NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon

Despite being part of a large hotel chain, the NH Hotel Du Grand Sablon has plenty of Belgian charm and character. The sleek lobby has a white marble floor with a varnished wooden reception desk and chairs upholstered in bright red fabric. The bar and restaurant have a traditional and cozy feel with antique-style wooden chairs, crisp, white tablecloths, and murals of typical Belgian street scenes. Part of the restaurant overlooks a charming courtyard with views of tiny, traditional Belgian buildings down a side street. 

Set in a historic and beautiful location, the hotel looks directly out over the cobbled Sablon Square to the Notre-Dame du Sablon church. The daily bell performance at the church every evening is a real treat, as is the antique market that takes over the whole square every Sunday. Also within the square are a wide range of restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries, and irresistible Belgian chocolate shops. Although there’s plenty going on here, the location itself is comparatively quiet, as traffic is restricted and most tourists flock to the Grand Place, a 15-minute walk away. A 10-minute walk in the other direction leads to the business district and to Avenue Louise, where luxury brands such as Dior have showrooms. The airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel while the Gare de Bruxelles-Midi -- the city's main train station, where guests can catch the Eurostar to London or the TGV (high-speed train) to Paris and Amsterdam -- is a 10-minute walk away. 

The rooms are clean and comfortable, and those that have been updated have a chic, contemporary look. Renovated rooms have modern furniture, a lime-green and white color scheme, vibrant patterned wallpaper, wood flooring, and large flat-screen TVs. Many rooms have a fantastic view of the square below, and those that don’t overlook a charming side street. All the rooms are quiet --  even those at the front of the building -- and there’s a decent range of facilities including free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, minibars, desks, electric kettles, and safes that are big enough for laptop computers. Bathrooms come with shower/tub combos, bidets, heated towel racks, and wall-mounted hairdryers. Room service is available around the clock. Not all rooms have been renovated, but will be completed mid-2016. 

The hotel offers a reasonably priced continental buffet breakfast with fresh fruit juices, pastries, cold cuts, cheeses, fruit, yogurt, and breads. Hot dishes can also be ordered, and the hotel kitchen is known for making great omelets. There’s a good Italian restaurant that serves lunch and dinner, and snacks are available all day in the bar, along with a wide range of wines, cocktails, and Belgian beers. Underground parking is available for a fee and the lower level of the hotel has dedicated business facilities and event space, including a large, impressive foyer designed in a grand, Art-Deco style.