My Top 5 Brussels Hotel Picks
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.
'
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
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
 |
| Guest Romm at The Hotel Brussels |
Hotel Zoom, Rue de la Concorde 59-61, Bruxelles
 |
| Entrance at Hotel Dominican Brussels |
 |
| 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
At home with locals:
I love the concept of a bed and breakfast hosted by locals. My Italian friends Pietro and Mario opened
Sleeping in Brussels, bed and breakfasts in the heart of the city with two houses on Rue de l'Eclipse. They both have lived in Brussels for decades
and know the city like the back of their hand.
The owners also own a wine bar nearby, Winehouse Osteria and also a
wine online wine shop, Only Great Wines. I used
to order Italian wines from them when I used to live in
Brussels for my dinner parties. The rooms make you feel at home with personal touches and breakfast. Another perk is that the bed and breakfast is LGBT friendly but also
caters to all visitors (I gifted my friends a stay for their wedding present
there, they loved it). Local Tip: Do you
love Salsa? Walk over to Che Havana, a
small salsa bar on a side street of the Grand Place for live music and
delicious mojitos.Sleep in Brussels, Rue de l'Eclipse 7, Bruxelles
 |
| Winehouse Osteria, Brussels |
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?
