The Best Hotels in Brussels to Make the Most of the City

This hotel used to be a notorious prison in the 16th century during the period Brussels was ruled by the Spanish Habsburgs. Today, it’s a chic boutique hotel with spacious, stylish suites, decorated with original artwork by Magritte, Moulinsart and prints from Hergé’s Tintin. You can cosy up by the fireplace in the top-floor Armand Blaton Suite, which comes with its own private roof terrace overlooking City Hall. Downstairs, the hotel serves authentic Italian cuisine at Bocconi.

Located under the magnificent vaults and windows of the the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert shopping center, this small Danish-style hotel is just steps from the famous Manneken-Pis fountain sculpture and the Grand Place, Brussels’ central square and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rooms have minimalist white walls and statement furniture. Its restaurant, Comptoir des Galeries, is a favourite with locals for its excellent nouveau Belgian cuisine and extensive wine list.

Taking its name from the Danish word for ‘cosiness’, the Hygge is like a warm hug in the heart of Brussels. Scandinavian design shines through the wooden furniture, house plants and sheepskin blankets. Choose between the Cozy and Relax rooms – each comes with super-fast wifi and single, twin or king-sized beds. Don’t miss the hotel’s wide-ranging international breakfast.

There is always romance on the menu at Le Plaza Brussels. It’s well known for its grand interior and attractive couple’s packages, so make sure you book a luxurious suite to impress your other half, complete with fresh flowers and a marble bathtub. You can soak among the bubbles while waiting for champagne to arrive at your door, and be sure to top off your stay with steak at the hotel’s Brasserie L’Estérel.

Art lovers should book this hotel in the heart of the Art Nouveau district. You’ll be staying within the walls of a typical 20th-century Brussels townhouse with 48 rooms, decorated in a chic monochrome style. Breakfast is a real highlight here – choose between fresh pastries and Belgian waffles, or French toast with homemade granola on the side. You can play giant chess in the outdoor courtyard or snuggle up by the fireplace with a steaming hot coffee.

Between the European Quarter and the Royal Palace, the Stanhope offers five-star luxury near the city’s top attractions. There are single rooms for solo travellers right up to suites that can sleep three people. Pets are welcome, plus environmentally conscious drivers can charge their electric car on-site. You can finish your day with a sauna session, followed by a whisky on the rocks in the Library Bar.

In the lively Sainte-Catherine district, the Novotel Brussels is a family hotel with 217 guest rooms. It is close to many of Brussels’ top attractions, including the Manneken-Pis statue and the Grand Place. You’ll find simple, modern rooms plus an indoor heated pool and fitness centre. You can head to the hotel restaurant serving international dishes and, most certainly, Belgian frites, or visit the gourmet bar and brasserie for a cold Belgian beer to end the night.

The Tangla Hotel Brussels is slightly outside of the city, just 10 minutes from Brussels International Airport. There’s an indoor pool here, which is rare for many European hotels – especially ones that don’t have a spa – plus an enormous fitness centre. Breakfast, including Belgian waffles, is served in the Le Cinq buffet restaurant. There is an upscale Chinese restaurant, Tang Dynasty, serving Cantonese cuisine. The rooms are modern and feature black-out drapes to ensure you have a peaceful night’s sleep.

The Sofitel Brussels Le Louise is in the heart of the city, designed by noted architect Antoine Pinto. One of the most interesting features is its beautiful outdoor bar, popular with locals, which is perfect for warm, summer nights. The standout rooms here include the Prestige Suite, with its large sitting area, modern bedroom and luxury bathroom with a deep-soaking tub. If you want to ride in style for a night on the town, the hotel offers a limo service.

If you’re looking for a room with a remarkable view, you will love the Hotel Brussels in one of the city’s tallest buildings, with 420 rooms and expansive city vistas. There is a full-service spa and fitness centre, plus a renowned restaurant headed by Pierre Balthazar, once executive chef at the Council of the European Union. Boulevard de Waterloo, a high-end fashion shopping street, is on your doorstep. Besides endless shopping opportunities, you’ll have the Place Royale, Brussels Central Station and Manneken-Pis nearby.

The Pantone Hotel is conveniently located near Avenue Louise, one of Brussels’ most expensive streets. The hotel is designed around the famous Pantone colour wheel and each room is focused on bold colours from the palette, set against white walls. Enjoy a continental breakfast with waffles, Liège syrup, honey, Rochefort butter, fruit jam and abbey cheese from Chimay. There’s no evening restaurant here, but you are within easy reach of the varied eateries of Louise.