About the Brussels Stephex Masters

This year’s Brussels Stephex Masters event, which ran from August 28 to September 1, celebrated its tenth anniversary in a big way. It was part of the prestigious Rolex Series for the first time, so it attracted some of the biggest names in the sport. Riders like Kent Farrington, Jessica Springsteen, and Marcus Ehning were all competing, along with world No. 1 Henrik von Eckermann and several other top-ranked athletes. It was amazing to see such a high level of competition in person, and the highlight of the week was, without a doubt, the Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi on Sunday. The course was stunning, with details like the replicas of the Atomium and Mannekin Pis adorning the horse jumps.

The Experience

What surprised me was how accessible the Brussels Stephex Masters was. I always thought these prestigious competitions would be expensive or difficult to attend, but the Stephex Masters is open to the public. You can wander around some stables, get close to the horses, and watch all the events. It felt like there was something for everyone—from serious equestrian fans to families with kids, all enjoying the unique atmosphere. There’s also plenty of food, drinks, and entertainment around. The vibe is casual elegance. You will see guests dressed to the nines and people in casual looks like shorts and sundresses. I advise wearing comfortable shoes to walk around and enjoy the fun installations throughout the venue.

VIP packages are available for those seeking a more upscale experience. They offer perks like access to an open bar, comfortable seating, and prime views of the competition. As a guest, I had the opportunity to experience the VIP area, and I think it’s an excellent investment, as you will have all the comforts during a busy event.

What stood out most for me was how immersive and welcoming the event was. Even as a newcomer to equestrian sports, I got caught up in the competition, cheering on riders I’d only just learned about. Seeing the horses up close between events added a personal touch to the experience.

The event occurs in Meise, a small Flemish town north of Brussels. From the Brussels city center, it takes around 45 minutes to get there by car, and there’s plenty of parking. Public transportation, which takes around 90 minutes, is also an option.

The Verdict

For a first-timer, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the world of show jumping by experiencing the Brussels Stephex Masters. I’m looking forward to attending again next year with my family and am excited to keep learning more about the sport. If you’ve ever been curious about equestrian events or want to experience something new, look into the Rolex Series events for their calendar of events.

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Note: the interview has been edited for brevity & translated from French to English. 

Q&A with Executive Chef Michel Wahaltere

Maria: What makes your restaurant successful?

Chef Wahaltere: At Hôtel Métropole Brussels, we manage three venues in one location at which provides variety to the guests. Those are the Brasserie Métropole, Bar “Le 31”, Le Jardin Indien with a combined capacity of over 150 places to include indoor and outdoor seating. Our good reputation continues to grow which is something we’re grateful for.

Maria: What is the creative process behind your dishes?

Chef Wahaltere: Stay focus on where we are, BELGITUDE which means using Belgian products as much as possible. Therefore, I am selecting products from local farmers and artisans like champignons coming from Tour & Taxis, Cukoo from Malines’s and Belgian Charolais beef, and mozzarella from de Ardennes. All these products are made with Belgian traditions. And of course, we use Belgian beers in our recipes rather than wine!

Maria: Why did you choose Brussels?

Chef Wahaltere: I didn’t choose Brussels, Brussels chose me. My mentor and good friend from childhood renowned restaurateur Mr. Antoine Pinto reach out to me when I was still working in the United States and offered me a job at his Belga Queen Brasserie back in 2015. Thanks to the network connection, Hôtel Métropole Brussels asked me to join their team in 2017. After six months at the hotel, I was already promoted to Hotel Executive Chef. Another good reason to be back in Belgium was to be close to my mother and family.

Maria: Can you tell us about your favorite creation on the menu?

Chef Wahaltere: the flavor of the combination of local products gives life to very traditional Belgium dishes that are in our DNA: BELGITUDE. I like to use Belgian beers and Liege syrup in our recipes. Other dishes we like to serve are the steak tartare, codfish or sole meunière, and crevettes grises (little grey shrimps) from the North Sea. Also, Brussels “forgotten” dishes such as “Oeuf a la Meulemeester” hard-boiled eggs topped with crevettes grises, parsley, mustard, light beer cream, and grated cheese.

