5-star hotel
Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo
It is a delightful irony that the Hotel Amigo, now the most patrician address in Brussels, stands on the site of a former prison. The Spanish soldiers stationed here mistook the word ‘vrunt’ (prison) for ‘vriend’ (friend), gifting the hotel its name. Today, the only thing holding you captive is the service. Located scarcely 50 meters from the tourist scrum of the Grand Place, the property feels less like a hotel and more like the private townhouse of a well-traveled Flemish collector. Inside, the chaos of the city center vanishes. The lobby is paved with the same cobblestones as the square outside, a clever continuity that leads you to the spiral staircase winding through four floors of understated luxury. Rooms are dressed in Flemish tapestries and Italian silks, but the bathrooms steal the show with Irene Forte skincare products (the prickly pear scent is addictive) and Dyson hair dryers. For the 'Comic Strip' feature, the Tintin Suite is non-negotiable—featuring original Spielberg-signed prints and Snowy plushies that elevate it beyond mere novelty. While the absence of a pool is a notable omission for a five-star property, the concierge team—who can arrange exclusive chocolate workshops—compensates with sheer competence. Dinner at Ristorante Bocconi offers a masterclass in Italian restraint; order the Ravioli alla Carbonara, which locals argue is the best pasta north of Milan. Cap the night at Bar Magritte with a 'Ceci n'est pas un cocktail', surrounded by surrealist prints.
