Brussels: classy and continental with a touch of chocolate

The charming surroundings of our hotel cater to everything you can dream of: art, culture, gastronomy and shopping. Place du Grand Sablon, one of the most stylish squares in the city, will take your breath away with its galleries, chocolatiers, chic shops and appetizing restaurants. The antiques market, held every weekend, delights tourists from all over the world and luxury boutiques such as Louboutin, Armani and Flamant complete the fabulous setting. The Marolles quarter was once home to weavers and craftsmen - street names reflect this artisanal history – but today is best known for its flea market, held daily in Place du Jeu de Balle between 07:00 and 14:00. You’ll find just about anything you imagine.

Royalty, art and music give a culture insight

An incredible variety of museums surround the hotel. Why not discover the world of art, from medieval to contemporary, through the outstanding collections of the Musée Royaux des Beaux-Arts. Cast an eye over the outstanding collection of over 200 pieces at the Magritte Museum, dedicated to the Belgian surrealist artist, Réné Magritte. Just around the corner you’ll also find the remarkable building of the Musée des Instruments de Musique, “MIM”, which invites you to explore the story of music through the 19th and 20th centuries. I also suggest you head up to the top floor for a unique view of the city from the amazing brasserie.

For more cultural experiences, the Théâtre Royal du Parc is still going strong after more than a century allowing you to see some big classics as well as more contemporary theatre. There are also fine arts at the Palais des Beaux-Arts (known as the “Bozar”), an art-deco masterpiece by Victor Hort, simmering with international cultural and artistic activities throughout the year.

Europe’s hub offers continental dining

Belgium is known for its beer, chocolate and waffles but that’s not all: there is a gastronomic encounter waiting around each corner, often with a continental feel. And where better to start than in our hotel, with either the more informal setting of our Grand Café Hispania, offering Spanish tapas and local dishes throughout the day, or our more exclusive Hispania Restaurant, with avant-garde cuisine under the watchful eye of Michelin-starred chef, Marcos Morán.

Once you venture out, Les Petits Oignons is a popular, well-established restaurant serving brasserie-style dishes in a cozy atmosphere. Another I like is Au vieux Saint Martin: classic Belgian cuisine and suitable whether you want a full meal or just a cup of coffee. Toscana 21, in the charming pedestrian street of Rue de Rollebeek, is the best stop for Italian food while Troisième Acte offers up an intimate atmosphere with theatrical décor and the most refined gastronomy. If you need a quick bite in between other activities, Le Perroquet Lively Art-Nouveau cafè is just perfect.

An evening drink, late night dance or peaceful movie

When evening comes, there’s plenty to occupy your time in the neighborhood around the hotel. Try one of the local Belgian beers or a tasty cocktail at the Pop-Up Sablon bar, which is just along the street from us and is a great place to warm up for a night on the town. And if you’re still not ready for bed, strut into the famous Fuse nightclub on Rue Haute where you can dance till your shoes are worn through.

If a movie-night is more your thing, take a walk over to the elegant area of Boulevard de Waterloo where the Toison d’Or cinema will treat you to a relaxing evening – depending on the film chosen, of course!

Children not forgotten in Brussels

A trip to Brussels with younger family members opens so many new doors of adventure and insight, with museums for all ages waiting to educate and entertain. A visit to the Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat is a fun and creative way to discover the art of the world-renowned Belgian artisan chocolatiers. Kids also love the unique Centre for Comic Strip Art that gives information about the murals you’ll see on the walls throughout the city. Even more interaction is had at the Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, as little hands get to enjoy digging in the sand to find hidden dinosaur bones, just like the archaeological experts. They can also observe urban animals while trying to catch them on the interactive carpet, and can even meet the stars of Jurassic World! For a geographical insight, Mini-Europe lets you discover parts of the continent all assembled in one unique spot. It sits at the foot of the Atomium, the city’s national symbol, which is a huge model of an iron crystal and worth a visit in itself.

The Egmont Park is like an imaginary country away from the urban world and is great for relaxing with or without children. Inside you can enjoy the Orangerie, ideal for Sunday brunch and for hot summer days on their unique terrace.

Day trip: five of the best

As well as having so much to offer itself, Brussels is close to other wonderful cities including Brugges, Ghent, Antwerp, Dinant and Namur. If you fancy a day trip, then any one of these offers something unique and are well worth the short train ride.

About Isabel Fernandez

I am Isabel Fernandez and I’ve been working for NH hotels since 2008. I started as a receptionist in the hotel and then decided to take on a new challenge: creating the position of Guest Relations. Together with the front office and general manager at the time, we decided that our hotel needed something extra to make a difference for each guest and ever since, each day has been more exciting and rewarding in every single way. The refurbishment of our hotel, and the arrival of the Collection brand, helped me to grow personally and professionally. At work I can totally be as passionate as I am in my private life and, I must say, I love this feeling.