The Zoom Hotel, boasting a unique photograph taken in Brussels in every single room, is just one of many original places to stay near the Matongé quarter | Courtesy of Zoom Hotel
In between the fashionable Avenue Louise with its high-end shops and the all-business European Quarter, we find lively Matongé. Brussels‘ African quarter has become a favorite bohemian hangout, so creative and eclectic that it’s a must-see at any given time you visit the capital. Here are seven hotels bringing you that much closer to one of Brussels’ most dynamic neighborhoods.
Steigenberger Wiltcher’s
Hotel
The grand Steigenberger Wiltcher's fits in perfectly with Avenue Louise's high-end feel | Courtesy of the Steigenberger Wiltcher's
Welcome to high society at this five-star luxury abode about 800 meters from the Matongé quarter. Towering over Avenue Louise with its regal white façade, the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s is a luxurious mastodon housing 267 rooms and suites. Dinner at the restaurant with a fireplace can be followed up with a Cuban or Dominican smoke at the authentic cigar bar.
Hotel Bristol Stephanie's flashy velvet chairs are a prelude to the eclectic vibe that awaits in the Matongé quarter | Courtesy of Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie
A little further down Avenue Louise and we find the Thon Hotel Bristol Stéphanie, offering incredibly spacious rooms at fair prices. The comfortable and vibrant velvet chairs placed throughout the venue seem to act as a hint to the proximity of both the Sablon quarter, and its famed antique stores, and the bohemian Matongé streets. Late checkouts on Sundays are a godsend for those planning on exploring the Brussels nightlife scene.
Le Berger Hotel, Brussels | Courtesy of Hôtel le Berger/Chelton Hotel
A former hôtel de rendez-vous that’s preserved its 1930’s charm, Hôtel le Berger, at the edge of the Matongé quarter, seems straight out of a black-and-white romcom. All the classic elements to keep a hidden romance alive are there: the double lifts (one for going up and one for going down so as not to be spotted), the open bathrooms, and the bar with alcoves that encourage a quick, unseen kiss. Designer Martina Nievergelt immediately embraced the hotel’s past, making sure the mysterious ambiance of old has been preserved while adding in all the necessary modern comforts.
A mere 300 meters from the buzzing Matongé quarter, Stanhope Hotel does English country house at its best. Fans of frills, floral patterns, and canopy beds will feel immediately at home, while bookworms get theirs at the Library Bar. Great cups of tea and an extensive English breakfast on its ivy-clad patio garden round out the plethora of British delights.
Get your glamp on in Brussels' Vintage Hotel and camp in style | Courtesy of Vintage Hotel
Psychedelic wallpaper patterns, bright mohair pillows, and vinyl records playing at breakfast – this can only be the 70s. Or rather, a hotel modeled after them, as the Vintage Hotel enjoys making its visitors remember just how stylish that decade could be. Designer furniture and Vogue covers from the era bring us back to retro days long gone, while the quiet patio outside houses an Airstream caravan perfect for urban ‘glamping’ – or glamorous camping.
The Zoom Hotel boasts an interior especially alluring to young creatives who are already loving its proximity to the Matongé quarter | Courtesy of Zoom Hotel
Located in an exceptionally peaceful, elevated city block, the Zoom Hotel combines industrial comfort with a love of photography. The passion is ubiquitous throughout the venue, from its name to the interactive wall with hundreds of pictures and the camera drawings on the walls of the common areas. Each room in the boutique hotel boasts a standout piece: a unique picture of Brussels made by a Belgian artist.
One for the modern minimalist, the Aqua Hotel, with its abstract sculptures and whitewashed rooms, is perfect for a quick business trip or getaway. The building wraps neatly around a courtyard, letting ample light into the spacious public areas, and rooms book at a great value.