Maria: What would you like for your guests to remember from the dining experience?

Chef Wahaltere: Hôtel Métropole is an iconic place, as it is one of the oldest Brussels hotels, and it is considered as an institution. Also, I want our guests to try the Belgian cuisine made with Belgian products. We are currently offering the white asparagus which are very typical from the region. We also offer a flexible choice rather than plat du jour (daily special) therefore, we offer 2 great lunch menus: the DAILY CHEF’S SPECIAL BRASSERIE composed by two-courses menu and the MENU 37 composed of a three-course menu.

Maria: Tell me about the process of pairing wine and food?

Chef Wahaltere:  Actually, we are mainly focusing on the offering of Belgium beers as this is part of our BELGITUDE concept. However, we do have a selection of wines in our menu and we will promote more Belgian wines very soon. Also, if/when we reopen the Gastronomic restaurant which is my biggest desire as a celebration of the 125 years anniversary of Hôtel Métropole Brussels will take place next year. In fact, I would be doing a wine tasting this week in search for us to offer Belgian wines to our guests.

Maria: Our readers enjoy local tips from chefs. What three places do you recommend for visitors to see?

Chef Wahaltere:

• Visit the landmarks: Atomium, Brussels Grand Place, and Brussels Comic Art Museum
• Enjoy food and Décor at Belga Queen Brasserie
• Reserve a table at Two- Michelin starred Restaurant Bon-Bon

About Our Dining Experience

We had the pleasure to enjoy and eat at Café Metropole in the company of Chef Wahaltere. Below you can find some of our favorite dishes:

·       Hard boiled eggs with shrimp and beer mousseline.

·       Shrimp croquettes.

·       Lobster Ravioli, green asparagus cream, duo asparagus salsa, and truffle carpaccio.

·       Cuckoo from Mechelen crockpot, North Sea grey shrimp sauce, potatoes croquettes.

·       Café Liégeois.

·       White wine: Cours des Dames France Chardonnay.

The Verdict

Hôtel Métropole Brussels is an iconic landmark of the city, a former palace constructed in 1895 in the former “Caisse d’Epargne” headquarters. It used to be one of the oldest banks of the city and has been selected by many international films due to its location and décor. At the reception, you will recognize the old bank boxes. The rooms and charming suites are spacious, luxury facilities where you can meet, enjoy and relax. The view of Brussels from our suite is something that you should experience on your next trip to the Capital of Europe.

It was a real pleasure to meet Hôtel Métropole Executive Chef Michel Wahaltere, who began his international career studying in Liege and bringing his Belgian flair to France and the United States. After all his travels and opening restaurants in many cities, he’s happy to be back in Belgium promoting Belgian cuisine and products.

Hôtel Métropole Brussels, Place De Brouckère 31, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Website

Disclaimer: I was graciously hosted by Hotel Metropole Brussels. As always, opinions are my own and it was a true pleasure to meet Chef Michel Wahaltere. 

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Location, Location, Location!

Let me preface this section by disclosing that I may be a bit biased. My first apartment in Brussels was located a few blocks from Made in Louise, which brought back great memories. The hotel is located off of Avenue Louise, known for its beautiful row homes and luxury shops. What I love about this neighborhood is the access to great restaurants, shops, and bars. The famous Place Chatelain (where I met my Dutchman) is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. You can walk to the city center of Brussels in less than 30 minutes. There is also quick access to bus, tram, and metro from the hotel. For more tips on what to do in this neighborhood, check out our Ixelles Guide. I love that you have the residential feeling without the touristy vibes.

Local Vibes

The Duchateau siblings who own Made in Louise are Bruxellois (native of Brussels) through and through. You can see this upon entering the property with all the little personalized details that invoke Brussels. The hotel is quite small and there’s not proper bar. However, they have an extensive collection of Belgian beers you can purchase at the in the lobby area that you can enjoy in the lobby or courtyard. Martin, one of the owners collaborates with small breweries to feature local beers. We enjoyed a cold Chimay in their beautiful courtyard which is an oasis in the busy city.  We saw a varied selection of guests from young European businessmen to a multi-generational American family.

