Brussels accommodations
Brussels accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “Comic City” and “City of Beer”.
Brussels known for: castles / palaces, giant atom, museums, theaters, Cathedrals / Basilicas, squares, thoroughfares, gardens, parks, forests, art nouveau architecture, comic art
Brussels is located in northern Belgium, about 35 miles south of Antwerp. A distinct administrative enclave, the Brussels-Capital Region is surrounded by the Flemish Region of Flanders. Central Brussels in known as “the Pentagon”.
Brussels main attractions: Grand Place (city square – 14th-century historic buildings), Atomium (giant stainless steel atom – exhibitions, escalators, views), Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert (ornate shopping center – arched-glass roof, high-end shops, theaters, eateries), St. Michael & St. Gudula Cathedral (Belgium’s national church – royal weddings, funerals, Brabant-Gothic style), Parc de Bruxelles (royal park / former hunting ground – statues, fountain, outdoor theaters), Royal Palace of Brussels (downtown area – landscaped garden, museums, architecture), Royal Palace of Brussels (constitutional monarchy palace – throne, state rooms, summer tours), Royal Belgian institute of Natural Sciences (natural history museum – dinosaurs, animal specimens, minerals, interactive exhibits), Cambre Woods (park – trees, water features, est. 1861), The Lobster House (old-fashioned seafood restaurant), Mini-Europe (miniature theme park – European landmarks, 1:25 scale, Big Ben, Eiffel Tower, etc.), Wolf Food Market (food vendors – street food, craft beer, wine), Ancienne Belgique (concert venue – restaurant), Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (art museum), Fin de Siècle (Belgian restaurant), Parc de Laeken – Royal Parc (expansive park – magnolia trees, Leopold I monument), Royal Circus (live music venue / circular auditorium – dance, comedy, live music), National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg (Basilica – cupola-topped, 2 towers & museums, art deco style), Église Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon (15th-century Catholic church – baroque chapels, Gothic architecture), Musée Horta (museum / architect Victor Horta house & studio – art nouveau stained glass, mosaics, furnishings), La Monnaie – De Munt (performing arts theater – Classical facades, marble halls, opera, music recitals, dance performances), Tour & Taxis (exhibition & trade center), Fuse (nightclub)
Surrounding-Brussels points of interest: Kruidtuin Botanical Garden (greenhouse, plant displays, est. 1738), Provinciedomein Kessel-Lo (expansive park – swimming pools, playgrounds, ponds, padal boats, petting zoo, café), Park van Tervuren (park – museum, paths, lakes, wildlife), Groot Begijnhof Leuven (historical buildings / former religious women’s village), Groot-Bijgaarden Castle (17th-century castle – moat-encircled, drawbridge, redbrick tower, gardens), Parc de Wolvendael (park), Arenberg Castle (16th-century castle / university – tours), Folon Foundation (immersive museum / castle grounds – expansive park), Museum David and Alice van Buuren (art museum / art deco house – Dutch Masters paintings, manicured grounds / labyrinth), Arboretum Tervuren (garden), Castle Terblock (event venue), Zoniënwoud (national forest), The Royal Golf Club of Belgium
Brussels main airport: Brussels Airport
Airport car rental agencies: SIXT, Europcar, UFODRIVE
Brussels main Christmas Market: Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d’Hiver / Winterpret – city center – hundreds of wooden chalets)
Brussels top events: Tomorrowland (music festival), Brussels International Film Festival, Art Brussels, KUNSTENFESTIVALDESARTS (theater festival), Brussels Food Festival, Belgian Beer Weekend, Comic Con Brussels
More fun things: Belgian Beer World & Rooftop Ticket, Beer Tasting Tour, Chocolate Tasting Tour
Brussels professional football clubs are RSC Anderlecht, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and RWDM. A few days in Brussels should be plenty to see the sights. Beer enthusiasts especially should enjoy Brussels, which makes for a solid central point in conjunction with Belgium’s other areas. Keep in mind that there can be some gritty places near the city’s main train station. Brussels currency is the Euro, cars travel on the right-hand side and the legal drinking ages are 16 years old for beer and 18 years old for liquor. Brussels accommodations are some of Northwestern Europe’s best. Before we get to Brussels accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
