Hotel Amigo

Hotel Amigo is the grand address of the historic centre, a five-star Rocco Forte hotel set on the Rue de l'Amigo between the Grand-Place and the Manneken Pis. Few luxury hotels in Brussels can match its location: the Town Hall is just around the corner, and most of the old town's sights are within a few minutes on foot, so you can drop bags between sights with ease.

Accommodation ranges from rooms to a series of suites, including the Forte Suites, family suites and rooms designed for those travelling with children, and a suite themed around the work of the designer Diane von Furstenberg. The larger suites are well suited to longer stays or special occasions. A fitness centre with Technogym equipment and free weights is available for guests.

Dining is a strong point. Ristorante Bocconi serves Italian cuisine in the style of the chef Fulvio Pierangelini, a welcome alternative after days of Belgian dishes, and Bar Magritte, named after the surrealist painter, offers live jazz, late-evening drinks and even chess. Reserving a table for dinner is sensible, particularly at weekends.

The Amigo suits couples on a special break, families who want space and service in the heart of the city, and business travellers who need easy access to both the centre and the European Quarter. Its meeting and events spaces also host weddings and corporate functions. Prices are at the top end of the Brussels market, as you would expect for a hotel of this standing.

Because the hotel is in the pedestrian heart of the old town, check with the hotel about arrival by car and parking before you travel. Brussels-Central station is a short walk away, as is the Bourse premetro stop, so arriving by train is straightforward.

Outside the door, the Grand-Place, the Manneken Pis, the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert and the Mont des Arts are all within walking distance. Staying here lets you see the Grand-Place early in the morning and late at night, when it is at its most atmospheric and least crowded. As Brussels is a busy business destination, hotel rates often vary between weekdays and weekends, so compare dates if your plans are flexible.