Made in Louise

Rooms

The turn-of-the-century exterior belies the space within: 3 buildings form an L-shape with common areas at its apex. All 48 rooms are individually decorated - recycled train-sleeper headboards, refurbished vintage furniture, feature wallpaper and period details (including 10 original fireplaces). A handsome curving staircase takes you up 5 floors in the main building; to the rear is the 'cottage', whose rooms overlook the courtyard. Rooms here and in the 'lift building' (named for its elevator) have air-con.

Bathrooms are spick and span: 4 Executive rooms have double walk-in showers, and most Charmings and Executives have tubs. Refillable toiletries are by Clarins and the Belgian-made bed linen is 100% cotton. Charmings and Executives can be configured as twins; Cosy rooms are ideal for single travellers. Families stay in the Executive rooms, which can sleep 3. Black-out blinds behind smart louvered windows along with the excellent bed meant we slept soundly in our Charming room.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is taken in the light-filled conservatory on the first floor. An extensive buffet is laid out along a purpose-built dresser: fruit salad, home-made cake and waffles, toast and brioche, proper preserves and the most delicious fresh orange juice. A hot option of scrambled eggs, bacon and tomato sits beside a Continental selection of smoked Ardennes ham and Maredsous cheese.

No other meals are served, although the useful honesty bar, Made in Bar & Market (open 24 hours), has a large selection of beers, wines, soft drinks and hot beverages, plus snacks such as crisps, biscuits and Belgian chocolates.

You've plenty of places for eating out nearby. Just off Rue Américaine is a small pedestrian street with a wide range of cuisines down its length - we ate at La Quincaillerie. We also devoured a fabulous pile of moules-frites (from the 30 variations on the menu) at quintessentially Belgian Le Chou de Bruxelles, just a minute walk from Made in Louise.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Kids' meals
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Brussels has some great architecture to discover. There's the UNESCO-listed Grand Place, whose buildings date from the 15th century. And Made in Louise is close to many notable Art Nouveau buildings, including some by famed architect Victor Horta
  
• There's good vintage and antique shopping around the Place de Jeu de Balle (which holds a Sunday flea market)
  
• As in any city there are museums and galleries to browse through. Check out the Royal Museum of Fine Art downtown, which has over 20,000 drawings, paintings and sculptures from the early 15th century. Next door is the newer Magritte Museum
  
• There's an impressive Gothic cathedral near the Central Station
  
• No trip to Brussels would be complete without sampling its gourmet wares. The Grand Place is surrounded by eateries of varying quality, plus enticing emporiums of delicately constructed chocolate. Some of the artisan beers are still brewed by monks. And don't leave without sampling moules-frites

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Pool table
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Brussels is an easy city to navigate and there's enough to keep restless kids occupied for a long weekend, from museums to parks to the famous Manneken Pis statue. And of course there are frites, chocolat and waffle vans on every street corner…

Made in Louise has few specific facilities for families, but it's so comfortable and well organised that staying here with children is a breeze. The Made in Bar & Market is very handy, too.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

There are 3 family Executive rooms with an additional single bed, so they sleep 3 in total. Split-level Room 65 is the largest in the hotel and its single bed is in a separate little room under the eaves. A baby cot can be added to all Charming and Executive rooms, and nearly all Charming and Executive rooms have bathtubs.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 25 minutes
• Hospital: 5 minutes
• Shops: 1 minute

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Made in Louise is located in the Ixelles district of Brussels, close to Place Stéphanie. It's a 30-minute walk from the Grand Place, and tram lines 92 and 97 stop at the end of the road.

By Air:
Fly into Brussels, which is only about half an hour from the hotel, or Brussels South Charleroi, which is an hour away. Click on the links below for a list of airlines which serve these airports. It is straightforward to head into the city via the metro system. You can also take a taxi, or the hotel can arrange a transfer – see Rates.

By Eurostar:
Many clients arrive via the Eurostar, which comes into the Gare du Midi. From here take the metro (lines 2 or 6), alighting at stop Louise; from there it is a 5-10 minute walk to the hotel.

7 parking spots are available in a garage 2 min from the hotel – see Rates.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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