Review Radisson Blu Brussels

I must say I really enjoyed my stay in the Radisson in Brussels. The Radisson is a fairly big hotel with 281 rooms and suites on seven floors, though it didn’t give me that anononymous feeling.

History

Radisson opened in 1990, but it looks brand new, well kept and renovated. One of the best features is the two Michelin stars restaurant, the Sea Grill. Even if you don’t sleep here, go for the restaurant.

Museum

On the first floor of the hotel are some bricks that symbolize the 12th century Romanesque wall that once fortified Brussels. There is also an interior waterway, another symbol of the ancient city, parts of which were once swampland; Nice little features of teh hotel I think, you can forget about the museums. To be serious, please don’t, Brussels is a fabulous city with some great museums.

Room

I stayed in a standard room, which was clean, comfortable. Gave me a real nice peaceful feel. My bathroom had a marble sink and floor (plus a lighted magnifying makeup mirror, so you feel like a ballet star). There is no clock or radio/mp3 player in the room. Wi-fi is free and speedy, which is nice. Nice flatscreen TV with 26 channels broadcast in a many languages of languages (including CNN and the English-speaking Al Jazeera network).

USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and the International Herald Tribune are available on the first-floor near the elevator. Nice at breakfast.

Restaurant

If you have the money, go dining at the two-Michelin-star Sea Grill restaurant with superchef Yves Mattagne. I was so happy to try it, smashing! Although the décor of the room itself is passé, the food is thrilling. Looks great on the plate and tastes even better.

The most outstanding delight is a small tin of homegrown Belgian caviar served with crème fraiche and a waffle flecked with nori. Yummy! During the meal we were also impressed by the drama and spectacle of two waiters operating the silver lobster press to extract the maximum juice from the legs and thorax, which then went into Mattagne’s lobster béchamel sauce.

Room service is btw available 24/7.

Facilities

There is a small health club with exercise machines and a sauna on the seventh floor. It’s a nice place, used it in the morning, before breakfast. A usage fee is charged and there is a sun terrace on the roof.

In the evenings, a pianist plays in the lobby, serenading drinkers in the adjoining Bar Dessiné; reminded me of Billy Joel’s piano man. The bar has a cartoon with the Tintin comic strip theme. Good place for a beer.

Staff

The staff was consistently pleasant, professional, and helpful.

The Radisson Blu is not really a romantic place — didn’t give me that cosy boutique feeling, but it’s great place for a weekend in Brussels or for Business. I would come here again and recommend it.

Location

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel
Rue Fossé-aux-Loups 47
Wolvengracht
1000 Brussels, Belgium
Phone +32-2-219.28.28
http://royal.brussels.radissonblu.com/

Photos