Carbon Hotel ★★★★

In the heart of Flanders, the air is fresher and the grass is greener. Vast Belgian countryside sprawls out in every direction, and there is a heavy focus on nature, wildlife, and peaceful living. In the midst of it all, there is Genk, an unassuming but multicultural city, exhibiting some of Belgium’s finest Flemish design. It has a rich, expansive history ready for visitors to delve into – I couldn’t wait – spanning back to its medieval origins as a Celtic village and its industrialisation in the 19th Century. Today, Genk is one of the most important industrial hotspots in Flanders, with a friendly population and an abundance of the fresh air.

It was with great anticipation that I arrived in the rolling hills of Flanders, sprinkled here and there with quaint villages. I’ll readily admit that Genk was a place I had heard little about – if anything at all – and I had no idea what to expect. Luckily, the small, rustic town did not disappoint. Typically Flemish architecture rises up out of quiet squares, and the narrow streets are filled with an array of interesting shops and cafes, and I particularly enjoyed Bokrijk, an open-air museum that exhibits numerous authentic Flemish buildings that have been upended and moved to this shrine of Flanders’ past.

And, true to Genk style, my accommodation did not disappoint either. The beautiful, contemporary design of the Carbon Hotel is relaxing and spacious, and a serious advocate for being at one with nature – all rooms overlook a tree-filled courtyard and there is a leafy green roof garden to boot. But, for me, it was the rooms that were the crème de la crème of the Carbon Hotel – big, spacious, and exceptionally designed, they offer a peaceful cocoon for some quiet time, and I happily played with the dimmer switch that changed the colour settings of the room. The soft comfortable bedding was like sleeping on a cloud, and the rain shower tied into the natural theme of the hotel. But, despite its dedication to the natural world, the Carbon also provides up-to-the-minute comforts and amenities, like WiFi and flat-screen TVs.

After a gloriously calm night’s sleep, I emerged in the morning to a breakfast spread awash with delicious ingredients: eggs cooked to perfection, a sumptuous selection of breads and jams, and a range of freshly squeezed fruit juice – is there a better way to start the day? When I’d had my fill, I’d venture out into Genk to explore the fabulous Flemish architecture of the churches, museums, and buildings throughout the town. In the afternoon, I returned to the haven of the Carbon Hotel to make use of the extensive in-house spa facilities. If soaking up the fresh air of Flanders isn’t enough to relax and invigorate, then the hot stone massage and the natural body scrub certainly will be. In the evenings I enjoyed the stylish design of the Carbon’s restaurant, Gusto, whilst sampling the delicious, inventive menu, and sipped on a glass or two of delectable wine.

Genk was a completely new experience for me. I had no idea what to expect from this quiet Flemish town in the heart of Flanders, but I was not disappointed. I was searching for a bit of peace and quiet, to be closer to nature, and for a cultural experience outside of some of the larger Belgian towns and cities. What I found was a beautiful, quaint town full of friendly faces and with a great selection of traditional Flemish architecture. I loved learning about the history of the place but, even more so, I loved the retreat-like feel of the Carbon Hotel. Its contemporary, minimalist design and its penchant for the natural world was the perfect complement to the green fields and fresh air of Genk.