Hotels

The Vintage Hotel is a newly minted alternative to the ponderous corporate chains that swallow up business travelers and EU bureaucrats in Brussels’ European Quarter. Located a few metro stops away from the bustling administrative nexus, the Vintage’s charming retro-boutique ambience is a testament to the refreshingly personal vision of its energetic owners, Fabian and Isabelle Henrion.

What this hotel lacks in luxury-hotel amenities it makes up for in quirky personality. A former retirement home converted by the Henrions in 2009, this 29-room boutique offers an intimate experience, akin to visiting a charmingly eccentric family with a witty sense of style. Each room reflects a unique aspect of the hotel’s colorful sixties-inspired aesthetic; picture the curvy appliances and bright pastel furniture of mod-era Carnaby Street rather than blacklight posters and lava lamps. And this isn’t some soulless big-business co-opting of hip nostalgic vibes: each piece of the stylish decor has been lovingly selected by the Henrions from high-end antique shops throughout Europe.

In lieu of a standard hotel restaurant, the Vintage supplies a selection of local cheeses and fresh-baked bread as part of its daily breakfast buffet. In a typically thoughtful touch, the wine bar also offers lessons from the award-winning Belgian sommelier Tim Vandeput. For guests in search of a more expansive urban experience, the hotel is conveniently located on Avenue Louise, home to an abundance of designer stores and fine restaurants.