Hotel Metropole

Hotel Metropole stands at Place de Brouckère 31 in central Brussels, Belgium, on the line of the city's grand central boulevards. The Grand Place is roughly a ten-minute walk away, the De Brouckère metro and tram interchange sits at the door, and the Théâtre de la Monnaie, the Rue Neuve shopping street and Gare Centrale are all close by. The hotel opened in 1895 and is still family owned, which is unusual among grand European hotels. Its Belle Époque architecture is the main draw: the ornate lobby, marble and gilding, and the Art Nouveau cafe are widely regarded as among the finest period interiors in the city, and non-guests often come just to see the cafe. Rooms are offered as Standard, Superior and Executive categories plus Suites, with period-style furnishing and modern comforts such as Wi-Fi. The price band is luxury, around €190-330 per night in low season and €230-400 in high season, which is generally below comparable international five-star chains. Dining centres on the historic cafe-bar, popular for coffee, light meals and an evening drink, and on the hotel restaurant, while the breakfast is served in a decorative room. A fitness room caters to guests who want to exercise. Service is traditional and personal, with a concierge able to help with theatre and concert tickets, restaurant bookings and city tours. The clientele includes couples, architecture enthusiasts and business travellers who value a central address. As the building is historic, room sizes and layouts vary, so guests with specific preferences should state them when reserving. The surrounding boulevards are busy by day and fairly lively into the evening, although the hotel itself is generally calm once inside.