The Rooms

Our room at Made in Louise was clean, spacious, and nicely decorated. It had a minimalist decor with a pop of color with its orange wallpaper. We were happy to see that our piccola’s crib was all set up upon our arrival.  The bathroom was a bit small but it made up with the Clarins toiletries. The only thing I would’ve liked was a coffee maker or tea kettle in our room. However, the lobby has tea and coffee service 24/7. Although there was no minibar fridge in the room, the staff was very accommodating in storing the baby’s food and all of our Dutch cheese in their fridge.

The Food

There’s no restaurant at Made in Louise, therefore I can only talk about their breakfast service. I love European boutique hotel breakfast service and Made in Louise lived up to that reputation. First of all, they have a selection of local ingredients such as granola, waffles, and preserves. The buffet has warm and cold choices and a nice selection of breads, cheese, and cold cuts. Also, I highly advise to go to their courtyard for a beer or glass of wine for an impromptu happy hour. They serve complimentary olives and cheese with your drink purchase.

Made in Louise: The Experience

If you’re looking for a quaint, boutique hotel in Brussels with superb service, head to Made in Louise. I’ll be frank: Brussels is city that does not have the best reputation when it comes to service. Places like Made in Louise are trying to change that. This property goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome. It’s like staying at the amazing house of a very cool friend.

Need more Brussels tips? Check our Brussels Weekend Trip Guide.

Made in Louise, Rue Veydt 40, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium, Website 

Disclaimer: I was hosted by Made in Louise, however, opinions are my own. We really, really loved this place. There’s a reason why they are #1 on TripAdvisor! 

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Dining Traveler @ Brussels Flower Carpet by Rahul Venkit on Vimeo.

Behind the Scenes: Brussels Flower Carpet 

The Event:  The 2016 Brussels Flower Carpet took place from August 12th until August 15th.  The event was open to the public but guests were also able buy a pass for 5 Euros to gain a view from above from the balcony of Brussels City Hall.  The city has been hosting this event for years, highly recommend to make your way to Brussels during this event.  What also makes the event special is that many volunteers from young to old, from every part of Belgium, come together to manually place the flowers one by one on the design which literally covers most of the area of the Grand Place.

The Theme:  As mentioned before, the city partnered with the Japanese Government to come up with the design. Young  Japanese designer Fuji Suzuki, says she drew inspiration from Japanese representations of flowers, birds, the wind and the moon to depict the beauty of nature. She also mentioned that she was inspired by patterns she had seen in kimonos to come up with the design. Belgian Mark Schautteet, the architect of the Brussels Flower Carpet decided which flowers fit best into Ms Suzuki’s design.  Although this was her first time in Brussels, Ms Suzuki felt that “she had been there many times before” as she spent time in the city.

Thoughts:  This was my first time back in Brussels after the city experienced the terror attacks on March 22nd.  My friends who live here are still trying to recover from the horrendous effect it had on the city.  Hotels and restaurants have seen a drop in guests, which sadly affects small, local owned businesses the most.  Sad to see that many people are still afraid to visit this beautiful and vibrant city.  I tell you, as a traveling pregnant woman, I felt incredibly safe in Brussels.  As I stood at the balcony of Brussels City Hall, with a view of the beautiful Brussels Flower Carpet I knew the city will heal fully from the unfortunate events of March 22nd. Je suis Bruxelles…

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When I woke up the morning of March 22nd it was like any other morning-….until I reached for my phone.  I suddenly saw 45 of my friends have marked themselves “safe” on Facebook.  Then I noticed the notification on my BBC app:  Brussels had been a victim of a terrorist attack.  There was this uneasy feeling on the pit of my stomach.  I started to check my Facebook and What’s App for my friends.  All the memories of living in Brussels started to flash: dinners at my home in Ixelles, late nights sipping Duvel at Delirium, impromptu picnics at Bois de la Cambre, many trips taken from Zaventem Airport, and most importantly, the night I met my husband at Place du Chatelain.  I felt this deep feeling of pain, sorrow, and sadness.  However, I am sad to say I wasn’t surprised.

