Festive fare: Treat yourself to dinner or an overnight stay with these hotel holiday offers

If you’re home over the holiday season, there’s plenty of stylish yuletide action in hotels in Brussels and across the country. From luxury hotel chains to boutique gems, they provide the perfect antidote to ward off the winter blues with welcome gourmet indulgence and pampering.

BRUSSELS

The Avenue – Hotel Barsey

This cosy contemporary restaurant is one of Avenue Louise’s many hidden delights. From the inviting velvety décor – fusing glamour and vintage – to its generous and modern cuisine, a relaxed and convivial atmosphere reigns. For New Year’s Eve, Greek chef Nicholas Tsiknakos has created a menu (€139) that reflects his passion for the Mediterranean, exotic hints and seasonal classics. Starters include crayfish with a foie gras crème brulée and yuzu emulsion and a ravioli, soft egg yolk, cep and black truffle confection. For the main, a Galician veal fillet is served with caviar, a Corsica-inspired gravy, cavolo nero and potato espuma. Dessert is a white chocolate, lemon and pistachio delicacy. The four-star boutique hotel is an elegant address; its Surrealist design touches contributing to the snug urban experience. Avenue Louise 381-383 (Ixelles)

Hotel Indigo Brussels-City

Minutes away from Brussels’ hidden botanical gardens, this hotel’s design epitomises its urban oasis concept. In keeping with the green feel, its SERRA restaurant offers healthy plant or animal-based fare from its garden kitchen. Prices for seasonal menus, courtesy of chef Etienne Mahieu, are €85 for the four-course plant-based Christmas Eve dinner, and €110 for the five-course New Year’s Eve dinner and DJ party. Place Charles Rogier 80 (Saint-Josse-ten-Noode)

Sofitel Brussels Europe

Celebrating the famed French art de vivre, the five-star Sofitel exudes the magic of Christmas from its lofty position overlooking the famous EU quarter square. The seasonal package Candlelight Winter includes a stay in festively decorated rooms with Diptyque luxury products, a substantial breakfast and winter afternoon snack. You can also experience the high-class cooking of star chefs Gabriele Petrucci and Jean-Philippe Watteyne at the 1040 restaurant with a brasserie menu featuring delicious Belgian produce. A chic bar also awaits for cocktails or a speciality Belgian brew. Place Jourdan 1 (Etterbeek)

Martins Hotel Brussels EU

Enjoy some Christmas cheer at the luxurious Martins Hotel Brussels Centre, lying between Schuman and Ambiorix squares. Take advantage of the Martins Sweet Winter seasonal offer until 7 January. Starting from €139 for a room for two, it comes complete with a buffet breakfast and a welcome glass of homemade honey wine from the company’s own beehives. Rue Charlemagne 80

Craves

If you love the hustle bustle of Brussels city centre and its labyrinth Winter Wonders festivities, this hotel is the perfect location. The holiday ambiance starts in its lobby, strewn with twinkling lights, while the art deco-themed décor - imagine a dark voluptuous boudoir - will continue to amaze. The 59-room boutique hotel was revamped by London design studio Saar Zafrir and its Le Conteur restaurant is lively address, boating vibrant and delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. Rue Marché aux Poulets 32

Hilton Brussels Grand Place

Conveniently positioned next to Central station, this luxury chain hotel boasts a seasonal Festive Moments programme. Its Christmas chalet serves local gourmet specialities, from cheese and charcuterie and sweet and spicy gingerbread to warming hot chocolate and mulled wine until 3 January. For more substantial fare, the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant Sentro offers a festive menu (€79) until 23 December, while welcoming in the New Year with a refined dinner starring classic seasonal delicacies, including langoustine and venison (€125). Carrefour de l’Europe 3

Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher’s Brussels

The hotel (main image) marks its 110th anniversary with a ‘sparkling snow’ theme with clouds scattering flakes creating wonderland scenes. In Wiltcher’s winter chalet, join the celebrations with the ‘Iconic High Tea’ at €49. There’s also a special Sunday brunch on 25 December and other festive menus, including a gala dinner on New Year’s Eve. Until 7 January, Avenue Louise 71 (Ixelles)

Altitude 24 The Hotel

A stunning champagne and oyster roof top bar awaits on the 24th floor Panorama Lounge. Decked out in cosy, luxury chalet style, Altitude is the ideal place to watch the city lights or see fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Downstairs, a delicious brunch is available every Sunday at the Iris restaurant overlooking charming Parc d’Egmont. Until 6 January, Boulevard de Waterloo 38

Other addresses

Taking the capital’s hotel scene by storm this year The Hoxton in the Botanique area is a mammoth for its accommodation offer of 198 rooms. The renovation of brutalist-style architecture and the tower’s panoramic rooftop terrace have been winning accolades and drawing crowds since its summer opening. It’s providing catering packages for group parties wanting to celebrate to a night sky backdrop over the holiday season.

For something more intimate, Brussels abounds with boutique hotels. All beautifully decorated, take your pick from 1920s glamour at the Scott Hotel in Saint-Gilles in the style of Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’. It’s well-positioned for exploring the Place du Châtelain and uptown areas of the city.

Meanwhile, lush green vibes dominate at Urban Yard, while its location near Gare du Midi makes it ideal for transport links. Along with the Japanese minimalist Yadoya hotel and Scandinavian vibed Hotel Hygge, all of these boutique destinations owe their hip, international and eclectic style to famed Belgian designer Michel Penneman.

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Van der Valk Hotel Brussels Airport

A giant Christmas tree topped with the signature Van der Valk toucan, plus beautiful decorations and delicious food and drink await. On Christmas Day, a family brunch includes cava and a spectacular dessert buffet complete with an XL chocolate fountain. Luxurious evening buffets with endless starters and main courses are also available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Icing on the cake, at the special family Sunday brunches – available throughout the festive season – there is even a bouncy castle. Until 7 January, Culliganlaan 4b, Diegem (Flemish Brabant)

Dolce La Hulpe Brussels

A destination that combines gastronomy and wellness in a Sonian forest setting, this four-star hotel and spa lies just 15km south of Brussels. It’s a useful base for exploring the charming Walloon Brabant region, while indulging in some rural relaxation. On the festive front, a Christmas brunch kicks off with a glass of Champagne or a mocktail and promises a generous spread of savoury and sweet dishes – including oysters – accompanied by wine, beer softs, coffee or tea (€75 for adults). Dinner menus are also available in the Dolce by Wyndham restaurant on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (with DJ entertainment). Chaussée de Bruxelles 135, La Hulpe (Walloon Brabant)

Van der Valk Hotel Liège Sélys

This four-star modern complex in the historic centre was carved out of two elegant mansions. It runs promotional offers all-year-round, which are particularly popular during the holiday season when the ‘ardent’ city is awash with festivities, including its acclaimed Christmas market. Winter packages include breakfast and dinner options. A brasserie, Japanese fusion restaurant and pool and spa facilities, are high among the on-site attractions. Mont Saint-Martin 9-11, Liège

Van der Valk Hotel Ghent

Christmas promotions are enticing at this address on the outskirts of the old city. Admire its skyline from the Mr Sato bar during an overnight stay (from €189). Tuck into a delicious festive brunch or sit down to dinner on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at the Cocotte restaurant. On the menu are shiitake consommé, marinated gravad lax, halibut, guinea fowl wellington and a bitter chocolate, hazelnut, dulce de leche and pear dessert. Akkerhage 10, Ghent