Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Brussels

Though the exterior of the hotel is somewhat unremarkable, the structure is built around an inner atrium with lots of natural light, plants cascading from hallway balconies, and a terraced layout that gives pleasing views of the elegant lobby restaurant and its rock-lined koi pond. The ground floor has a bustling atmosphere that mixes the comings and goings of the popular restaurant with ever-present business guests, who constitute the majority of the clientele here. The lobby area is lined with black and white marble tile and furnished with plenty of seating, combining contemporary touches, like reclaimed wood benches and tables, with Art Deco light fixtures and wood accents, as well as the remnants of a 12th-century wall. Fresh flowers adorn the hotel throughout.

The hotel is situated on a fairly busy two-way street in the center of Brussels, a seven-minute walk from the Brussels Central Station. The property is on a hill and surrounded by office buildings as well as several theaters and museums scattered about in the vicinity, such as the Theatre Des Galeries, the Museum of Letters and Manuscripts, and the Royal Monnaie Theatre. There are several cafes, restaurants, and shops within walking distance and just down the hill from the property. The bustle of tourist activity surrounding the Grand Place is about a seven-minute walk away, and other sights like the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium and the Musical Instrument Museum are under a 15-minute walk. There is a bus stop serving several lines just down the street from the hotel.

Though decor varies throughout the rooms and suites, all are stylishly outfitted with contemporary furnishings that reflect four different styles: Urban Style, New York Mansion, Maritime, and At Home. All rooms have comfortable king-size beds, work desks, flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi, while Business Class Rooms and suites add Nespresso machines, fluffy robes and slippers, and access to the hotel's Business Class Corner, plus larger work spaces and separate living rooms in some units. Bathrooms are elegantly tiled in white and slate-gray tiles, and feature brushed chrome surfaces, shower-tub combos or walk-in rainfall showers (or both in some suites), and white ceramic sinks. Travelers should note that some rooms overlook the interior courtyard of the building; this means they receive less natural light and might pose privacy issues as they are visible from the elevators. 

There are two restaurants within the hotel: the Sea Grill Restaurant, which has been awarded two Michelin stars, and the casual dining Atrium Restaurant, which is atmospherically situated beneath an atrium ceiling and features remnants of a Romanesque wall from the 12th-century. A Super Breakfast Buffet is included in all room rates except Standard Rooms; it's served in the cozy PebbleWood Corner. There's also a fitness center, which is equipped with an array of modern machines and has a separate weight room, plus a large locker room with a dry sauna. The hotel has 18 meeting rooms that are equipped with audiovisual equipment, office supplies, and coffee machines. A business center provides access to several computers and a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout. Underground parking is available, though it's pricey.