Stone Age settlements have been discovered near Grand Place and the Tomberg Metro station. A large, former industrial site, the Tour & Taxis area was once occupied by Romans. The Frankish Empire absorbed Brussels following the decline of the Western Roman Empire. Legend has it that Brussels was founded on Saint-Gery Island circa 580 AD, with an official founding date around 979 attributed to Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine. Holy Roman Emperor Otto II appointed Charles as Duke of Lower Lotharingia circa 977. Charles’ daughter Gerberga wed Count Lambert “the Bearded, who thus at the turn of the first millennium gained the County of Brussels. Due to its location between the Flemish cities of Bruges and Ghent and the Kingdom of Germany city of Cologne, Brussels became a commercial center, particularly in textiles, during the Middle Ages. Brussels’ first walls were built in the early-13th century. An old Romanesque church was replaced by the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula beginning in 1225. Another marriage influenced Brussels during the 14th century. Through the marriage of Countess of Flanders heiress Margaret III and Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, Anthony, Duke of Brabant, House of Valois, was born. The January 5, 1477 Battle of Nancy between the Duchy of Burgundy and the Duchy of Lorraine resulted in a Lorraine-Swiss victory, death of Charles the Bold, end of the Burgundian Wars and dissolution of the Burgundian State. Thereafter, the Low Countries fell under Habsburg sovereignty. Charles V, King of Spain, became ruler of the Habsburg Empire in 1519, with Brussels serving as a major city. The lace industry sprung-up during the 16th & 17th centuries, but subsequently unraveled due to a destructive bombardment during the Nine Years’ War. Around 4,000 buildings were destroyed, along with Grand Place. Following the War of the Spanish Succession’s 1706 Battle of Ramillies, Brussels fell to the Anglo-Dutch. Austrian Netherlands took control of the area following the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht. France annexed the Southern Netherlands in 1795. Following Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, France lost control of the area circa 1815. Brussels became the capital of South Brabant under King William I of Orange. Brussels was starting point for the Belgian Revolution in 1830. Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians, destroyed the city walls following his ascension to the throne on July 21, 1831. Grand buildings were constructed in the late-19th century. The 1897 Brussels International Exhibition hosted about 7.8 million people. Germany occupied Brussels during both World War I & II. Brussels Airport began as a German military airport. The city’s railway system expanded after the World Wars, and the first Metro line began operating in 1976. On June 18, 1989, the Brussels-Capital Region was formed.
Home to around 1.25 million Bruxellois (French) / Brusselaars (Dutch), the Brussels-Capital Region is comprised of 19 municipalities. Keep in mind that the City of Brussels (population 190k) differs from the Brussels-Capital Region (population 1.25 mil.). The City of Brussels total area measures 12.78 square miles, whereas the Brussels-Capital Region area is 62.71 square miles. City of Beer is home to some impressive art nouveau architecture, examples of which being Hôtel Tassel and Stoclet Palace (built 1911). Brussels’ tallest building is South Tower at 490 feet. Local foods include frites (fries), moules-frites (mussels), stoemp (sausage, mashed potatoes & vegetables), carbonnade flamande (beef stew), chicons au gratin (endives), chocolate and of course Belgian waffles. Traditional beer types are lambic & gueuze and kriek, while blondes, tripels, pilsners, lagers and craft beers are also found widely. Equipped with some background information on the area, we’re ready for Brussels accommodations that are sure to impress.
