With Hotel Amigo, Rocco Forte has provided a slice of pure luxury in the Belgian capital – with more than a little help from some local heroes
When you think of Brussels, the first things which stereotypically spring to mind are insanely powerful beer, mussels with fries, and chocolate. Fairly delicious, yet fairly unremarkable.
Brussels is often written off as boring – home to the EU but not much else. It doesn’t really stand out as a place for a city break in the way Paris or Milan or Madrid do.
This is a shame, as Brussels actually has a buzzing nightlife (to be expected, with all that 9%-and-upwards ale), stunning art galleries and architecture, and a relaxed, friendly attitude among its people, which is far from the slight aloof-ness which can be encountered in those other European capitals.
Thanks to the renowned British hotelier Rocco Forte, it also has a luxury hotel any of them would be proud of.
WHY STAY HERE?
The main attraction of Brussels is the UNESCO Heritage Site of the Grand-Place. Hotel Amigo is on one of the streets which forms a side to the square. The proximity really is a highlight, especially if you land a room (as we did) on a high floor and facing the ancient town hall, as the view of the gothic rooftop is amazing.
Heading into the square to see the extravagant buildings on the remaining three sides is a must, both in daytime when it is thronged with tourists and in the night, when the buildings are all lit up beautifully.
From here you are within walking distance of all the tourist hotspots. The (slightly bizarre) “peeing trio” (seriously, Google it) of statues ranks among my favourites, purely because it’s so ridiculous, but there’s also the famous antique shops around Sablon, the maze of ancient cobbled streets which makes up the old centre, more modern shopping in the up-market Lousie district, and a raft of art museums which display old masters from throughout the history of the region.
In the evenings, the centre of Brussels comes alive; bars are open late and love live music and local restaurants serve hearty plates to help fuel a long night of partying. The local specialty is Carbonnade Flamande – a thick, rich beef stew which will heat you from the inside long into the wee hours – but there is also all the international cuisine you would expect from a cosmopolitan capital.
Should you choose to remain on-site at Hotel Amigo, the rooms are more than comfortable enough for an evening spent with a streaming service and the cocktails in the bar are about the best in town – perfect for a cosy night in.
HOW’S THE FOOD?
Breakfast and dinner are served in Bocconi, a stylish Italian with large booths for groups and delicate tables for more intimate meals. Sadly you won’t find any of that carbonnade here – it’s an altogether more refined dining experience, with special little details like olive oil sourced from Rocco Forte’s Verdura estate in Sicily – but you will find classic Italian dining to rival anything else in town. For breakfast the vibe becomes much more laidback, with a large and varied buffet spread complemented by a strong à la carte offering (try the pancakes).
The real star of the show is Bar Magritte. Hotel Amigo is proud of its association with some of Belgium’s most famous cultural icons, and the bar celebrating the surrealist master is at the heart of that philosophy.
Gentle live jazz provides an elegant, subtle soundtrack to a night spent with some of the most creative cocktails you’ll find anywhere, created by legendary mixologist Salvatore Calabrese and inspired by Magritte’s most famous works: highlights included the Good Faith, a smoky delight presented in a glass pipe reminiscent of Magritte’s legendary pipe paintings.
WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
This building actually once housed a prison – Karl Marx spent some time there, though I suspect less comfortable than mine – but thankfully the accommodations today don’t give away that history in their makeup.
Ceilings may be a little low but floor space is ample, and the standard of finish is exactly what one would expect from a Rocco Forte hotel. Rooms are cosy and comfortable, with plenty of room to lounge in and large bathrooms stocked with Irene Forte luxury products. If you’ve opted for a leisurely evening of pampering and unwinding, they make the perfect space.
Suites are sprawling and opulent, and it’s in the signatures that the love affair with Brussels’ most celebrated citizens continues. The Tintin suite will be a favourite with fans of the comic strip – like Steven Spielberg, who stayed here and left a signed print when he was in town to make the move – with references to the detective’s most famous exploits and sidekicks throughout; legendary fashion designer Diane von Fustenberg has her own suite furnished with memorabilia from throughout her glittering career, including 2 silk scarves made by Andy Warhol and hand-written messages from the designer herself on the walls.
If Brussels is not often thought to be as glamorous as its cousins in Paris and Amsterdam, it can only be through lack of awareness of all the city has to offer. There is enough art and culture and food and drink and joy in this ancient town to entertain even the most discerning of international travellers, and in Hotel Amigo Brussels has a truly world-class luxury hotel for them to stay in.
Rooms from €380; roccofortehotels.com
