Rue de l'Amigo 1-3, Brussels, Belgium | (888) 551-4925
Luxury landmark
hotel with historical heritage and VIP clientele
Set on quaint
cobbled street just off Grand Place in city center
Fresh, spacious
rooms with unique design by renowned Olga Polizzi
Excellent Italian
restaurant and stylish martini bar
Belgian-related
Tintin and Magritte-themed suites
Well-equipped
business center
Valet parking and
pick-up area
No pool or spa
facilities
Grand Place-facing
rooms are prone to noise
The Rocco Forte
Hotel Amigo is a luxury, 173-room property set in the historical heart of
Brussels. The location could barely be more central -- just off the Grand Place and
minutes' walk from several tourist attractions. Rooms are spacious with an
understated luxury, though those facing the street can be prone to noise. While
eating and drinking options are excellent, including high-end Italian cuisine and creative craft cocktails, spa facilities are glaringly absent
for this caliber of hotel. Rates aren't bad for a luxury, city-center hotel,
but it's worth comparing rates with the similarly upmarket, though generally cheaper Royal Windsor Hotel Grand Place.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
High-end historical charm blended with coolly stated luxury and Belgian artworks
The hotel's unusual
name harks back to the site's early-16th century roots as a prison, when "Amigo" became its nickname (Belgium was then a part of the Spanish Netherlands). The property could now hardly be further from its custodial origins,
from the immaculately top-hat-and-tailed doormen ushering well-heeled guests
through its entrance to the unfussy, coolly stated luxury of its interiors. It's
clear the Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo is a seriously upscale establishment -- and one
of the very few true luxury hotels in Brussels’ center. Specifically Belgian references, such as Marcel Broodthaers and René Magritte prints, combine with antique tapestries and period furnishings that adorn the lobby's polished
flagstone floors. The clientele is mostly well-heeled tourists and corporate
business guests, and the signed
portraits of celebrity and VIP guests adorn the hotel bar walls to attest to their stay.
Location
Set just off the Grand Place market square in center of Brussels
The hotel is
situated on a quaint cobbled road just off the Grand Place in the heart of Brussels’
historical center. Opposite the hotel is a beautiful traditional-style Belgian
cafe (often packed with tourists) as well as numerous other bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Other tourist attractions in the area include the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate
about a block away, and the famous Manekin Pis fountain two minutes away on foot. The
area has good public transport connections with the Centraal train station under 10 minutes' walk. The hotel
forecourt also has a pickup area for taxis, and Brussels Airport is about 20 minutes' drive away.
Rooms
Fresh, contemporary decor with marble bathrooms and a Belgian flavor
The hotel has 173
bright spacious rooms, all decorated with fresh, contemporary styling with
homey touches and occasional antique pieces. Simple white bathrooms are
finished in earth-toned marble and include walk-in showers, robes, and REN bath
products -- some also with tubs. Free W-Fi, well-stocked minibars, and
flat-screen TVs with satellite channels all come as standard (though most rooms lack tea and coffee facilities, these can be provided on request). Locally sourced
fixtures and fittings selected by well-known designer Olga Polizzi have a distinctive Belgian touch, while the suites are all
decorated and furnished in a specific theme relating to Belgium, which include Tintin- and Magritte-themed suites. Although all rooms are soundproofed, those
overlooking the Grand Place are prone to noise.
Features
Excellent Italian dining and stylish martini bar -- though no spa
The hotel's Ristorante
Bocconi features modern Italian cooking in smart, contemporary surrounds and is
considered one of the better places to eat in Brussels. The restaurant also serves
an extensive -- though pricey when not included -- buffet breakfast, while the
stylish Bar Amigo specializes in martinis and serves various cocktails -- including creative, low-calorie selections -- throughout the day.
There is also a well-lit fitness room on-site with a few exercise machines, though not
the health facilities or pool you might expect from this caliber of property. A private car park with valet parking can
accommodate those arriving by car, and a well-equipped business center is
available for guests' use.