Hotel Amigo
Rue de l’Amigo 1-3, Brussels City Center
Manneken Pis
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, spa, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, parking, airport transfer
Nearby restaurants / bars: Ristorante Bocconi (Italian restaurant), Ballekes (Belgian restaurant), Bar Magritte (bar)
Nearby misc.: Obe Belgian waffles (dessert shop), Corné Dynastie centrum (chocolate shop), Xing Fu Tang Belgium – Grand Place (bubble tea store), Rhum Attitude Bruxelles (store), L’Abeille Blanche (tattoo shop), A Zonzo Tour (tour agency), Everard ‘T Serclaes (“good luck” statue)
Within feet:
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- Manneken Pis (bronze sculpture / fountain)
- Beer Museum
- The Music Village
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Within 3.4 miles:
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- Mini-Europe
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Hotel Amigo, a Rocco Forte Hotel is 7 miles from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $1,063
Pillows City Hotel Brussels Centre
Parochiaansstraat 15-27
St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral | Brussels Park | La Grand Place | Belgian Comic Strip Center
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, buffet breakfast (surcharge), terrace, gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, laundry facilities, meeting rooms, parking
Nearby: Heritage Kitchen (restaurant), Sandwicherie O Pressé (sandwich shop), Tae’s sandwich (sandwich shop), Café de La Presse, BARKBOY (coffee shop)
Within feet:
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- St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral
- Brussels Park (expansive park)
- La Grand Place (main square)
- Belgian Comic Strip Center (comics museum)
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Pillows City Hotel Brussels Centre is 27 minutes from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Suite): $475
Hotel Fleur de Ville
46B Rue du Fossé aux Loups
National Bank of Belgium Museum | Wolf Food Market Brussels | Théâtre des Martyrs
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, breakfast, fitness center, soundproofing, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, tea / coffee makers, mini-bars, 24-hour front desk
Nearby restaurants / bars: Frank. (brunch restaurant), WOWCRAB Brussels (restaurant), Aki Ramen (Ramen restaurant), Mine Madeh (fast food restaurant), Comic Sans Brussels (bar), Claire’s Café (bar)
Nearby misc.: La Natura (sandwich shop), CoCo Bubble Tea – Fossé aux Loups (bubble tea store), Brussels Yoga Pilates (yoga studio), Brussels Pub Crawl (tour operator), Beer Tasting Experience in Brussels (tour operator), Bean to Bar Chocolate Workshop – Brussels
Within feet:
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- National Bank of Belgium Museum
- Wolf Food Market Brussels
- Théâtre des Martyrs
- Martelaarsplein
- Cathédrale Saints Michel Et Gudule
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Within 2.8 miles:
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- Enclos des Fusilles Forest
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Hotel Fleur de Ville is 5 miles from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night (The Beyaert Suite): $935
Bxlroom Guesthouse
Rue du Marché au Charbon 67
Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie
Guesthouse amenities: free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, hairdryers, express check-out
Nearby restaurants / bars: Ginette au Secours (restaurant), Tapas Locas (Tapas restaurant), Mam Mam (Thai restaurant), St-Jacques (bar)
Within feet:
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- Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie (opera house)
- Scientastic
- Brussels Stock Exchange
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Approximate cost per night: $376
NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon
Rue Bodenbroek 2/4
Place du Grand Sablon
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, buffet breakfast (surcharge), gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge service, luggage storage, laundry facilities, meeting rooms, conference center, parking
Nearby restaurants / bars: MOLFAR (fine dining restaurant), Lola (French restaurant), Hispania Brussels (Spanish restaurant), El Quetzal (Mexican restaurant), POZ” Sablon (brunch restaurant ), Pigeon Bar (cocktail bar)
Nearby misc.: FINE SABLON (bakery), Passion Chocolat (chocolate artisan), Pierre Marcolini Zavel (chocolate artisan), Gaston Sablon (ice cream shop), Christian Louboutin Brussels Store (shoe store), Quo Vadis (beauty salon), Atelier de la Barbière (barber shop), Mr Moutarde Tattoo (tattoo artisan), Objects With Narratives (art gallery)
Within feet:
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- Place du Grand Sablon (neighborhood – antiques district)
- Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
- Royal Palace of Brussels
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NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon is 23 minutes from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Junior Suite): $416
Sofitel Brussels Europe
Place Jourdan 1
Leopold Park
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, buffet breakfast (surcharge), rooftop terrace, garden, library, spa, gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge service, luggage storage, laundry facilities, business center, meeting rooms, parking
