Hôtel Manos Premier ★★★★

Brussels is often hailed as the ‘Capital of Europe’, one of the continent’s major cultural and political hubs; a cosmopolitan melting pot perched on a crossroads of Germanic and Romance cultures, it maintains its own inimitable, charming identity.

For our most recent trip to the captivating capital we stayed in the Hôtel Manos Premier. Just off the magnificent Avenue Louise the hotel’s ivy-covered façade almost resembles a country manor house, squeezed into the heart of the city. Entering the lobby, we were wowed by crystal chandeliers, resplendent marble floors, antique furnishings and smooth columns; and instantly felt enwrapped in an atmosphere of class, comfort and calm.

Our Superior Rooms, resembled the lavish living quarters of a French king; encompassing Louis XV and Louis XVI furnishings, a vast bed, beautiful chandeliers, silky curtains covering huge windows and a spacious marble bathroom. Outside our window, the extensive, lush gardens were dotted with glistening ponds, home to a terrace perfect for an al fresco breakfast.

If our luxurious cocoon of a room was French royalty, the theme evoked by ‘Le Bar’, is more colonial Africa; with ornate wood carvings and leopard skins the ambience is laid back and the drinks are delicious. After a pre-dinner aperitif, we moved on to the Kolya Restaurant, displaying yet another face of the remarkable hotel. This time the character was overwhelmingly Mediterranean, and the cuisine a fusion of traditional flavours with exotic influences. The beauty of the dining area is matched only by the perfection of Chef Nicholas Tsiknakos’s dishes. Meanwhile, the spectacular ‘Araban Nights’ inspired spa, offers luxurious treatments in a sumptuous setting.

With its different guises, the hotel resembles Brussels’s famous Manneken Pis statue, which is dressed up in different costumes several times a week; one of the many ancient quirks that gives Brussels its lovely charm. Other joys of the Belgian capital include a famous beer in a typical tavern, admiring the ornate façades of the Grand Place, and wandering the incredible museums and art galleries. There is also the contemporary side of Brussels - the postmodern architecture of the EU buildings, the striking Atomium structure, the luxury shopping on Avenue Louise, and lively music scene.

Brussels, with many sides to its complex character, is truly worth getting to know. And the Hotel Manos Premier, with its five-star luxury, service, style and comfort, offers exactly what you need to relax in the heart of this thriving, enthralling city.