Hôtel des Galeries

Hôtel des Galeries is a small boutique hotel with one of the most charming locations in Brussels. It sits beneath the glass-roofed Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert, the 19th-century arcade just north of the Grand-Place, with its entrance on the Rue des Bouchers. Behind the historic façade, the hotel has a warm, contemporary feel that makes a pleasant contrast with the busy streets outside.

There are 23 rooms and suites, which keeps the atmosphere personal. Rooms feature parquet floors, wooden shutters and a mix of custom and designer furniture, including pieces by Belgian designers, with geometric ceramics as a recurring decorative theme. The overall look is calm and stylish rather than grand, and the rooms are a comfortable base for exploring the city on foot.

Breakfast is served as a buffet and is one of the features guests praise most. The hotel does not have its own parking, but guests can use a nearby public car park. Because of its location in the pedestrian heart of the city, arriving by train and walking or taking a short taxi ride from the station is usually the simplest option.

The hotel suits couples, solo travellers and anyone who wants to stay in the very centre of the old town in a setting with more personality than a chain hotel. Families may find the smaller rooms limiting, so check room sizes and suites when booking. Prices are mid-range to upper mid-range, reflecting the exceptional location.

The surrounding area is lively in the evenings, especially along the Rue des Bouchers with its many restaurants, so light sleepers may want to ask for a quieter room. The hotel sometimes offers seasonal promotions linked to the neighbouring Cinéma Galeries, so it is worth checking the website for current offers.

Brussels-Central station is a short walk away, and the Grand-Place, the Manneken Pis, the Cathedral and the Mont des Arts are all within a few minutes. Staying here means you can wander the galleries early in the morning and late at night, when they are at their most peaceful. As Brussels is a busy business destination, hotel rates often vary between weekdays and weekends, so compare dates if your plans are flexible.