2 Best Hotels in Brussels, Belgium

This boutique stay lies on place des Martyrs, a historic location that contains a monument to the 445 patriots who died in the brief but successful 1830 War of Independence—many are buried in a crypt below the cobbles. The Juliana's grandeur certainly befits this hallowed setting. Its rooms are sold as "apartments," highly stylized and continuing the neoclassical design that courses through the building. A beautiful pool and wellness area (gym, sauna, hammam) keeps up the general air of moneyed luxury, which filters down to everything from the Molton Brown bath products to the rather fine in-hotel brasserie. 

After years in the wilderness, a titanic makeover has turned this back into one of Brussels's plushest stays. It's nice to see, as the building itself has plenty of history. It was 1913 when this grande dame first jitterbugged onto the Brussels scene, and you can see it in the design; the exterior is a veritable Art Nouveau palace, its imperious white facade and black balconies hinting at the crisply decorated rooms within. Everything is up-to-date once again, with the pool, spa, hammam, and fitness center all first-rate, while the cozy hotel bar oozes gentleman's club chic. A real blast from the past.