Thursday 30 September 2010

Best Western Premier Hotel Carrefour de l'Europe

An authentic crossroads in the richest sense of the word...


At the heart of all Belgian towns there is always a "Grand Place" (main square) where passers-by - can admire all the symbols of the town's combined power and influence. First and foremost, it is home to the belfry, whose height and bells are directly proportional to the town's supremacy. It is also the backdrop for the town's grandest homes and guildhalls, whose ornately carved facades overlooking the square leave no one in doubt as to their former occupant's affluence. These purely artistic demonstrations of strength, which called upon the best craftsmen and artists of their era, have bequeathed the world an exceptional architectural and artistic legacy. The main square of Brussels, just a stone's throw from the Best Western Premier Carrefour de l'Europe, is one of the most beautiful squares in the world and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

While the nearby façade of the hotel can hardly outdo those of La Louve (the She-Wolf), Le Renard (the Fox), L'Arbre d'Or (the Golden Tree) or La Brouette (the Wheelbarrow) (to cite but a few of the square's most emblematic guildhalls), its lovely Burgundy stone blends admirably into its surroundings, outstanding though they are, adding a refreshingly modern version of the traditional "trappengevel" step facades. The windows of the guestrooms overlooking the square command a view of the belfry tower, the gables of the houses on the square and the stunning glass roof of the Galerie de la Reine, a timeless arcade whose smart elegant shop windows continue to uphold its original charm.

At the foot of the hotel stands an irresistible chocolate shop whose praises are sung by the team of the Best Western Premier Carrefour de l'Europe. It is undeniable that chocolate holds the same place in Belgian hearts as wine does in France. Indeed, it is tasted in much the same way, by oxygenating the palate as much as possible to let the full aroma impregnate the taste buds with its delectable savour and scent. The hotel is moreover endowed with other gastronomic appeals because it stands just next door to the legendary Rue des Bouchers, whose authentic several-century-old facades vie for pride of place with its mouth-watering appeal. Whatever you do, don't fall into the trap of thinking that Belgian cuisine is restricted to mussels; its meat, particularly Belgium's legendary Blue beef, cooked in beer or not, and its fish are exceptional, without forgetting its pastries and buns (affectionately called "pistolets") that the hotel serves oven fresh every morning at the delicious breakfast buffet.

The guestrooms of the Best Western Premier Carrefour de l'Europe are depicted by two qualities, rare in the heart of a European capital, they are spacious and full of light. The interior decoration and furnishings are a picture of understated, good taste and the materials of the best quality. Few hotels, for example, offer black marble luggage racks, solid wood television cabinets or leather bed heads. It is the perfect establishment to explore, enjoy and rediscover the unique wealth of a capital as outstanding as Brussels.

The best way to appreciate the Brussels Art de Vivre is to ask the hotel staff for their tips and advice. This human quality is all the more enriching because all the men and women that work in the establishment are truly convinced of its exceptional location at the "crossroads of Europe" and so aptly expressed by the hotel's name: Best Western Premier Carrefour de l'Europe.


Best Western Premier Hotel Carrefour de l'Europe
Rue Du Marche Aux Herbes, 110, Brussels, BE, Brussels, Belgium - B-1000
Phone: +32 (0) 2 5049400 Fax: +32 (0) 2 5049500

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