Top 5 boutique hotels in Brussels

People often struggle to suggest hotels in their own cities – after all, we don’t stay in them and visitors usually stay with us. But with all the traffic Brussels receives for meetings and conferences and tourism, there are many options of places to stay, from the grand hotel chains to the tiny bed and breakfasts.

A few weeks ago in The Bulletin’s list of seven of the coolest hotels in Belgium, we learned about Funkey Hotel, where for as low at €59 you can get a night's stay with breakfast, beer and board games included. But what if you’re looking for something less…funky? A boutique hotel might be just what you’re looking for: small, luxury hotels with an eye for comfort and design, but usually only a few rooms.

Here are five boutique hotels where you can rest your weary head.

1. Pacific Hotel
If location is your main concern then Rue Dansaert’s Pacific Hotel is a quirky delight. With a clean, minimalist decor, this 12-room guesthouse has a modern but comfortable look and feel. Smack in the heart of the city centre, guests don’t have to go far to find a great bar or restaurant, along with many of the main tourist attractions. But if you don’t feel like venturing out, there’s also a cosy champagne and wine bar in the hotel. Room prices range from €129 to €169.

2. Be Manos
A luxury hotel five minutes' walk from Midi Station in a neighbourhood not so known for its luxury, Be Manos claims to be the first “design boutique luxury hotel in Brussels”. Design is the word, as every feature – from the wallpaper to the light fixtures to the breakfast tables – are the work of a long list of top European designers. Black and chrome dominate, giving the hotel a masculine vibe, underscored by the large, provocative prints by Belgian photographer Carol Kohen that you’ll find throughout.

For some, the location may lack charm, though it’s perfect for anyone with an early Eurostar or Thalys to catch who is looking for a bit of luxury. Prices range from €139 to €349.

3. Odette en Ville
Again, black is a theme at the trendy Odette en Ville in Ixelles (pictured). But unlike the steely design of Be Manos, this 1920s boutique hotel, formerly a private residence, manages a wholly cosy, at-home charm. With only eight rooms and a warm, inviting lounge with fireplace, Odette en Ville is a place you want to curl up after a day on the town. While it’s a tram ride to get to the city centre, you’re a quick walk to many of the city’s nicest neighbourhoods, including the nearby Place du Chatelain and Rue du Bailli with plenty of shopping, restaurants and a Wednesday market. Rooms from €275 to €450.

4. Le Dixseptieme
Walking into Le Dixseptieme feels like you’ve time-travelled into the country home of 18th-century gentry. Old-style furniture and baroque chandeliers adorn these 24 guest rooms and suites, lending it a bygone elegance combined with modern-day comfort. But Dixseptieme’s top feature is its location. Situated between the Grand Place and the Mont des Arts, the hotel puts you at a walking distance from all of Brussels' city centre and has easy access to public transport and the central train station. Rooms from €140 to €450 for double occupancy.

5. Pantone
A hotel of a different colour, the Pantone spares no expense to drive home its polychromatic theme. Every floor and room is designed according to the patented Pantone colour system. Found just off Avenue Louise in Saint Gilles, each of its large, luxurious rooms is heavily accented with a given colour, from the light fixtures to the toilet paper. What isn’t an accent is bright white, creating a stark, but not overwhelming contrast. Rooms start at €90.

Photo courtesy Odette en Ville