Vintage Hotel Brussels

The Vintage Hotel Brussels is in a handsome red brick building, with a front entrance that's set back from the street across an inviting outdoor terrace. Everyone walks by the polished steel Airstream parked in one corner, and under a motorcycle set on the small balcony above the wine bar's French doors. Around the corner is the reception desk and lobby lounge, with parquet floors and furniture dating from the '50s to the '70s. Small potted cacti and a red gumball machine decorate the mantle of a fireplace, flanked by dark-wood curio cabinets displaying a collection of vintage treasures. Last renovated in 2016, the hotel updated its lobby and added some new guest rooms on upper floors. It's popular with couples on weekends and holidays, but most guests tend to be business travelers during a typical week.

The Vintage Hotel Brussels is on a one-way side street, just a two-minute walk from designer shopping along Avenue Louise. The area is convenient for high-end shopping, commuting to downtown, and several bars and restaurants are within walking distance on nearby side streets. The Magritte Museum is about a 17-minute walk, though Grand Place and other central attractions are too much of a hike to reach on foot. The Stephanie tram stop is a two-minute walk away, and the large Louise Metro station is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Brussels Airport is about a 16-minute drive and Gare de Bruxelles-Midi -- the city's main train station, where travelers can catch the Eurostar to London or the TGV (high-speed train) to Paris and Amsterdam -- is less than 10 minutes away by car.   

The 38 individually decorated guest rooms have dark shag carpeting and an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, lighting, and accent walls with funky wallpaper. Standard units have either double beds or two twin beds and work desks with leather roller chairs. Most rooms come with seating areas with designer-inspired chairs, but some units are on the small side. Free Wi-Fi is included, along with flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. There are no mini-fridges, but upgraded rooms add espresso machines. The tiled modern bathrooms have a mix of walk-in showers, shower/tub combos, or both, and attractive square sinks. There's also an Airstream camper to book with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a walk-in shower. 

Most of the hotel's main floor is stylishly open-plan, with pretty floor tiles and vintage light fixtures. It houses a wine bar and breakfast room, with small white bistro tables, cushioned bench seating, and two communal tables, plus a side room that has a large round table. A continental breakfast is available for an additional charge, and there are three black metal stools pulled up to a small bar, which offers a short list of wine and Belgian craft beers on tap. The bar also has an espresso machine. There's plenty of extra seating on the outdoor terrace. No full restaurant or gym on-site is a drawback, but Wi-Fi is free throughout.