As you all know by now, I have a soft spot for Brussels.  Unlike its neighbors Paris and Amsterdam, Brussels is a city you have look deeper in order to find the small treasures to make your experience unforgettable.  That being said, the experience starts on where you stay.  Here are my top five picks of where to stay in the city, all tested by yours truly.  

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Luxury Travel:   The Hotel Brussels has just undergone a massive renovation.  Located on Chaussée de Waterloo among luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton, Armani, and Tod’s it’s the perfect place for a luxury trip to Brussels.  Tip: the higher you stay, the better the views of the city from your room.  You can see the Place du Sablon, Palais de Justice, and the beautiful architecture of the city. The rooms have comfortable beds, modern décor, neutral colors, and most importantly, tons of light (very important on a light deprived Brussels).  Local tip: head to Mamy Louise for lunch or a coffee (five minute walk) or head to the weekend antique market at Place du Sablon (10 minute walk).

The Hotel Brussels, Boulevard de Waterloo 38, Bruxelles



Guest Romm at The Hotel Brussels

Affordable Design:  I don’t want to be biased but Ixelles is my favorite commune of Brussels.  It’s where the energy of the college students, the international vibe of the expats, and locals come together. I was fortunate to have lived there for six years.  So many great places to see, eat, shop in the commune. On an unassuming side street off Place Stephanie, there’s Zoom Hotel, a new photography inspired hotel in the city.  The rooms are decorated with photos of the city taken by local artists. The rooms range from 80-130 Euros a night and are large and comfy. Mingle with guests and locals alike at the lobby café.   The metro, tram, and bus are very close by.  Local Tip: Head to Rue de Bailli, a 10 minute walk from the hotel for local shops and restaurants (one of my favorite for cocktails is Roxi and DOD for shopping designer deals)
Hotel Zoom, Rue de la Concorde 59-61, Bruxelles 



The Dominican Hotel, Rue Leopold 9, Bruxelles 


Guest Room at Hotel Bloom!

Art Lovers:  I first experienced Hotel Bloom! in 2009 to plan a work event and was captivated by the original concept of the hotel.  I soon returned for dinner at Smoods, the hotel restaurant which five years later is still popular among the locals, especially on the weekends since they have a DJ. What makes Hotel Bloom so original is the art work in the rooms. No two rooms are alike. My room during my stay December 2014 was hand painted by a Ukranian artist and it had a really cool view of the Botanique (the botanical garden of Brussels).  Stay highlight:  breakfast. Not only does it have a wide selection but it also has a waffle truck inside the breakfast room!   Local Tip: The Botanique has some amazing concerts in their initamate venue, make sure to check out their schedule. Although the neighborhood has its rough parts, the metro is located right next to the hotel and there is a tram stop right in front of the hotel so accessibility is perfect.Hotel Bloom! Rue Royale 250, Bruxelles

If you need more tips on what to see and do, check out my Brussels weekend trip guide with tips on where to eat, run, and drink.  Have you been to Brussels?  What are you favorite spots?