Brussels: the heart of Belgium

Brussels: The European Capital

Short History of Brussels

As Belgium is a bilingual country, Brussels is as a capital of course bilingual aswell. You will notice this wherever you walk. All street names in Brussels will be shown in French aswell as in Dutch. Sadly enough many of the historic buildings have been destroyed when Brussels became the capital of Belgium, they had to make room for new ministries, schools, palaces, army barracks,... . Only the inner centre remained ( The reknown Grand Place and 4 or 5 streets leading towards the market square ) and shows the rich historic past of Brussels.

The European Quarter is a fairly new neighbourhood in Brussels and has grown fastly since Brussels became capital, there are still many projects on the way and it will take a while before all constructions in the EU quarter are finished.

Brussels National Airport

The Belgian National Airport is about 20 min outside of Brussels and knows a great connection by train and car to the capital. You travel to the airport preferably by train as Brussels has like every major city quite a rush hour problem. One can take a train to the Airport in every trainstation in Brussels and it should not take more than 20 minutes to arrive in the Airport.

Visit Brussels

Visit Brussels

A hugh amount of visitors stay in Brussels every year, most of them are tourists visiting the major cities of Belgium. Many tourists choose Brussel as a base to visit Bruges, Antwerpen and Leuven as it is centrally located between the 3 cities. Although the hotels in Bruges have far more to offer in charm than the hotels in Brussels many tourists still choose a hotel in Brussels as prices are often much lower ( certainly in the weekends ).

Grand Place in Brussels

Undoubtebly the most important landmark of Brussels. The Grand Place reflects the history of this city, the city hall is one of the finest in Belgium and at nights it has a wonderful lumination, quite a spectacle to see. All other houses on the market are at least 300 years old and remind of the times that Brussels was a world metropole.

Manneken Pis

Just a few yards away from the main market square you can find the famous 'little' statue of Manneken Pis. Too many legends go around concerning the birth of this statue, certain is that is has played a role during the entire history of this city. Traditionaly the statue is dressed every so often and has such a collection of cloths that would make any women instantly jealous.

Jubelpark

"Het Jubelpark" or Parc du Cinquantenaire is where you can find the arc de triomphe. The parc is situated in the east side of the town. While you are there you can visit the free museum "Royal Musuem of the armed forces and history".

The Atomium

The atomium was built for the world exposition of 1958 it represents a magnification of an iron crystal. ( 165 billion times). From the top sphere you can enjoy a wonderfull view over the city of Brussels. There are many expositions hosted inside the atomium, so it is always worth a visit.

Museums

As the Belgian capital Brussels has a vast amount of museums. Inform yourself well when you plan your trip to Brussels so you can visit exactly what interests you.

Hotels in Brussels

Hotels in Brussels

Brussels has a hugh amount of hotels. thus choosing a good hotel is not that easy. First you should have a look where you need to be in Brussels before choosing a hotel. Getting from one side of town to the other can be quite problematic some hours of the day. There are 4 major parts with hotels in Brussels.

Hotels in the city centre

Located in the heart of brussels only 450 meters from the famous grand-place, you will find the Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre, close to the midi and central trainstation (eurostar and thalys) and easily accessible from all major business areas of Brussels, the bedford hotel and congres centre includes 326 modern rooms and suites equipped with the latest facilities, a gastronomic restaurant, a piano bar, a cyber corner, a fitness centre with a panoramic view, a covered parking suitable for 200 cars and 18 natural lighted and air conditioned meeting rooms. The Bedford Hotel and Congres Centre is a pleasant heaven inside the busy centre.

The Dominican Hotel in Brussels is a deluxe design hotel, poised to become a destination for elegance in Brussels city centre. Stay in this hotel and experience one of the stylishly designed deluxe, executive or loft rooms. All of the hotelrooms of hotel The Dominican Brussel are equipped with all modern amenities. Award winning architects have created an eclectic mix of design in both interior and exterior - resulting in an array of new styles and experiences. High ceilings and cloisters incorporated into the design of the hotel The Dominican are reminiscent of the Dominican abbey of Brussels located here in the 15th century.

The Centrale Hotel in Brussels is a charming establishment of 47 rooms ideally situated in the historic center of Brussels. Built in 2001, this boutique hotel Centrale Brussel has a warm decor, a modern equipment and a personalized attention. with the business client in mind, the hotel Centrale provides a fully equipped business center and meeting rooms. The hotel is perfectly located in the historic centre of Brussels, at only 5 minutes walk from the famous Grand Place.

