For a capital city, Brussels doesn’t have many grande dame hotels. One exception is the Beaux Arts style Wiltchers, which was built in 1911 on the posh Avenue Louise, was later used as an office building, then became a Conrad and was taken over by German chain Steigenberger in January 2013. Steigenberger announced a gradual two-year renovation when it took over – and now, nearly $ 8m later, the changes are now pretty much finished. So whats changed?
The rooms: The 267 rooms (including 45 suites) were renovated immediately in 2013. Already the largest rooms in Brussels, theyve now been fully modernised.
Proper five star marble bathrooms (each has a separate bath and shower, and none – huzzah! – is peekaboo), obscenely comfortable beds, a decent working area in each room (with European, US and UK outlets – thanks, international embassy core clientele) and rather lovely carpets.
The only issue we found? Soundproofing between floors and out to the corridor isnt great – though if you don’t have kids running around on top of you as we did, this will be less of an issue.
The name: Steigenberger has wisely taken a back seat and let the history speak for itself – in May 2015, the hotel rebranded as the Wiltchers – a name registered in 1909 and used from 1913-1925. Good move.
The Library: What used to be a huge, unused space in the lobby will, from September, be The Library – a lounge area with books on Brussels, architecture and art, as well as a casual restaurant, serving things like soup, salad and quiche for lunch and Belgian afternoon tea (dies!) throughout the afternoon.
The bistro: A second room leading off from the Loui Bar (the upscale bar and place for ladies and gents who lunch – that too has been overhauled) will be a bistro with windows overlooking the Avenue Louise.
The terrace: The terrace outside the Wiltchers Cafe (breakfast room) was reopened last year by Steigenberger. For special events like the World Cup theyll be installing a big screen TV.
The cigar lounge: Another addition from last year, the D-Lounge – a cigar lounge by Davidoff – is a cigar and whisky joint. Definitely one for the ambassadors.
Summer is a brilliant time to visit Brussels as rates are at rock bottom thanks to the European Parliament being out of session. Its a business visitor city with no business visitors for about six weeks between mid July to the start of September – which means quids in for leisure travelers. Right now, rooms at the Wiltchers are starting as low as 149 ($ 165).
[Photos: Julia Buckley/HotelChatter]