The Hotel – Brussels

It’s all about fashion and panoramic views at The Hotel, an upscale hotel that was built in 1969. The Hotel features posh gold and black interiors and 27 floors of glass windows that overlook the Brussels skyline. Guests who want a bit of luxury and convenient designer shopping, do not not have to go far, with the jewelry boutique, Gilson, in the chic lobby. Tea time is also held every day in the lobby lounge. Overall the atmosphere is inviting and polished, a good match for either leisure or business travelers. 

Because the hotel is so large -- with a whopping 421 rooms -- there can be a wait to check in or check out. 

The Hotel is in a prime location for shopping. Avenue Louise, a strip of designer boutiques and high-end shops, is two minutes away on foot. Boulevard de Waterloo, nine minutes on foot, offers more shopping. Grand Place, the town center, is a six-minute cab ride. The airport takes 18 minutes by car. The Porte de Namur subway stop is two blocks away. The hotel is in an upscale area with historic buildings, movie theaters, a park, casual eateries (McDonald’s), and fine dining. The gothic church, Sainte Catherine, is eight minutes away by cab. The royal palace is within 12 minutes walking distance.

Luxe black and white decor with pops of gold and recessed lighting fills all rooms, including Superior and Deluxe Panorama Rooms, Panorama Suites, and Splendour Suites. With a focus on 180-degree city views, every room offers large windows and mini binoculars. Minibars offer free beverages and snacks. Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, safes, and newspapers are in every room. Ultra-modern bathrooms have high-end toiletries, slippers, and bathrobes, and (in some) bidets, bathtubs, and rainfall shower heads. Open wall designs in some bathrooms offer little privacy. Lighting panels with electric curtains can be confusing to operate. Deluxe Rooms and Suites have access to the lounge.

The Hotel offers sweeping views of Brussels at nearly every angle, including from the Urban Spa & Fitness center that is located on the 23rd floor. The gym is furnished with modern equipment that faces large windows. The spa offers three treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room, a Turkish bath, and large windows with city views.

The Restaurant, headed by chef Pierre Balthazar, and The Bar are located on the ground floor. Decor in the restaurant feels luxurious with chic black chairs, tan booths, and velvet sofas. The bar is also stylish, with gold and black designs and a comfy, but stylish lounge with designer Delvaux purses on display.

Sophisticated details are also infused into the hotel’s 12 meeting rooms, which feature black furniture and large windows that offer 180-degree views. Rooms fit between 18 to 400 people and come with audiovisual equipment and access to the exclusive Panorama Lounge, where there’s free Wi-Fi, stylish red and white designs, and a self-service bar, with refreshments and snacks.