As I wheel my suitcase from Brussels central station over the cobblestones, I am filled with eager anticipation for my second stay at the Rocco Amigo Hotel as it feels like I am coming home!
It’s literally a five-minute walk from the station to the polished brass doors and the smiling welcome from the Amigo staff, who do feel exactly like my amigos.
The hotel is an ambassador for the best of Belgian culture: a subtle blend of history, understated luxury and modern comfort.
The location is perfect. Just steps from the Grand-Place and the famous Manneken Pis statue, the Amigo stands at the very heart of Brussels, but once inside its cool marble lobby you leave the bustle behind and sink into the friendly comfort.
Rooms are airy, comfortable and unmistakably Belgian in spirit. There’s a quiet refinement to the furnishings: clean lines in the furniture, pops of colour from Magritte prints and soft textiles in deep reds and greys that nod to the country’s design tradition.
Bathrooms gleam with Carrara marble and though the fittings are resolutely modern, the atmosphere feels grounded in a city that has always straddled past and present.
It’s not ostentatious luxury, but thoughtful detail that matters here – blackout curtains that really work, a bed that seems designed for lingering and nightly chocolates that melt in your mouth.
If you want something really special, stay in one of their signature suites, comprising the Tin Tin suite, the presidential suite or my favourite, the Diane Von Furstenberg suite.
Food and drink are where the Amigo truly excels. The breakfast buffet is an ode to Belgian flavours: golden waffles served with strawberries and cream, a gazillion cheeses and a selection of chocolates so rich you’ll wonder if it’s too early in the day (it isn’t). The absolute piece de resistance is undoubtedly the Brussel sprout omelette!
The hotel is also home to Belgium’s best Italian restaurant and to the uber cool and funky Bar Magritte with its live jazz, cosy corners and impressively comprehensive cocktail list.
The staff (my amigos) deserve special mention. They navigate that delicate balance between attentiveness and respect for privacy. Need a taxi, a late-night recommendation, or simply a second coffee brought without asking? It happens seamlessly, as though they had anticipated you.
But what lingers most after departure is not just comfort or convenience, but a sense of Brussels itself distilled into one building.
The Amigo mirrors the city: cosmopolitan yet grounded, stylish but never showy, warm without being overbearing. Staying here is more than a hotel experience; it’s an immersion into the rhythm and charm of Belgium’s capital.
For travellers who want Brussels at its most authentic, Rocco Amigo delivers with quiet brilliance. I eagerly look forward to my third stay!
https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-amigo/