Hotels in de Avenue Louise

Hotels near the Avenue Louise

The Brussels hotel part of Eurostars hotels, a spanish hotelchain, offers 69 extensive rooms, equipped of all the modern comfort (including modem and telephone with reporting line) whose 16 duplex suites are ideal for family stays (up to 4 persones). The Brussels hotel is situated on the Avenue Louise so is perfect is you need to be in this part of Brussels.

Located in the most prestigious area of Brussels, the Avenue Louise, the hotel Bristol Stephanie offers 142 rooms considered as the most spacious in Brussels all decorated in an elegant and cosy style. The hotel Brisol Stephanie is part of Thon hotels hotelchain. There are 10 fully-equipped conference rooms for a maximum capacity of 350 people in Hotel Bristol Stephanie. Stefany’s bar, and Le Chalet d’Odin restaurant which serves a refined and innovative French cuisine will add to your stay in Brussels. You will also find a fitness centre with sauna and jacuzzi in this beautiful 5-sterren hotel in Brussel.

Hotels in EU quarter and business district

Hotels in the European Quarter

Silken Berlaymont Brussels is a modern and trendy 4* hotel in the heart of the European Quarter. The hotel Silken Berlaymont is surrounded by several restaurants, bars and pubs. There is easy and direct access to the historical city centre, only 4 metro stops to the “Grand Place” and the famous shopping streets. The hotel Silken Berlaymont is a unique combination of art, culture and comfort. With its modern & impressive architecture, the fabulous design and the integration of the 21st century art, the photography, the hotel is far beyond others.

Hotel MAS Residence Brussels offers a warm and personal atmosphere in Brussels. All Suites and Apartments of our "Maison de Maître" are tastefully equipped with moder furniture to ensure a pleasant stay in Brussels: comfortable bedroom, a completely modern bathroom, a large living room with office space, telephone, high speed internet access and TV, as well as an entirely equipped kitchenette. Hotel MAS Residence is a cosy, comfortable, functional and luxury hotel in Brussels.

Hotels near the business district

Hotel Husa President Park Brussels is centrally located in the new Business District, between the Brussels Harbour, the multi-cultural site of Tour & Taxis and the Northern Railway Station of Brussels, the hotel President Park offers a completely renovated 4 star-hotel in Brussels. The spacious rooms with heavenly beds upgrade each stay in Brussels to an unforgettable experience! An enormous private garden stands for the oasis of silence within lively Brussels. This hotel is perfect if you are in Brussels for business.

The Sheraton hotel Brussels rises high above the Brussels skyline. The Sheraton Brussels hotel is a four-star hotel in the heart of the city’s business district. The hotel is situated a short stroll from Brussels’ main shopping area as well as the Grand Place. Brussels North station is only a mere five-minute walk away from the Sheraton hotel in Brussels, This hotel is a good choice for business or pleasure in the European capital city.

From Brussels ... ?

From Brussels to where ... ?

Brussels is centrally situated in Belgium so visits from Brussels to other parts of Belgium are quite easy. The maximum trainride to reach the belgian border would be 1.30 hour, this wil take you to either Luxemburg or Ostend at the seaside. Cities to visit from Brussels:

Leuven

Leuven has been since the middle ages a university and still honours that name. The catholic university of Leuven is the biggest university of Belgium. Places of interest in this city are the famous city hall which is believed to be more beautiful than Brussels and the Oude Markt, the beating heart of Leuven's students' life. There are not so many hotels in Leuven ( Theater hotel, De Klimop, Hotel Industrie, Hotel Binnenhof) so it is a good idea to remain in Brussels and visit Leuven by train ( 25 min from Brussels.)

Antwerp

Antwerp is a city known all over the world. Is is the word centre for diamond. More than 70% of all diamands come from Antwerp. As a harbour has build up quite the name. This city also finds its roots in the middle ages when in took over the leading rol of Bruges in the late 15th century before Amsterdam became the leading power. The main market square and the many churches and historic sites remind of this flourishing periode of the city's life. You could travel from Brussels and stay one night in a hotel in Antwerp to visit the city. Antwerp has quite some hotels in Antwerpen to offer and they are much cheaper than the hotels in Brussel.

Bruges

Of course there is the most famous city of them all: Bruges or in flemish "Brugge". This city must be visited if you are in Belgium. It is like this ciy has never changed since the year 1500. As it is over 1h in train to reach Bruges it is quite a good idea to spend the night in Bruges. There are over 80 hotels in Bruges, so the choice of a good hotel is not so difficult. Many hotels in Bruges are small family owned hotels with enormous charm. There are a few expensive boutique and design hotels in Bruges which offer extreme luxury in a medieval package. For example: The pand hotel in Bruges, Relais Bourgondisch Cruyse were you actually stay in a 16th century building. Hotel Die Swaene, a very romantic hotel in Bruges.