Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels — Hotel in Brussels

Ok, so I was looking for a place to stay one night in Brussels. I surfed the web and remembered of the Accor group, who eventually proposed me what seemed to be a nice option, Brussels’ downtown located, old but classy, not standardised, a nice place for a nice night.||||I called the hotel and the boy at Reservations told me that it was one of the best hotels in the city, and the HM The Queen of Spain used to stay there. After having been there myself, I wonder whether it was HM Sofia when she was not yet the Queen, or if it was Maria Eugenia in the early 1910’s.||||First impression: it is not in the centre. 10 minutes walking to get to the old part of Brussels, through a large street with narrow promenades and lots of traffic. The building looks nice and old, in some way like the old Palaces all around Europe (Ritz London, Ritz Madrid, Ritz Paris, Crillon Paris, Westin Madrid, and so on). Well, it is but it is not… everything inside looked more like fake finishing rather than original.||||The doorman: useless. If I get with a foreign car to a hotel, and stop in front turning of my engine, the only thing this man could think is: here comes a guest. No, he didn’t move, he just stared at my car. So I got out and opened the boot to take of my bag. He did not help me. Not even a “bonjour” or a question about my trip or my reservation. We discussed whether to leave the car there or not, and he just told me to put it in the car-park, but refused to do it, stating he was afraid of damaging my car. I put up the top of my car, carried my bags to the front desk and checked in. Then, I went out to park the car, and he showed me the way while sitting in the passenger’s side. I really think he was willing to take a tour on my car, more than doing his job. We got to the car-park, which was actually some kind of hole behind the building, not under surveillance, and disappeared. Yes, he just disappeared, so there I was with my car, and with no idea of where to leave it and how to get back to the hotel. So I went out and walked my way back… as the door to the hotel was not clearly announced. Useless, that’s all.||||The reception team: very young, helpful but just not professional. Ok, they are learning and that’s fine, but not of a “best hotel in the city”. Just took my ID, my Credit-card (“as guarantee for the extras”… ok, extras and room, I was paying for everything! Too many guests coming with vouchers, I guess), asked for a signature, and gave me the room key. Room 329, third floor, elevator is there. That’s all. At check/out more of the same, with a poorly presented bill, not even a pre-view to check (saving paper?), no nothing: just pay and sign here, please. By the way, no Concierge service, so the young boy told me places to go shopping… Come on, I live in Paris, I don’t go to Brussels to go fashion shopping…||||The room: tired, old, tiny… rubbish. The bed was comfortable, but not the pillows. The electrical equipment was old, the desk was poorly equipped, the minibar was dirty (full of dust above it, but full to make it look white!), the bathroom was old and the shower leaked everywhere. No turn-down service, by the way. Positive things: the bathroom products were good. Talking about the bathroom, I used the loo but when flushing… I got the flush entire thing in my hands. I did not bother to call the front-desk, however. I got a room facing the courtyard, which is like facing nothing. Terrible room in everyway. The best thing about the room was the movie I saw on the public French TV, very funny. Something I could have watched at home…||||Room-Service: I was not feeling well after the journey and the visit to the city, so I decided to have dinner in the room-service. Well presented, well prepared food, probably the best thing of my experience. ||||The car-park: by the way, I was about to forget this… I was charged 20 euros for the car-park. Remember, not secured, not indicated, small tiny entrance, not even covered. 20 euros for that? Come on! I paid 8,7 in Brugge the next night for a public, secured, covered and wide car-park day!||||All in all, I paid probably not a lot of money for the rack rates of the hotel, but I know how this works, and this kind of hotels advise quite high rates and then sell at promotions. 200 euros for a rubbish stay. I should have gone to a cheap 2 stars place, leave the car somewhere around, and pay around 100 euros in total. This wouldn’t have been half the quality I got from this terrible and old hotel. Oh, no Internet access was proposes, no swimming-pool, no sauna, I wasn’t advised of any fitness… “room 329, third floor, elevator is there”. By the way, very old elevator with no security-doors. Is that still legal?||||Would I come back? Yes, with an inspector from Sofitel to see what he thinks. Would I recommend it? If you like to give money for nothing, you better give it to a poor man on the streets. Never ever will come back. Skip it!||||I am writing more or less the same to the Hotel manager. Just to see what he thinks. And yes, I am used to four and five...

I truly want to love Corinthia Brussels. It has the potential to be the shining gem of the Brussels luxury scene, but for now, it doesn’t quite live up to that promise.

