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Accommodation

The presence of Eurocrats has brought both curses and blessings to Brussels' accommodation. Bland chain hotels are present in large numbers and prices are highest in peak parliamentary season (spring and autumn). However, when the EU checks out for its summer holiday, as well as at weekends, hotel prices drop dramatically.

Hotels close to Grand-Place are more expensive than other areas, such as mid-range Place de Ste-Catherine (close to Place de St-GÉry's buzzing nightlife) and residential Avenue Louise, and the budget area around the MÉtro Madou and Place de St-Josse.

Prior booking is recommended, particularly in high season. The Belgian Tourist Reservation Office (tel: (02) 513 7484 or 513 8940; fax: (02) 513 9277) offers a free booking service; or comprehensive list (tel: (02) 504 0390; fax: (02) 504 0270) for direct booking. Star ratings are based on the range of facilities offered rather than on quality. Rates generally include breakfast unless otherwise stated.

Conrad International Brussels
Avenue Louise 71, 1050 Brussels
Tel: (02) 542 4242. Fax: (02) 542 4200.
E-mail: BRUHC_M@hilton.com
Web site: www.brussels.conradinternational.com
Cost: BFr14,000-18,500.

Although the Conrad was only built in 1993, it has already become one of Brussels' most established hotels, earning the stamp of approval from famous former guests - including President Clinton and Bill Gates - and the Leading Hotels of the World. Although the hotel is among the city's largest, with a vast chandeliered lounge, each of the 269 rooms is individually decorated. There is an excellent business centre, 13 meeting rooms, a ballroom with a capacity of 800, a 24-hour fitness centre, and covered parking.

Hotel Stanhope
Rue du Commerce 9, 1000 Brussels
Tel: (02) 506 9111. Fax: (02) 512 1708.
E-mail: summithotels@stanhope.be
Cost: BFr12,900-14,900.

The Stanhope, situated in three late nineteenth-century townhouses in the heart of the business quarter, offers an atmosphere of old-style gentility, and a pampering, personalised service. Great attention is paid to detail - from the comfortable lobby and library to a bar evoking the most exclusive of gentlemen's clubs. There are three small meeting rooms, and a fine tea room and restaurant.

Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel
Brussels Zaventem, 1930 Zaventem
Tel: (02) 725 1000. Fax: (02) 725 1155.
Cost: BFr11,400-12,400 (breakfast not included).

This well-run modern hotel is located opposite the main airport terminal. Soundproofing ensures that planes flying overhead will not impinge on meetings or live jazz played during Sunday brunch.

Business facilities are excellent: there are 20 conference and meeting rooms (with capacity of 600), and a business centre. For more leisurely moments, there is a fitness centre and gourmet restaurant. Those wishing for a more central location, but enamoured of the convenience of a Sheraton, may plump for the larger sister hotel at Place Rogier 3, 1210 Brussels (tel: (02) 224 3111; fax: (02) 224 3456), the biggest hotel in town.

Hôtel MÉtropole

Place de Brouckère 31, 1000 Brussels
Tel: (02) 217 2300. Fax: (02) 218 0220.
Cost: BFr11,000-14,000.

Just five minutes walk from Grand-Place, this palatial century-old hotel boasts a grand marble-columned Belle Epoque lobby, glittering with chandeliers, 410 Art Deco rooms (many recently renovated), a popular restaurant and piano bar. There are conference facilities for 600, ten meeting rooms with internet access, a fitness centre and sauna, and free parking.

Hôtel Amigo
Rue de l'Amigo 1-3, 1000 Brussels
Tel: (02) 547 4747. Fax: (02) 513 5277.
Cost: BFr7750-9000.
Web site: www.hotelamigo.com

The gracious Hôtel Amigo - a hybrid resulting from a 1950s edifice built in the style of an eighteenth-century Spanish mansion, on the site of a former jail - is a stone's throw from Grand-Place. Decorated with Aubusson tapestries, Flemish paintings and antiques, this is a harmonious and restful hotel, the favourite of stars, ministers and the local business community. Service is discreet but attentive, and facilities include six meeting rooms and banqueting services. The grand Ambassador's Room seats 200 theatre-style. Covered parking is available.

Le Dixseptième
Rue de la Madeleine 25, 1000 Brussels
Tel: (02) 502 5744. Fax: (02) 502 6424.
Web site: www.ledixseptieme.be
Cost: BFr6600-7800.

This sweet little hotel is situated in a restored seventeenth-century townhouse, two minutes' walk from Grand-Place and five from the Gare Centrale. The former residence of the Spanish ambassador to Belgium, the hotel has retained its former splendour. Each of the 24 rooms (12 studios and 12 suites) is individually decorated with style and restraint, with antique furniture offset by bright white walls. There is a relaxing bar, with high ceilings and chandeliers and a lounge with a fireplace.

Hotel New Siru
Place Rogier 1, 1210 Brussels
Tel: (02) 203 3580. Fax: (02) 203 3303.
E-mail: art.hotel.siru@skynet.be
Cost: BFr6200.

The nineteenth-century building of the New Siru is located close to Gare du Nord, five minutes' walk from Parc du Cinquantenaire. Each room displays a painting by a Belgian artist, specially commissioned for the hotel. Guests may refuse a room, if the art is not to their taste, and request their favourite artist on a return visit.

Hotel Astrid

Place du Samedi 11, 1000 Brussels
Tel: (02) 219 3119. Fax: (02) 219 3170.
Cost: BFr4800-6500.

The Astrid in Place de Ste-Catherine is modern, comfortable and a good budget choice. All of the 100 rooms have en-suite bathroom, a television and safe.



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