The Dominican

The Dominican nicely mixes classic grandeur with modern elegance, and as such draws a sophisticated set of business travelers and tourists. Housed in an impressive white building, the hotel occupies the former site of a 15th-century Dominican Abbey where 19th-century French painter Jacques-Louis David once lived. Today the property maintains a colorful, artistic sensibility. Interior decor combines clean whites with bold jewel tones, modern furnishings, and stunning architectural details. The internal courtyard -- rare for Brussels -- has gorgeously arched ceilings and tall windows throughout, while the sleek lobby is all-white with pops of maroon. The Lounge Bar, frequented by locals as well as tourists, has enormous interior windows and a vaulted ceiling, with orange lounge chairs and unique wallpaper providing a trendy punch. Purple velvet chairs, and tall sculptures resembling oversized Christmas ornaments, jazz up the elegant Grand Lounge, which has doors opening onto the courtyard for al fresco dining in nice weather. Traditional monks' music plays in public areas -- including elevators, guest bathrooms, and ground-floor hallways -- lending historic ambiance. 

The hotel is situated in the heart of Brussels on a wide, quiet, pedestrian-only street lined with residential buildings, and it faces the back of the classical theater venue La Monnaie de Munt. There's a major shopping area within a five minutes' walk, and plenty of bars and cafes are found in the neighborhood. The De Brouckere stop, where the tram, metro, and bus all meet, is just a few minutes' walk from the hotel, making it easy for guests to explore the city. However, much is easily reached on foot as well. Grand Place and the art gallery Galerie de Rein are both just a five-minute walk away. The hotel is also just over a five minutes' walk from the main train station. 

Guest rooms are clean and very well-insulated against noise, offering total relaxation. Deluxe and Executive Rooms are decorated in a soothing palette of grays and browns, with lovely touches of deep turquoise and plush velvet, along with Venetian flock-like patterned carpeting. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, safes, minibars (no alcohol), flat-screen TVs, and Nespresso coffeemakers. Bathrooms are sleek with large gray tiling and rainfall showerheads; bathtubs are available in some. Most rooms overlook the internal courtyard, enhancing the sense of peace and quiet. Flowery essential oils scent the rooms and hallways, and each room has a lovely bench seat beside the window. 

The buffet breakfast is quite pricey, and there are plenty of cheaper options in neighborhood cafes. The Lounge Bar serves international food and wine pairings, with a full bar open from morning until late night -- plus a live DJ every Thursday night. The Grand Lounge, a fine dining restaurant overlooking the courtyard, serves classic French cuisine for lunch and dinner; it opens onto the Court Yard Bistro for outdoor dining, weather permitting. The gym, though small, has several, modern treadmills and free weights, while the boxing room is truly one-of-a-kind, replete with vintage punching bags and old, cracked gloves. The Finnish sauna and steam room are a treat, offering a great way to unwind after an event in the hotel's intimate, classy meeting/banquet rooms. There is a 24-hour parking area, Parking Ecuyer, within a one-minute walk (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.