Review of Hotel le Plaza, by Katie Scott

For its boundless grandeur and semblance of tradition, it's surprising that Brussels' Hotel Le Plaza has been welcoming guests for just over a decade. In fact, the building itself only dates back to the 1930s, and has been faithfully restored to its original grandeur by the Baron Van Gysel who resides here with his wife. Just knowing that you're sleeping in the same place as royalty is enough of an ego boost for anyone visiting the European capital.

The facilities

The George V style grand dame boasts many stunning features, but the most dramatic is unfortunately overlooked by the average guest. Protected by Royal decree, the 300 seat theatre is this luxury hotel's crown jewel, made only more lavish by its seemingly endless marble-lined gallery.

If you don't get the chance to sneak a peek inside the theatre, Le Plaza's restaurant L'Esterel with its frescoed dome ceiling is also impressive. The cuisine here is traditional Belgian, and the mahogany bar is the ideal place for an aperitif before a night out on the town.

There is a small gym on the 8th floor, but otherwise the luxury hotel is noticeably missing the recreation facilities expected for a 190-room hotel. However, golf fans won't seem to mind as they practice their drive on the putting green that opens during summer months on the terrace.

The rooms

Guestrooms continue the conservative décor found in the public areas with ornate furnishings and refined artwork. This is definitely not the choice for the design-savvy or technophiles; the only mod con is a plasma TV so large that it distracts from the lack of other luxuries.

Junior Suites are generously sized with a sitting area that partitions from the bed with a heavy, luscious curtain, and generally worth the price difference from Deluxe Rooms for the extra space. Be sure to request a room with street view, otherwise you'll be looking onto the back of the theatre.

Le Plaza's newest addition is the grand Presidential Suite at an astonishing 300 m2. The Suite Plaza is also an extravagant option, with a sitting area slightly larger than the average suite and the hotel's only private terrace.