During the holidays, I spent a few days in Brussels visiting friends and researching the local hotel scene. One of the hotels that appealed to me was The Dominican Hotel. I used to go there quite often for a quiet cocktail with friends. To me, it always seemed like a luxurious oasis in the middle of the chaotic city center of Brussels. On a quiet side street facing the back of La Monnaie, the Opera House of Brussels the former Dominican monastery turned hotel resides.
Tip: Go to the café at La Monnaie, it's quite popular with locals.
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| Facade of The Dominican Hotel in Brussels |
Room: My room at The Dominican Hotel was a deluxe room. Loved the simple décor of the room and its masculine colors and details. The dark curtains were perfect for taking a post flight nap and there was plenty of light from the courtyard when I needed it. The hotel has free wifi and plenty of outlets to plug all my devices in. The bed was plush and comfortable but the highlight was the bathtub. After a long day at the Christmas Markets, I treated myself to a long bath in the deep bathtub (sea salts included).
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| Room at The Dominican Hotel Brussels |
Food and Bar: The food and bar of the hotel are quite popular with locals so I suggest to make a reservation if you plan to dine, especially on the weekend. The bar has been one of my favorite cocktail bars in the city for several years now. It's the perfect place to catch up with an old friend, go on a date, or just decompress after a long day of sightseeing. The breakfast, in Belgian fashion is also delicious. The restaurant area faces the courtyard of the hotel, where you can sit in the summertime.
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| Bar at The Dominican Hotel |
Location: If you are on a short trip and want to see all the important sights, The Dominican Hotel is in the perfect location, just a short walk from popular attractions such as the Grand Place, Place Saint Catherine, Sablon, among others. The metro DeBrouckere is a short walk from the hotel and there are plenty of buses and trams nearby as well. If you're a foodie, you will love the seafood restaurants near Place Saint Catherine. If you love to shop, head to Rue Dansaert which is hopping with new Belgian designers and hip vintage shops.
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| Cocktails at The Dominican Hotel |
Verdict: If you want to be in the middle of it all but still appreciate anonymity, The Dominican Hotel is the place for you. One of the things I enjoyed the most was walking to all the attractions I love about the city center and then retiring to a quiet and peaceful room. For tips on what to do on a weekend trip to Brussels, check out my Weekend Guide to Brussels.
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| Decor at The Dominican Hotel |
* Disclaimer: My stay at The Dominican Hotel was sponsored by the hotel. As always opinions are my own and I only write about the things I love.
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