De Witte Lelie by Matthew Barker

Three 16th century town houses, converted into a white-on-white style-mag chic boutique, awash with Persian carpets, marble staircases, fresh flowers (‘White Lilies’) and linen sofas and armchairs. Careful with that red wine. 10 rooms. They say: "The staff speak your language in more ways than one" (US Conde Nast Traveler)

The breakfast buffet is a splendid thing (scrambled eggs, meats, cheese, pastries, rolls, fruit); that’s pretty much your lot, although given the overall gorgeousness of the place, you won’t have too many complaints.

Local Attractions:Royal Museum of Fine Arts houses the largest collection of Rubens in the world (there’s also the Rubens House) and you can see his Descent from the Cross over at Our Lady’s Cathedral. For restaurants try t’Fornius and t’Hofke; the Quinten Matsijs café dates from 1565, or there’s De Foyer in the Bourlaschouwburg Theatre. For shopaholics Dries Van Noten are at Het Mode Paleis; Raf Simons and Ann Demeulemeester at Louis - for chocaholics Del Rey best for praline chocolates (although the locals will tell you, fingers a-wagging, pralines and chocolates are two different things).