakfast buffet is available and includes a wide range of choices, but it's not included in standard room rates. The hotel also has a small outdoor terrace with seating. On-site parking is available for a fee. Staff can help arrange for luggage storage or laundry and dry cleaning. The hotel also offers a variety of guest packages, including romantic packages that include massage oils, gels, and condoms. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