Nearby restaurants: Ellis Gourmet Burger (restaurant), Poule & Poulette Etterbeek (Place Jourdan – chicken wing restaurant), Takumi Jourdan (Ramen restaurant)
Nearby misc.: Neuhaus Chocolates, Vandenhende (chocolate artisan), Sanké Etterbeek (hair salon), darts.brussels (dart bar)
Within feet:
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- Leopold Park
- Cinquantenaire Park
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Within 1 mile:
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- Avenue Louise
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Sofitel Brussels Europe is 16 miles from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Apartment): $1,869
Cost per person (three people): $623
Art de Sejour
rue des Bogards 12
Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate | Costume and Lace Museum | Moeder Lambic Fontainas
B&B amenities: wooden floors, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, safety deposit boxes, desks, walk-in showers, hairdryers, daily breakfast, nearby public parking
Nearby: Jardin des Olives (Modern European restaurant), Mr Falafel (restaurant), Relish (coffee shop), BOA Karaoké Room (karaoke bar), Conni Kaminski (fashion designer), La Maison du Miel (honey store)
Within feet:
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- Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate
- Fashion and Lace Museum
- Moeder Lambic Fontainas (beer hall)
- Grand Place
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Within 3.2 miles:
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- Wilderbos Forest
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Art de Sejour is 6 miles from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $272
Bruxelles Apartment
Bruxelles, Brussels-Capital Region
Brussels Christmas Market
Apartment amenities: 3 bedrooms, fully-equipped kitchen, washing machine
Within feet:
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- Brussels Christmas Market (Plaisirs d’Hiver)
- St. Catherine’s Square
- Rue Neuve
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Bruxelles Apartment is 18 minutes from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $406
Cost per person (five people): $81
La Villa Maurice
Avenue Maurice 8, Elsene / Ixelles
Abdij ter Kameren
Villa amenities: à la carte breakfast, city /garden views, terrace, garden, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, tea / coffee makers, desks
Nearby: Nonbe Daigaku (authentic Japanese restaurant), Ata Bao & Burger (fast food restaurant), Café Gumo (fast food restaurant), Late Night Ixelles (restaurant), Koukou (coffee shop), Latin Coffee Food & Drinks (coffee shop)
Within feet:
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- Abdij ter Kameren (abbey)
- Michel de Ghelderode Library-Museum
- Constantin Meunier Museum
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Within 2.2 miles:
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- Egmont Palace
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Within 2.3 miles:
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- Coudenberg
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La Villa Maurice is 8 miles from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $368
Sweetwater Privé Wellness
Ophemstraat 50, Oud-Heverlee
Oud Heverlee Train Station
Home amenities: terrace, outdoor fireplace, garden, sauna, steam room, hot tub, fitness room, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, private check-in / out, free bike usage, free parking, airport shuttle
Nearby: Spaans Dak (restaurant)
Within feet:
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- Oud Heverlee Train Station
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Within 2.9 miles:
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- Rotspoel Forest
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Within 4.5 miles:
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- Grote Markt
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Sweetwater Privé Wellness is 8 miles from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $436
Cost per person (four people): $109
Ixelles Yoga Loft
Ixelles, Bruxelles
Fermento
Loft amenities: 2 bedrooms, outdoor space, gym, free Wi-Fi, fully-equipped kitchen, washing machine
Nearby: Restaurant Pizzeria L’Angolo (Italian restaurant), Fit Evolution (fitness center), Galerie DYS (art gallery), Magyar Ház (community center)
Within feet:
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- Fermento (wine bar)
- Avenue Louise
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Ixelles Yoga Loft is 16 minutes from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $674
Cost per person (five people): $134
Bruxelles Penthouse
Bruxelles
Museum of Urban Transport Brussels
Penthouse amenities: outdoor space, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, fully-equipped kitchen, washing machine, parking
Within feet:
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- Museum of Urban Transport Brussels
- Woluwe Shopping Centre
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Bruxelles Penthouse is 12 minutes from Brussels Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $188
So there they are, Brussels accommodations that will help make for an excellent trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most importantly, that you enjoy your time in Belgium!