Steigenberger Wiltcher’s

Everything about the Steigenberger Wiltcher's is on a grand scale. The breakfast room is huge with dramatic high, decorated ceilings and large windows, the room sizes are generous, and even the corridors are extra wide. The decor throughout is classic without coming off as old-fashioned or stuffy. The hotel looks out over a forecourt that leads to polished brass doors. The vast lobby has numerous seating areas with chairs and sofas on a shiny white marble floor covered partially with patterned rugs. A large wooden reception desk with scaled-down marble pillar supports and the enormous crystal chandelier are hard to miss.  

The Steigenberger is set in the Louise area, in a chic -- but not particularly touristy -- part of town. There's plenty of shopping in the area, ranging from chain brands to small boutiques, as well as high-end designer stores such as Gucci, Tiffany, and Louis Vuitton. The Grand Place and other central attractions take around 20 minutes to reach on foot, and there are tram and bus stops a two-minute walk away. The large Louise Metro station is a five minute-walk from the hotel. The airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel while the Gare de Bruxelles-Midi -- the city's main train station, where passengers can catch the Eurostar to London or the TGV (high-speed train) to Paris and Amsterdam -- is a 10 minutes away by car. 

The rooms at the Steigenberger Wiltcher's are simple, elegant, and comfortable, with a soft gray and dusky mauve color scheme that provides a calm and tranquil feel. Luxurious touches include oversize pillows, goose-feather comforters, and spotless marble bathrooms with heated floors. Other features include bathrobes and slippers, 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with premium channels, safes, hairdryers, and plenty of storage space. Higher category rooms (Deluxe and up) have Nespresso coffeemakers. All of the rooms are spacious, but the Duplex Suite is particularly large, with a sitting room, a dining area, and a bedroom spread over two floors. The Royal Suite is particularly elegant and offers a large dining/conference room crowned by an elegant crystal chandelier, an office, a full kitchen, and a gorgeous, modern living room with a gas fireplace.

There are plenty of dining options at the Steigenberger Wiltcher's. The bright and airy Wiltcher’s has a beautifully presented (but expensive) breakfast buffet featuring fresh baked goods as well as a la carte dining in the evening. The restaurant also serves an excellent Sunday brunch. Restaurant No. 77 serves both international and regional dishes for lunch and dinner in a more formal setting. The cozy Loui Bar offers snacks and a wide range of drinks. The cigar lounge is open during limited hours, and there’s an attractive terrace to enjoy snacks and drinks outdoors. The hotel also has valet parking, a 24-hour business center with a meeting room, and free Wi-Fi, as well as a small but modern fitness center on the first floor which is free for guests. There’s a spa and swimming pool underneath the hotel, but it's owned by a private company and there's a hefty entrance fee. Note that children are not allowed at the pool and spa.