Vintage Hotel

The highlights

• Stunning 20th-century urban mansion
• A short walk from Avenue Louise and the Metro
• Wine bar with hand-picked wines from a top sommelier
• Excellent breakfasts in a relaxed atmosphere
• Glamping airstream caravan on the terrace – the first in town

You should know

• There is no parking on site – paid public parking may be available nearby
• This is a non-smoking hotel

The detail

An early 1900s building with 70s-style rooms and a slick 50s Airstream caravan parked on the terrace…the aptly named Vintage Hotel is bursting with 20th-century inspiration. A stone’s throw from the most glamorous street in Brussels – boutique-packed Avenue Louise – the retro styling and a top-notch wine bar add a touch of funkiness to the Belgian capital’s fashion quarter.

This award-winning hotel offers a fine alternative to the chain hotels of Brussels city centre. Still within an easy walk of the Grand Place, Manneken Pis and countless attractions, Vintage Hotel enjoys a quiet location in the Saint-Gilles district. The pretty terrace is a lovely spot to enjoy a drink from the wine bar of Tim Vandeput, a man who knows his vintages – having previously been voted the Best Sommelier in Belgium.

Inside, the retro theme can be seen, felt and heard. The crackly vinyl sounds add an evocative soundtrack to breakfast, which is well-crafted and continental. Sourdough baguettes, raisin bread, cold meats, fruit salad… The fulsome menu also features the very best teas and coffees, so your morning espresso or cappuccino will be one to look forward to.

With a flat-screen TV, docking station, free Wi-Fi and a modern bathroom, the accommodation has all the 21st-century comforts but the décor is delightfully old-school. Colourful, glamorous and packed with vintage finds snaffled from auctions and flea markets, it’ll feel like it’s the 70s all over again.

If you fancy stepping back another couple of decades, that eye-catching caravan there is not just for show… Dating from the year of Brussels’ World Fair (that’s 1958, of course), this gorgeous Airstream is up for hire. Fully renovated with a shower, air-conditioning, a plasma TV and seating area, this vintage glamping pad is the first of its kind in Brussels.

Always lively, the city centre continues to offer culture, excellent shopping and an eclectic mix of cuisine, much of it within a short stroll of Vintage Hotel. The Palace of Justice and the intriguing Musical Instrument Museum are among the closest attractions, while the Avenue de la Toison d’Or, lined with restaurants, stores and a multi-screen cinema is just 5 minutes away. Wander down to Place Flagey or Parc d’Egmont for a peaceful moment, or head for Gare Centrale to take a train to pretty much anywhere in the land – Antwerp, Leuven and Bruges are all directly connected.

It’s no wonder Vintage Hotel has caught the eye of everyone from The Guardian and Elle to Lonely Planet and Vogue… Go see for yourself and you’ll be raving about it too.

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