Brussels offers a range of super-stylish meeting venues that are a world away from the city’s staid image, says Michelle Mannion.
THE DOMINICAN
Open since November 2007, the Dominican is the only Brussels property in the Design Hotels portfolio. As the name hints, it’s located on the site of a 15th-century abbey, and this has been used as the inspiration for the stylish décor. High ceilings, elegant archways and Gregorian music in the lifts create a monastic feel, while the sense of calm and green central courtyard make it a peaceful retreat from the buzz of the city – and a good place for holding fruitful meetings.
Located a few minutes’ walk from the Grand Place, Brussels’ central square, the luxury hotel has 150 guest rooms. The three meeting rooms, ranging from 31 to 83 sqm in size, are on the ground floor and can be joined together to hold 300 people for a reception. All with natural daylight, they are well-equipped and have long glittery chandeliers running almost the width of the rooms, while the green and brown colour palette creates an earthy feel.
The biggest venue faces the courtyard, which can be used for coffee breaks and holds 50-60 delegates for a reception in warmer weather. The restaurant is next to the meeting rooms and seats 100 people. There is free wifi throughout the hotel along with a gym, sauna and hammam for re-energising after a hard day’s work.
9 Rue Léopold; tel +32 2203 0808; thedominican.be
HOTEL BLOOM
“Stay away from the ordinary” is the Hotel Bloom’s catchphrase, and that’s reflected throughout the property’s extensive meeting spaces – with bowls of Chupa Chup lollies and glass-topped tables full of marbles, the emphasis is on fun and creativity. The three-star hotel is close to Brussels Nord station and has a fresh feel, with most of the 305 bedrooms featuring frescos by European art students.
The 12 meeting rooms hold from ten to 400 people and are split between the first and lower-ground floors. Downstairs are the banqueting rooms, where mirrors and pale walls have been used to combat low ceilings and a lack of natural light. The two largest venues can be combined to hold 350 people for a banquet, and there’s also a funky red mezzanine area with sofas and PCs, and a pre-function foyer.
The smaller rooms upstairs have multi-coloured boards on the walls for brainstorming. The Oo restaurant can host events for up to 120 people, while Smoods “living room and kitchen” is ideal for one-to-ones.
250 Rue Royale; tel +32 2220 6611; hotelbloom.com
SOFITEL BRUSSELS LE LOUISE
If you’re looking for a luxury setting for your event, look no further than the Sofitel – it feels plush from the moment you enter, with decadent pink chandeliers, big silver armchairs and a long, undulating purple sofa. The décor of the 170-room hotel was revamped last year and is the work of renowned Belgian interior designer and restaurateur Antoine Pinto.
There is a range of meeting spaces depending on your needs. Three 80 sqm rooms on the lobby level are named after precious stones and can accommodate up to 75 people in each, with two of them combining to host 150 theatre-style. Each room is decorated in soft colours with natural light, dressed chairs and soundproofing.
There’s also the chic Rubis room, which holds 200 people and opens on to a well-groomed terrace with space for 300, as well as a cosy library that can serve as a breakout area. The Crystal lounge is a glamorous bar and restaurant that can seat 80 people, with an area at the end that can be curtained off for private dining.
The hotel is steps away from Avenue Louise, Brussels’ most exclusive shopping street, so you can ensure you’re dressed to impress, too.
40 Avenue de la Toison d’Or; tel +32 2514 2200; sofitel-brussels-le-louise.com
ROYAL WINDSOR HOTEL
Even the refined Royal Windsor hotel is getting in on the arty act – among its newest additions are 12 “fashion” bedrooms styled by a dozen Belgian designers. Nina Meert’s room, in particular, is stunning – a Grecian-style creation with billowing fabrics and nude statues. A treat for the event organiser, perhaps?
