Be Manos Hotel

Hotel description

Until lately the Brussels hotel scene has remained fairly conservative — some fine business hotels, and some gorgeous old-world mansions, but little in the way of modern design fireworks. Be Manos, however, changes all that — this chic little gem around the corner from the Gare du Midi occupies the high end of the boutique-hotel market, and it’s the kind of place you’re more likely to run into a flock of Belgian designers than a gaggle of EU bureaucrats.

The neighborhood isn’t Brussels’ most picturesque, but what it lacks in glamour it makes up for in convenience — the Gare du Midi is where the Eurostar and the Thalys trains stop, meaning London, Paris and Amsterdam are practically on your doorstop.

Anyway all is forgiven once through the doors of this renovated Twenties townhouse. The interiors are all high drama, monochrome, silver and mirrors, full of bold lighting effects. The rooms lean heavily on the black and are not just striking but luxurious as well, with king beds and stone-tiled bathrooms. Be Lella is a breakfast room by day, restaurant by night, and the Be Bar and the Black Lounge (complete with an outdoor terrace) round out the social spaces.