Review of The Dominican, by Katie Scott

It might be the Gregorian chanting that's pumped through speakers in the elevators, or maybe it's the fact that it was once a 15th-century Dominican abbey, but one thing is for sure - The Dominican is unlike any other luxury hotel in Brussels. Set right in the heart of it all, on a discreet street behind the La Monnaie opera house, this is the obvious choice for design mavens and a popular resting spot for ambassadors visiting the European capital.

A recent addition to the Carlton group, this luxury hotel just opened its doors to the public in November 2007. The building's history lays the foundation for the design concept, and the often subtle convent theme makes this 150 room establishment a unique find for a hotel chain.

Walking through the public areas you'll start to notice the convent's features - high, arched ceilings; original light fixtures; and the monastic emblem reflected in the carpets of the eerily quiet corridors. However, it's the Dominican's façade that maintains most of the building's history, since the interiors are now all clean, modern lines and cool aubergine and olive tones.

The facilities

The Dominican's restaurant offers a combination of Belgian and International cuisine from their "food book", but it's the setting here that really steals the show. On a warm day the glass walls surrounding the courtyard retract, effectively blurring the lines between inside and out and contributing to the hotel's peaceful ambiance. It's all part of The Dominican experience, and the concept works - it's calm, relaxing and a true sanctuary in the heart of Brussels.

The rooms

All rooms at this luxury hotel are designed around the inner courtyard. Setting foot inside your room, you're greeted by more Gregorian chanting from the sound system (don't worry, it can be switched off at the touch of a button). The Opera Suite is a good choice for families, offering extra space with a separate sitting and dining area and interconnecting rooms available. The Loft and Executive Rooms are a notch above in price, but include mini bar and pay TV in the rate. Unlike the Deluxe Rooms, all suites have generous-sized deluxe spa amenities and separate bath and shower.

For sheer wow factor, the Grand Place Suite is the top choice at the Dominican, situated on the sixth floor. There are only four other rooms up here, and the entire floor can be hired for ultimate discretion. The suite's most notable features are a view of the impressive Hotel de Ville steeple, a "family sized" shower, a kitchenette and a large dressing room.

However, the Dominican's most exceptional suite is that devoted to Jaques-Louis David, Napoleon's court painter who lived here during his exile from France in 1816 until his death in 1825. It was here that he painted his most highly acclaimed work, Mars Disarmed by Venus, and a recreation of the painting is the highlight in the sitting area. The split-level suite boasts a six-person dining area and kitchenette, with a street view of the square below.