The Most Stunning Hotels To Book In The South Of Belgium

The southern half of Belgium is officially known as Wallonia – and it’s full of architecture and landscapes that are every bit as whimsical as the name suggests, with atmospheric forests that feel magical, changing vividly with the seasons. Expect, too, horizons of undulating hills, peatlands and winding rivers. Whether you’re into hiking or golf, castle architecture or sensuous spa treatments, a few nights at one of these special check-ins will do the trick. Best of all, they’re bookable easily via Culture Trip.

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Château de Namur

At this restored turreted castle, fans of period and modern hotels alike love the backlit bedheads, silky gold covers and general contemporary take on ornate French Louis XIV-style furniture in rooms and suites. Sip something chilled in the gardens – the neat terrace has views over the steep-sided Meuse River valley – as the chef cooks your à la carte dinner, perhaps grilled North Sea sole or braised sweetbreads. Time to explore? It’s a short walk to one of Belgium’s greatest historic sites, the Citadel of Namur, with its underground passages and millennia of history. The quaint riverside city of Namur – capital of the Wallonia region – is not even 10 minutes’ drive away.

Sleek modernity meets ancient rusticity within the walls of an 18th-century Jesuit church in the petite town of Marche-en-Famenne. Certain rooms retain the fine arched windows from the building’s former incarnation, with a lighter, sharper style. If you love spa pampering, you’ll adore the hammam and massages performed here – not to mention the pretty little pool with mosaic tile and grand columns. On sunny days, tuck into the meats, cheese and salads on offer at Le Grand Brunch on the flower-filled terrace before stepping out for your culture fix – just a two-minute walk away is the Musée de la Famenne.

R Hotel

Just 2km (1.2mi) from the intriguing Grottes de Remouchamps cave complex and 24km (15mi) from Liège is this super-modern hotel. Tucked in the Amblève Valley, it keeps things pared-back with barely-there bedheads and an all-white palette. Public spaces are cool, casual affairs – there are chic unmanicured oak dining tables and a cool slice of indoor pool joined by a sauna, hot tub and steam room. If you’re feeling energetic, borrow a bike from the hotel and explore the surrounding green spaces before returning to relax with a foaming Belgian beer.

Castel de Pont-à-Lesse

Here’s one for history lovers: a former château hugged by acres of gardens and woodland, with the Castle of Freÿr (and its gorgeous gardens) an easy 12km (7.5mi) drive away. All rooms are different – some reveal sturdy ancient stonework in chunky pillars – but all are firmly of this century with lots of cream enlivened by pops of orange over chairs and pretty curtains. If you love wine, you’re in for a treat – tastings take place in the brick-built former cellar. Revive yourself with a few lengths in the indoor pool. Here, in the heart of Ardennes, you’re just 10km (6mi) from Dinant, dramatically set between high cliffs and a ribbon of river. Head out to explore the breweries and the elegant architecture.

Château de Vignée

Sexy rooms mirror the lovely landscapes of the Ardennes at this elegant pile – an immaculately restored manor house and 18th-century farmhouse – 15km (9mi) from Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne in Namur. It’s a mix of earthy tones and art informed by local plants, trees and rocks, against serene, Scandi-style light wooden walls. Book a superior and you get decked terrace views of the River Lesse. The indoor pool has views of surrounding woodland, as well as a reviving ice-bucket shower for the brave. For pure indulgence, book a sensuous oil-based massage. The château’s gardens and greenhouse provide fresh, delicious produce for the artful, seasonal dishes.

Le Val de Poix

It may be enveloped by the Grande Forêt de Saint-Hubert, but Le Val de Poix is an urban-elegant affair, with lashings of monochrome in its twins, doubles and family rooms. The outside is encouraged indoors: expect stacked-log feature walls, rugged stone details and old black-and-white photos of local people basking in the great outdoors. Flick through the pages of a book on the stepped terrace or snooze in a low-slung hammock, with just the sound of the river to soothe your senses. An hour’s drive through scenic countryside from Charleroi Airport, this is a special place for a romantic weekend getaway.

Maison Jules

Welcome to this comfortable country retreat in the middle of the Ardennes, half an hour’s drive from La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle. On offer is a variety of rooms with a combination of soothing soft green walls and bird-motif cushions, pink and green patchwork bedheads topped with a cheeky gnome, or wood themed with a cut-log feature wall and shaggy cream sheepskin cushions. This is a great place for a family holiday – there are rooms that comfortably sleep four. Spend your time hiking in the bosky surroundings before returning for a blissful session of steam, pool strokes and sauna – the on-site wellness facilities are impressive.

Château du Bois d’Arlon

If golf is your thing, you’ll love this cream-coloured castle, which feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere but is in fact an easy 20 minutes’ drive from Luxembourg airport, in leafy Arlon. It’s been revamped with clubbers in mind – hence the 18-hole and nine-hole golf courses as well as the family-friendly lodges and a fancy restaurant. Grand rooms and suites charm with period-style flourishes from drapes to floaty curtained four-poster beds. The leafy parkland holds a surprising theatre space styled as a Parisian cabaret venue, and there are plenty of peaceful spots to relax in with a glass of champagne as you toast your good luck in finding this special hideaway.

This is an updated rewrite of an article originally by Veronika J. Spencer.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.