With those memories also came flashbacks from my deployment in Baghdad in 2005 where attacks of this nature were the norm.  Suicide attacks at weddings to markets were a daily occurrence in 2005 across Iraq. After seven months analyzing improvised explosive devices (that was my job), I learned how easy is to create terror, even in an area with such limited supplies.  At that time, my fear was that one day these actions will hit too close to home, and they most certainly have.  It doesn’t take much to create something that can create multiple casualties, and most of all, create terror.  Sadly, mass casualties are not needed in order to create chaos and uncertainty.  At the end of it all, that’s what a terrorist wants to achieve. Create a world in which we live in fear and give up the way of life we’ve sacrificed so much to achieve.

As much as I enjoyed living in Brussels, there was the negative underbelly of  a disenfranchised youth who were responsible for my unsavory memories of living in the city.  They carry the same profile of those who have committed these attacks, the type who call women “whore” if they are running by themselves and don’t entertain their advances (it happened to me several times, watch documentary Femme de la Rue), try to vandalize your car when you take the wrong turn and end up in Schaarbeek, or try to rob you at knifepoint (it happened to several people I knew).  Those are the topics that are difficult to discuss as it is better to talk about the good times, but one I feel that should be addressed.  I recall being a security manager at NATO focusing on industrial security.  At one of agency wide meetings, I asked about the threat of terrorism as the briefing focused more on cold-war type topics (mind you, this was 2011).  I was the only woman at that briefing.  The briefer looked at me like I was crazy, then scoffed at me by saying “that’s the job of the Belgian police” (in a tone of “how dare this woman ask me that question?”).  Sadly, this apathy for the state of world affairs is not uncommon in some security communities.

In my opinion, another more important question remains: how does a person who was born and raised in a city still hate it so much that it provokes them to cause such heinous crimes?  I truly don’t have an answer, however, I feel that this is something the authorities should address more in depth.  Apathy must stop.  Not only in Belgium but in the rest of the world.  How do we make all citizens, regardless or race or religion feel vested in the community they live in?  How do we make everyone feel a deep sense of citizenship?

I may not have the answers to the questions above, but one thing I am certain of:  these cowardly acts will not prevent me from continuing my yearly travels to Brussels or even living there again.  Because for every negative experience I had in Brussels, there are 100 memories to counter.  When we stop living, traveling, enjoying the lifestyle we’ve earned, that’s when they win.  Je Suis Bruxelles.

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Audrey’s take on The Dominican Hotel Bar:

Since the pedestrianisation of Brussels centre, human traffic has increased considerably. There remains however a hidden gem tucked away behind the theatre in the heart of the city, which provides an oasis of calm in the bustling city. The Dominican Hotel is a member of the elegant Design Hotels of the World boasting heigh ceilings and cloisters incorporated into the design of the hotel, reminiscent of the Dominican Abbey located there in the 15th century. The site of The Dominican was also home to the well-known French painter Jacques-Louis David. After his death in 1825, the house he lived in was named after him.

David is well-known for his last great masterpiece ‘Mars disarmed by Venus and the Three Graces’ which he completed in this house. The original façade of Jacques-Louis David’s home has remained intact and was integrated into the design of The Dominican. The Dominican’s Grand Lounge provides a large selection of seating, in the form of high chairs at the bar, comfy sofas along the windows or plump chairs beside the ‘open fire’. The “Food Book” contains several pages of cocktails, priced between €11 and €15.50, and all expertly made by the talented barmen (who we hear have taken training in London for the job).

My ‘boy’ has recently taken to their Basil Smash (€13,00) and the other gents in the group were quick to follow suit, ordering this Tanqueray Gin, lime juice, fresh basil and sugar melange, barely shaken, and poured over ice (to protect that precious basil fragrance no doubt).

