Radisson SAS has added a second hotel to its Brussels portfolio with the opening of the Radisson SAS EU hotel on June 1.
The four-star plus hotel is a new build situated a few minutes walk from the European Parliament. The hotel is around three kilometres from the city centre, around Euros 6 by taxi from Place du Luxembourg or Euros 1.50 by bus, which takes about 15 minutes.
The hotel was designed by Architect MatteoThun, who has worked with Porsche Design, Hugo Boss, Missoni, Bulgari and was also responsible for the eye-catching Radisson SAS Frankfurt amongst other projects.
The 149 rooms have three different styles: Fashion, Chic and Fresh and are both contemporary and practical, with free broadband and wifi access (as is the case throughout the Radisson SAS brand), laptop-sized safes, mini bars and separate baths and showers.
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A Fashion style room |
There are 13 business class rooms and 15 suites, a gym and sauna, and six meeting rooms which can hold up to 80 people. There is also a 24-hour kitchen at Willards Bar and Restaurant, which serves international cuisine and cocktails.
Since the soft opening in January the hotel has enjoyed occupancy of between 80 – 100 per cent during the week (60 per cent of guests are linked with EU institutions) dropping off at the weekend to between 20 and 50 per cent as EU business travellers return home.
As a result weekend room rates are attractive. Internet only rates for the weekend of 16th June were from Euros 77. Telephone/internet rates for a standard room were available from Euros 85 per night and business class rooms from Euros 125 per night including breakfast.Compare this with weekday internet only rates rates of Euros 179, with telephone/internet rates for standard rooms from Euros 209 and business class rooms from Euros 249.
Despite the low weekend rates the Radisson SAS EU has tough competition from its sister hotel, the well-established Radisson SAS Royal Hotel (radissonsas.com), which is located in the centre of the city just off the Grand Place.
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24-hour kitchen and bar |
The Royal Hotel had weekend internet rates for Euros 105, standard rooms from Euros 140 and business class rooms from Euros 150. It is 16 years old and is renowned for the two Michelin star Sea Grill fine dining restaurant (although this is shut on Saturday and Sundays) and attractive atrium lobby.
Radisson SAS EU
Rue d'Idalie 35
B- 1050 Brussels
Tel +32 2 626 81 11
brussels.eu.radissonsas.com
Report by Felicity Cousins