Elsewhere, the Warwick Hotels property, which has stood “99 steps from the Grand Place” since 1973, is more traditional in style. A renovation of all the 266 guest rooms and public areas was completed last year, and the 15 meeting rooms can accommodate 12 to 300 people. These include the Salon Westminster, the largest, which divides in two and has its own entrance and pre-function area; and the Salon Duquesnoy, which also splits in half and can host drinks for 150. There are also nine boardrooms with leather executive-style chairs; the Waterloo bar, which holds 50 people and can be used for coffee breaks; and the 150-capacity banqueting room Salon Grand Place.
Launching in November will be the Penthouse rooftop suite. Art nouveau in design, it will be able to accommodate 100 people theatre-style and will have a 150 sqm terrace overlooking the Grand Place.
5 Rue Duquesnoy; tel +32 2505 5555; royalwindsorbrussels.com
BE MANOS
Black is the colour of this boutique property, which opened two years ago close to Midi station, where Eurostar operates – from the bar to the 60 sleek bedrooms, it’s the overriding hue. Which is not to say the hotel has a dark feel – it’s anything but. There’s a big print in reception of 60 exuberant people dancing and blowing kisses, each of whom then adorn a bedroom door. The five floors also have their own colour theme – yellow, orange, mandarin, red and purple – with bright splashes incorporated into the décor.
The main meeting room is on the ground floor and can take up to 60 delegates theatre-style. It’s very funky, with huge glass chandeliers and cowhide-effect wallpaper. For larger functions it can combine with the restaurant next door to hold up to 250 people for a buffet – the restaurant has a rather risqué print of a woman’s stocking-clad legs. The Black lounge on the third floor has velvet sofas and shaggy rugs, and can be used for meetings of up to 30 people – it also opens on to a secluded rooftop terrace that holds 200 people. In addition, there’s an apple-themed breakfast room that could host a lunch for 25. If all this sounds a bit wacky, the group also has two traditional-style hotels in the city, and the three properties can work together on events.
23-27 Square de l’Aviation; tel +32 2520 6565; bemanos.com
HERGE MUSEUM
For an event with a twist, why not try the new Hergé Museum? Open since June, it celebrates the work of one of Belgium’s favourite sons, the creator of Tintin. Located in the university town of Louvain-la-Neuve, about a 30- to 40-minute drive, it’s a bit of a journey but when you see the building and the exhibits you’ll be won over.
Designed by Christian de Portzamparc, the museum is a light-filled, pastel-coloured structure surrounded by woods – or as the architect calls it, “an elongated prism that seems to float in the forest of ancient trees”. Eight permanent galleries showcase not only Hergé’s best-known creation but also his other comic-strip characters, and his work as an illustrator and ad designer. There’s also a screening room, a restaurant serving French and Italian food, and a temporary exhibition space.
Nearly all the spaces can be used for events from conferences and cocktail parties. Guided walking lunches for up to 100 people can be arranged, with buffets set up at various points for people to nibble on as they wander around the exhibits. The whole museum can also be hired for the day. It’s open from 10am to 6pm every day except Monday, but events can also be arranged in the evenings.
26 Rue du Labrador, Louvain-la-Neuve; tel +32 1048 8421; museeherge.com
COSPAIA
Tucked away behind the Sofitel is this incredibly slick bar-restaurant, which opened three and a half years ago. Its motto is “mystery meets gastronomy” and the décor, by Dutch designer Marcel Wolterinck, certainly lends it an intriguing air.
Upstairs from reception is a chic bar, which leads on to two dining venues – the 50-seat White room, which has a high stuccoed ceiling, marble fireplace and moody prints of Muslim men and women in traditional dress; and the 25-seat Black room, the centrepiece of which is two huge wire trees. The bar also opens on to an attractive 180 sqm roof terrace with views on to the Boulevard de Waterloo. On the third level, there is a private dining room with room for 50 people. Each of the spaces can be hired exclusively for events.
The French-influenced international menu includes dishes such as rose of lobster flavoured with truffles on a cake of summer vegetables, and sashimi of tuna and salmon wasabi with ginger marinated iwashita. Cospaia is open 12pm-2.30pm for lunch and 7pm-10.30pm, with the bar open until late. It’s closed on Sundays but group events can be arranged.
1 Kapitaine Crespel; tel +32 2513 0303; cospaia.be