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The Scene:  I met my friends for a catch up dinner at The Gramm Restaurant.  The restaurant is simple, with clean lines and very little décor. However, the little details you do see capture the theme of the restaurant oh so perfectly.  The creative neon sign of the restaurant logo, a glass bar cart where tableside cocktails are made, and an open kitchen.  The dining room is long and narrow and there are a few outdoor tables.

About the Chef: Chef Erwan Kenzo Nakata is a young Franco-Japanese chef from the south of France.  His menu reflects his upbringing between France and Japan.  You’ll see those influences in the miso glazed fish or the smoked salmon garnished with edamame.  Chef Nakata and his young, energetic staff also focus on sustainability, sourcing their produce from local farms and adding organic wines to their list.  We spent hours eating, drinking and talking and had the opportunity to chat with the chef as they were wrapping up in the kitchen. We loved listening to him talk about his passion for food and what inspired him to create his menus.

The Food:  The Gramm Restaurant Brussels does not have a fixed menu but rather a tasting menu which changes daily depending on the availability of ingredients.  The six course tasting menu is 42 Euros.  We started the evening with the restaurant signature drink: a gin and tonic of gin distilled in Flanders.  Although I don’t remember the name of the gin, I sure remember the warm, herbal flavor of the drink.

The dishes arrived in creatively concocted plates.  The portions were small but packed in flavors.  We started with smoked salmon with thinly sliced black radish and edamame.  We continued on with a poached egg with a pulverized bacon garnish.  The heavier dishes consisted of a fish topped with black roe and a succulent cut of duck breast.  We concluded the meal with a rhubarb sorbet with cream.  The dishes were light yet satisfying.

The Service:  Brussels has a reputation for bad service, especially in restaurants.  My friends who live in Brussels and I, a six year expat veteran of the city were amazingly pleased with the service of the restaurant.  We heard our server talking to patrons in English, French, and Dutch.  When my friend said she did not eat pork, the server immediately provided her with an alternative dish of mushrooms. What we appreciated the most is that he thoroughly described each dish that was presented to us.

The Verdict:  Whether you are local or visiting the Brussels, The Gramm Brussels is definitely a Dining Traveler pick for a unique dinner away from the madness of the Grand Place area yet walking distance to the city center.  Between the tasting menu, cocktail, and two bottles of wine, our check came to 75 Euros per person (4 people). Very reasonable for the superb quality of food and excellent service.

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I am beyond excited to share a bit of Brussels with The Dining Traveler readers. This beautiful and underestimated city has been my home since 2002 and every day I fall more in love it (even if I now live in the “suburbs”).  Brussels is diverse, international, sometimes chaotic but utterly charming. It has the great advantages of big capitals without the pollution or costs of other major European capitals.  Brussels has an indescribable effect on people, the more you stay, the less you want to leave but no one understands why.

One of my favorite weekend routines, especially during spring time is to walk around Ixelles Lake, go to the Saturday Flagey market, and people watch while I sip a fresh mint tea from Café Belga.  I am obsessed with markets as they are the best portraits of a city.  Flagey market is very  popular among students and expats: it showcases a variety of fruit and veggie stands and small eats on Saturdays and Sundays.  The Champagne & Oyster bar on the market is a popular stop when the sun is out and an ultimate favorite to meet friends for a chat and quick catch up.

Indulge in Brussels Local Food:

Belgian & Edgy (splurge!): Rouge Tomate. Rouge Tomate has  wonderful and creative Belgian fusion dishes.  The interior is very beautiful and service is top notch, a total package culinary destination. One of my favorite restaurants to splurge!  Sentimental note: this was the first fine restaurant Jessica aka Dining Traveler ate at when she moved to Brussels in 2006!

Comfort & Budget (cheap eats): The fab burgers at Manhattn’s (Avenue Louise 164, 1050 Ixelles). It’s my new favorite burger place in the city but what I love the most is the fun, relaxed and helpful service.  A must after a busy day of shopping!

Yummy Japanese (ethnic): Izakaya (Chaussée de Vleurgat 123, 1000 Brussels) I used to live next door to this authentic Japanese restaurant and it never disappointed. Their sushi is the freshest in the city and their teppan dishes and yakitoris are worth the (sometimes long) wait.