The renovation is undeniably beautiful, though a bit quirky at times, and there are some significant caveats. The hotel sits on the edge of Schaerbeek/Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, near the botanical gardens. While it’s not far from the Royal Park, the area can feel dusty, noisy, but also half-empty, with limited transport options beyond tram and bus connections. Parking can also be challenging. It’s an area that could one day be rejuvenated, but at present, it feels slightly rough and out of the way for a flagship luxury hotel charging the highest rates in the city.

Inside, the building is impressive, though the front façade lacks the presence and detail you’d expect at this level. More lighting, flowers, colorful awnings, and visual emphasis on the entrance — similar to the grand exterior staging of Parisian palaces like Plaza Athénée or George V — would help give it the sense of arrival it deserves.

The entrance and foyer are pleasant but feel cramped and not particularly inspiring for a hotel that aspires to be a palace. The lobby shares a similar issue: it’s small, with little separation from the Palm Court all-day dining space. Palm Court suffers from noise from the lobby and cold air in winter whenever the doors open. The design is attractive but slightly cold in its lighting and atmosphere, and the air can feel stuffy/poorly ventilated. A warmer lighting scheme, more comfortable seating, and perhaps a nice signature scent would significantly elevate the space.

Cleanliness is generally good, though staff are slow to clear and properly wipe tables, which sometimes feel greasy. Tablecloths or more frequent, thorough cleaning could address this.

The staff at the entrance and reception are welcoming and friendly, if sometimes slightly inexperienced — but by Brussels standards, alright. The bigger issue is service in the restaurants and bar. While friendly, the team suffers from slow service, frequent forgotten orders, poor coordination, and a lack of training. There’s no option for custom cocktails or mocktails, the drink list is limited and the cocktails available not particularly memorable, and the food not inspiring, quality very inconsistent — sometimes served cold when it should be hot, sometimes bread is stale, flavors aren't the best.

The rooms are pretty and well finished but not particularly memorable, and for the price point, they feel hard to justify. The design sometimes feels awkward or impractical. For comfort, livability, and value, the rooms at Hotel Amigo and especially Sofitel Brussels Europe are far better, in nicer neighborhoods, with more polished staff — and at a fraction of the price. Even the badly neglected "palace" Steigenberger Wilcher's in some ways is more inspiring than the hotel which is a real shame.

The spa is a welcome addition, though it too feels somewhat cramped.

Overall, Corinthia Brussels has extraordinary potential. If service standards improve, if the food and beverage program becomes more ambitious, and if the layout and atmosphere are made more inviting, this property could become the long-awaited “palace” of Brussels. I truly hope the Corinthia team can make this vision a reality, because the city is overdue for...

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of reuniting with my former colleagues for a gastronomic evening at the renowned restaurant of the Palais Royal in Brussels. From the moment we arrived, it was evident that this was no ordinary dining experience. The restaurant's decor was truly a testament to its prestigious 5-star rating, with elegant furnishings and an atmosphere that spoke of refined sophistication.

Our evening began in the charming anteroom, where we were warmly welcomed and invited to enjoy an aperitif. The pre-dinner ambiance was delightful, with soft background music and an inviting array of appetizers that tantalized our taste buds. My colleagues opted for a classic "Blanc de Blanc" champagne, while I chose a unique house mocktail that was carefully crafted by the talented bartender. The appetizers were nothing short of exquisite, each bite a miniature culinary masterpiece that hinted at the culinary journey ahead.

We were then gracefully guided to our table in a breathtaking dining room that seemed to blend classic elegance with contemporary design. The menu offered two set options - one at €85 and another at €135 - along with à la carte selections. After careful consideration, we decided on the €85 menu, understanding that drinks would be an additional expense. The water service, which provided unlimited refreshment, was priced at €10, and the wine tasting experience came in at €43 per person. While this might seem steep, we quickly realized the value, especially considering that a single glass of wine typically costs €16 (a delightful Saint-Joseph blanc).

The culinary progression was masterfully orchestrated. Our starter of asparagus with calamansi was a delicate balance of flavors that set high expectations for the meal. In an unexpected and delightful twist, we were invited to visit the kitchen during an intermezzo, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of culinary artistry in motion.

Returning to our table, the main course arrived - a sublime red mullet accompanied by merguez sausage. The combination might sound unconventional, but the execution was nothing short of brilliant. The fish and merguez created a harmonious flavor profile that was both innovative and deeply satisfying.

The dessert course was a dual experience. The first, a Sake Masu, was my absolute favorite - a complex interplay of flavors that left me utterly enchanted. The lemon soufflé that followed was equally impressive, light and zesty. Though coffee was offered post-dinner, we decided to forgo it in favor of a leisurely walk near our hotel, where we planned to enjoy a final coffee and reflect on our...