Ever since it was chosen as Europe’s 2015 Capital of Culture, Mons’ many qualities have started getting more attention. The elevated town in Belgium, with its convivial atmosphere, is not only a famed WWII battlefield but also the home to cultural gems such as the world-renowned François Duesberg Museum and the curious Doudou Festival. All the more reason, then, to find you a great hotel so that you can begin your Mons journey.
Hotel Dream
Hotel
Walking into this 19th-century former nun refuge and chapel in the neoclassical style, you wouldn’t quite expect the Hotel Dream’s quirky decorations. Lounge chairs with cow patterns, bright blocks of color and Magritte-inspired frescoes give the whole place an eclectic and yes, almost dreamlike vibe. Particularly impressive are the rooms featuring large stained-glass windows or gorgeous architectural embellishments.
Utopia Hotel lives up to its name. A completely passive building leaving a zero ecological footprint, it’s all about striving for both its visitors and the nature that surrounds it. The venue’s large wooden parts blend in beautifully among the trees and ponds, making Utopia Hotel a very tranquil getaway in the already peaceful Mons region. The last piece that completes the ecological puzzle is the restaurant, Les Salines, which works with seasonally bound produce.
Behind Hotel St. James’ charming red brick façade lies a modern interior one wouldn’t expect. Sleek with a lot of black and white tones, wooden details, and sun-bathed bedrooms, the recent redecoration (which added on a quiet, modern part in the back) has left this place feeling very stylish.
One of the biggest hotels in the tranquil Mons area, Hotel Van der Valk even boast a sushi bar besides its restaurant and lounge bar | Courtesy of Congres Hotel Mons Van der Valk
Brand new, bright, and very accommodating, the Mons Van Der Valk Hotel is conveniently located in between some of Mons’ biggest highlights: the Spiennes mines and the Duesberg Museum. The giant with its 125 rooms, Turkish bath, golf terrain, kiddy corner, and pet-friendly policy goes out of its way to make both business travelers and families as comfortable as possible.
The pastel orange-hued building of Hotel Infotel could hardly be more central at only a hundred meters away from the pleasant terraces of Mons’ Grand Place. Still, its inner courtyard and the city’s sleepy town nature ensure a good night’s rest. If you’re looking for an extended stay in Mons’ peaceful surroundings, you might want to consider booking their ‘apart hotel,’ complete with a lounge area and kitchenette. The lunch packet you can have prepared is a thoughtful touch from a caring staff.
One of the most central and pocketbook-friendly places you can stay in Mons is the local youth hostel. At the foot of the imposing belfry and a two-minute walk from the main market square, it’s a great jumping-off point to go exploring after you’ve started your day off on a morally conscious note with their biological breakfast. Or you might just want to hang out in the art-filled courtyard or game room and make some traveler friends.
Hotel Saint Georges , Mons | Courtesy of Apart Hotel Saint Georges
Named after one of the most revered Saints in Mons’ history – Saint Georges, whose legendary fight with a dragon is reenacted by locals every year during the folkloric Doudou Festival – the Hotel Saint Georges is actually a collection of boutique apartments, perfect for a longer stay when you’ll want to be making yourself at home. The fireplaces, Chesterfield sofas, and all-around English country home atmosphere should make this very easy.
