Thursday, 30 September 2010

Best Western Premier Sodehotel La Woluwe

A great classic that has lost nothing of its modernity...


Opposite the Best Western Premier Sodehotel, on top of the same green hillside, stands a perfectly preserved 18th century windmill. Windmills are a familiar feature of North European landscapes and of popular culture. Generally located on hills or peaks, such as that of Woluwe Saint Lambert, they also enabled the townsfolk to keep watch on the surrounding countryside and to send coded messages by changing the position of the sails. For example, a happy event at the flour-mill was announced by setting the sails at a 45° angle… The mill is located near Hof ter Musschen Farm whose 13th century beams are famous and on the national heritage list. Although the farming vocation of the farm, mill and neighbourhood is well and truly over, their presence in this district, that the city has gradually overtaken, bears witness to its ancient roots. Roots that the Best Western Premier Sodehotel upholds in its own fashion, convinced they make up the quintessence of its soul.

The former Belgian airline company, Sabena built the hotel at the time of its glory. Not far from the airport, it was intended to accommodate pilots in transit in the most comfortable conditions. The modern architectural line offers a refreshing interpretation of a traditional local material, red brick. Countless design features elegantly and mischievously evoke the hotel's aviation origins, such as the light fittings in the corridors or the way in which wood and brushed metal have been daringly combined in the interior decoration. The hotel's meeting rooms pay homage to the heroes of the aviation adventure of the 20th century such as Saint Exupéry, Blériot, Lindbergh, etc. Light is an overriding feature of the entire structure and the guestrooms, the communal areas and, rarer still, even the meeting rooms, are all bathed in natural light. While a magnificent witness to a certain past splendour, the Best Western Premier Sodehotel has remained modern because it has upheld its initial vocation and remained abreast of new trends, without ever losing sight of its original style. It is justly proud of its authentic architectural character, in a suburb of Brussels nonetheless rich in beautiful abodes such as 18th century Chateau Malou, the Art Deco inspired town hall or the home-workshop of sculptor Oscar Jespers designed in 1928 by a Cubist architect. This matchless character is one of the reasons the Best Western Premier Sodehotel is one of the leading-most hotels of the Belgian capital.

Its guestrooms are fitted with soberly designed and unusual made-to-measure furniture. The windows command extensive views due to the hotel's lofty location. Its restaurant has earned a reputation in its own right and is renowned for its waterzooi and Sunday morning brunches. The distinctly British-style bar is furnished with comfy club armchairs, ideal for a pint of beer or a cup of coffee both of which the hotel proposes a rich selection. One of the most noteworthy features of the hotel is its auditorium, practically unique in Brussels, built in the shape of an amphitheatre and capable of seating 200. Its quality is such that it further confirms the status of the Best Western Premier Sodehotel as an establishment capable of offering superior service in line with the demands of a discerning clientele, accustomed to nothing but the best.


Best Western Premier Sodehotel La Woluwe
5, Avenue E. Mounier, Brussels, BE, Brussels, Belgium - B-1200
Phone: +32 (0) 2 775 21 11 Fax: +32 (0) 2 770 47 80

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