HOLIDAY TRAVEL GUIDE | Brussels, Belgium

This past weekend I found myself in Brussels, Belgium for a quick weekend trip. I've been traveling all throughout Europe while studying abroad for the past few months and lemme just say, Brussels surprised me. Reading up on it beforehand many forums were saying that Brussels isn't the most exciting place to be, but I completely object. Being a New Yorker, it gave me slight NYC vibes with high-rise buildings and a lot of bustle. There are cute shops all over the place. Surprisingly I did not shop, except for seeing a Mason Pearson brush inside of a hair salon window and caving into buying my dream brush that I've wanted for years. Oh, I also managed to bring my open Belgian chocolate through TSA.

STAY

First things first, thank you so much to Martin's Brussels EU for the ultimate treatment. Walking into my suite with Belgian chocolate and champagne was such a treat. I was upgraded to the Exceptional suite which made me realize how much more relaxing it is to stay in a suite that makes you feel at home. Over my weeks of traveling everywhere, most of the time I resorted to hotels on the outskirts of the town or Airbnbs with a decent price that is basically the size of a box. Being in a beautiful suite that I looked forward to heading back to at night put me at ease and helped me enjoy Belgium that much more.

The room had a plush king size bed along with a double-sink bathroom with the most flawless "getting ready" lighting. There were TV's in both the bedroom and living room, which has a divider that can separate the two sides. It is also the perfect room for business with lots of desk space to work with.

On the morning of check-in, I arrived a bit early so I went to the hotel's restaurant Icones for the business lunch which is €26,50 for 2-courses. I had the tartare starter and farm chicken for my main course.

EAT

• CAFÉ MORT SUBITE- they only have small bites because they are more well-known for their beer hall which has some of Belgium's finest
• CAFÉ GEORGETTE- best frites ever, need I say more...
• BEAT- order one of the hashtag burgers and you'll thank me later
• LA GAUFRERIE- this place has every waffle combination you can think of and you cannot leave Belgium without eating waffles
• GOUP LE FOL- this bar is totally unique with vintage vibes and an eccentric, cozy feel
• BELGA QUEEN- tablets as menus, beautiful detailing, fabulous food, the coolest bathroom, and a cigar bar/club to end the night downstairs

VISIT

• CHRISTMAS MARKETS- if you visit during the holidays head into the center and walk throughout the streets full of vendors and festiveness
• ROYAL GALLERY OF SAINT HUBERT- a gorgeous shopping center that lacks mainstream stores and has some of the best chocolate around
• GRAND PLACE- check out this main square which has gorgeous architecture and is right in the center of it all

Icones

Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert

Café Mort Subite

BEAT

Goupil Le Fol

Belga Queen

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