Hotel Verviers Van der Valk ★★★★

My odyssey through time begins in Verviers Victory Square, with its regal air and grand old buildings. It continues down rue de la Concorde, home of the Kiosk of Harmony, and on paste the Grand Poste and then the impressive Chapelle Saint-Lambert. With a little luck, I may stumble upon the famous Merchant of Ploquettes returning from his world travels. Soon after, I will stop on Station Street, in front of the magnificent station where horses and roosters wait amongst anonymous bourgeois characters. This is Verviers in 1891, and the city radiates prosperity.

A century and a bit later, thanks to a bet and almost certainly a little madness, Mr and Mrs Van Der Valk revived this old building. I am propelled forward into the present day, where the Hotel Verviers languishes in front of me, its original façade maintaining its former glory.

Inside, it is luxuriously furnished in a cosy and stylish fashion, with a hint of sparkle from its past. Several works of art by local contemporary artists adorn the walls, adding to the quirky rhythm of the hotel and its backstory. It is an unusual place, more like a large guest house than a hotel complex, but the décor is absolutely divine and the staff are some of the friendliest I have ever encountered.

My Junior Suite is bright and spacious with modern furnishings and clean lines. A plush red carpet bounces beneath my feet and the low lighting adds an element of old-fashioned charm. Though the building harks back to yesteryear, when it served as a terminal for passengers travelling around Belgium and beyond, the place has effortlessly gallivanted into the present day with contemporary facilities and a decorative nod towards contemporary style. Despite this, the vintage charm of the building has not been lost, and the mixture of old and new come together in perfect harmony. The bathroom is equally as trendy, boasting a relaxing Jacuzzi bath and a collection of designer products.

Elsewhere in the hotel, I find myself gawping at the in-house restaurant menu with its mouth-watering selection of culinary delights. Dinner each night is a marvellous display of scents and flavours, bringing traditional Belgian cuisine into the present day with an international twist. The pool also provides much entertainment – a peaceful way to pass the day. But with such a fascinating history right on my doorstep, it is impossible not to go out and explore the surrounding city and areas of the Verviers province. As well as age-old buildings that have stepped straight out of a history book, there are rolling hills and endless displays of nature that sprawl out in every direction.

Delving into Belgian culture was a lot more fun than I had imagined, and I tried delicious waffles, learnt about fascinating stories from the past, and revelled in the charm that imbues every street. Thanks to the grand exterior of the Hotel Verviers I could, for a moment, imagine I was a part of the past, but I was also very grateful for the modern facilities and the beautiful contemporary decor.