Drink:

High-End:  Ideal for after- work drinks is the amazing bar at the Crystal Lounge of the Sofitel Brussels Le Louise. The decoration is modern, sophisticated and dreamy, the service super friendly.  I had the honor of trying The Angers-lima, a cocktail created by the very talented bartender Fabian van Roy.  The Angerslima has pisco, minth liquor, amaretto, cranberry juice, egg white and lime! Fabian made it to the prestigious Belgian Giffard West Cup Preselection with this cocktail and now is his signature drink at the bar. Being a cocktail lover I went to cocktail heaven with this!

Casual: Have a cold Leffe or a fruity Lindemans Kriek (cherry beer) at Café Belga, absolutely fun atmosphere day or night, sunshine or rain!  Cafe Belga brings together local bohemians, students, and expats in suits.  The ample indoor space welcomes DJ’s and live music from time to time on the weekends and the outdoor terrace is prime people watching real estate.  Sentimental note: Jessica aka The Dining Traveler went there on her first date with the Dutchman!

See:  There is so much to see and experience in Brussels, this is just a little glimpse of Ixelles (I had to start with my favorite part of the city) but I am looking forward  to share the fun and delicious places of all other Brussels neighborhoods.  For more tips, check out The Dining Traveler Weekend Trip Guide to Brussels.  Have you been to Ixelles?  What’s your favorite part of the commune? Share it with us on the comment box!

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Luxury Travel:   The Hotel Brussels has just undergone a massive renovation.  Located on Chaussée de Waterloo among luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton, Armani, and Tod’s it’s the perfect place for a luxury trip to Brussels.  Tip: the higher you stay, the better the views of the city from your room.  You can see the Place du Sablon, Palais de Justice, and the beautiful architecture of the city. The rooms have comfortable beds, modern décor, neutral colors, and most importantly, tons of light (very important on a light deprived Brussels).  Local tip: head to Mamy Louise for lunch or a coffee (five minute walk) or head to the weekend antique market at Place du Sablon (10 minute walk). The Hotel Brussels, Boulevard de Waterloo 38, Bruxelles 

Affordable Design:  I don’t want to be biased but Ixelles is my favorite commune of Brussels.  It’s where the energy of the college students, the international vibe of the expats, and locals come together. I was fortunate to have lived there for six years.  So many great places to see, eat, shop in the commune. On an unassuming side street off Place Stephanie, there’s Zoom Hotel, a new photography inspired hotel in the city.  The rooms are decorated with photos of the city taken by local artists. The rooms range from 80-130 Euros a night and are large and comfy. Mingle with guests and locals alike at the lobby café.   The metro, tram, and bus are very close by.  Local Tip: Head to Rue de Bailli, a 10 minute walk from the hotel for local shops and restaurants (one of my favorite for cocktails is Roxi and DOD for shopping designer deals) Hotel Zoom, Rue de la Concorde 59-61, Bruxelles 

Design: If you love design, The Dominican Hotel in the city center is the place for you.  The Dominican monastery turned hotel is perfect for a romantic city trip or a luxury getaway with friends.  I love the open courtyard of the hotel, popular with locals for weekend cocktails or a coffee break.  As you walk through the dark hallway to your room, you are accompanied by soft music and taken to a quaint, gorgeously decorated room with hints of green and purples.  The tub is deep, perfect for a soak after a long flight (aromatic bath salts included).  Make sure to have cocktails at the bar, they are simply delicious.  Local Tip:  Walk to Place Saint Gery (five minute walk) for drinks at one of my favorite spots: Halles de Saint Gery. On Saturdays, head to Place Saint Catherine (five minute walk) for the markets. The Dominican Hotel, Rue Leopold 9, Bruxelles 

Art Lovers:  I first experienced Hotel Bloom! in 2009 to plan a work event and was captivated by the original concept of the hotel.  I soon returned for dinner at Smoods, the hotel restaurant which five years later is still popular among the locals, especially on the weekends since they have a DJ. What makes Hotel Bloom so original is the art work in the rooms. No two rooms are alike. My room during my stay December 2014 was hand painted by a Ukranian artist and it had a really cool view of the Botanique (the botanical garden of Brussels).  Stay highlight:  breakfast. Not only does it have a wide selection but it also has a waffle truck inside the breakfast room!   Local Tip: The Botanique has some amazing concerts in their initamate venue, make sure to check out their schedule. Although the neighborhood has its rough parts, the metro is located right next to the hotel and there is a tram stop right in front of the hotel so accessibility is perfect.Hotel Bloom! Rue Royale 250, Bruxelles

At home with locals: I love the concept of a bed and breakfast hosted by locals.  My Italian friends Pietro and Mario opened Sleeping in Brussels, bed and breakfasts in the heart of the city with two houses on Rue de l’Eclipse.  They both have lived in Brussels for decades and know the city like the back of their hand.  Pietro also owns a wine bar nearby, Winehouse Osteria and  a wine online wine shop, Only Great Wines.  I used to order Italian wines from them when I used to live in Brussels for my dinner parties. The rooms make you feel at home with personal touches and breakfast. Another perk is that the bed and breakfast is LGBT friendly but also caters to all visitors (I gifted my friends a stay for their wedding present there, they loved it).  Local Tip: Do you love Salsa?  Walk over to Che Havana, a small salsa bar on a side street of the Grand Place for live music and delicious mojitos.Sleep in Brussels, Rue de l’Eclipse 7, Bruxelles

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During the holidays, I spent a few days in Brussels visiting friends and researching the local hotel scene. One of the hotels that appealed to me was The Dominican Hotel Brussels. I used to go there quite often for a quiet cocktail with friends. To me, it always seemed like a luxurious oasis in the middle of the chaotic city center of Brussels. On a quiet side street facing the back of La Monnaie, the Opera House of Brussels the former Dominican monastery turned hotel resides. Tip: Go to the café at La Monnaie, it’s quite popular with locals.

Facade of The Dominican Hotel in Brussels

Room:

My room at The Dominican Hotel Brussels was a deluxe room. Loved the simple décor of the room and its masculine colors and details. The dark curtains were perfect for taking a post flight nap and there was plenty of light from the courtyard when I needed it.  The hotel has free wifi and plenty of outlets to plug all my devices in. The bed was plush and comfortable but the highlight was the bathtub. After a long day at the Christmas Markets, I treated myself to a long bath in the deep bathtub (sea salts included).

Room at The Dominican Hotel Brussels

Food and Bar:

The food and bar of the hotel are quite popular with locals so I suggest to make a reservation if you plan to dine, especially on the weekend. The bar has been one of my favorite cocktail bars in the city for several years now. It’s the perfect place to catch up with an old friend, go on a date, or just decompress after a long day of sightseeing.  The breakfast, in Belgian fashion is also delicious. The restaurant area faces the courtyard of the hotel, where you can sit in the summertime.

Location:

If you are on a short trip and want to see all the important sights, The Dominican Hotel Brussels is in the perfect location.  The property is just a short walk from popular attractions such as the Grand Place, Place Saint Catherine, Sablon, among others.  The metro DeBrouckere is a short walk from the hotel and there are plenty of buses and trams nearby as well. If you’re a foodie, you will love the seafood restaurants near Place Saint Catherine. If you love to shop, head to Rue Dansaert which is hopping with new Belgian designers and hip vintage shops.

Cocktails at The Dominican Hotel Brussels

Verdict: The Dominican Hotel Brussels 

If you want to be in the middle of it all but still appreciate anonymity, The Dominican Hotel Brussels is the place for you. One of the things I enjoyed the most was walking to all the attractions I love about the city center and then retiring to a quiet and peaceful room. For tips on what to do on a weekend trip to Brussels, check out my Weekend Guide to Brussels.

The Dominican Hotel Brussels, Rue Léopold 9, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium, Website 

Decor at The Dominican Hotel

* Disclaimer: My stay at The Dominican Hotel Brussels was sponsored by the hotel. As always opinions are my own and I only write about the things I love. 

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