A New Chapter of Belgian Design: Step Inside Hotel Amigo’s Suites

In Brussels, inspiration lives in the details – in the graceful curves of Art Nouveau façades, the mischief of its surrealist wit, and centuries of craftsmanship passed from one generation to the next. At Hotel Amigo, three suites carry that spirit forward.

Across two Grand-Place Suites and the Blaton Suite, Olga Polizzi, Director of Design, and Lucy Savanis at Rocco Forte Hotels, in collaboration with Do Design Studio, have woven a distinctly Belgian sensibility through collected art, natural materials and contemporary touches. And while each suite enjoys spectacular views, the real pleasure lies in looking a little closer within…

A window onto the city

Step into the Grand-Place Suites and the view immediately draws your focus: one of Europe’s most celebrated squares, with ornate gables, gilded details and the spire of Brussels’ Gothic Town Hall just beyond the window. Inside, the mood is serene, with a palette of sandy taupes, creams and soft beiges layered with forest green and copper.

Throughout the day, the open-plan living and dining room provides ample space for unwinding. A book about Brussels’ creative history sits on the coffee table, left there by the concierge to inspire your next excursion, following an earlier conversation. Leaf through its pages while treating yourself to handmade chocolates from renowned Belgian chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud. Come evening, the built-in bar makes entertaining effortless, with a selection of premium spirits ready to pour.

When the city calls, there is plenty to explore beyond the suite. In nearby Dansaert, Brussels’ most stylish neighbourhood, our concierge can arrange a private shopping tour, taking in the boutiques of Belgian icons such as STIJL and Dries Van Noten. Upon your return, your purchases can be unpacked and arranged just as you like in your dedicated dressing room, ready for the next day.

Of course, there is also the suite’s art. Above the sofa, Tapestry with Birds, created around 1960 by Belgian artist Jean Van Noten, makes an immediate impression, its expressive palette providing a bold contrast to the room's softer tones. It's part of a wider collection, approached by the design team much as a collector might — bringing together pieces from Brussels' galleries and antique dealers with works already held by the hotel. Some of those discoveries came from “eco-antiquarian” Michel Lambrecht, who repurposes and upcycles furniture and objets d’art, while others were found at the eclectic Galerie des Minimes, situated just a short stroll from the hotel and known for its various curiosities and collectibles. 

A legacy reimagined

Named after the family who built Hotel Amigo in the 1950s, the top-floor Blaton Suite has the sense of privacy of a refined Brussels residence.

In the generous living room, sink into the deep sofas in front of the fire, perhaps with a glass of LAMIGO 2020 in hand – an organic red created in collaboration with nearby Gudule Urban Winery – as your eyes rest on the painting above the mantelpiece. An adjoining dining room provides a natural setting for hosting friends or enjoying breakfast delivered to you.

The suite’s pièce de résistance is its sweeping terrace. Leading from the living room through French doors, it opens onto a rare and remarkable view of the Grand-Place below, with Brussels’ rooftops stretching beyond. There is space to sit together, or simply step outside alone with the first coffee of the day, as the city begins to stir.

The suite’s Belgian character reveals itself in smaller details, too. There are playful references to René Magritte throughout the space, from fruit bowls inspired by his still-life paintings to a cushion featuring his 1964 The Son of Man. His monographs invite a little further exploration, and if curiosity gets the better of you, our concierge can arrange a private guided visit to the Magritte Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of his work.

In the bedroom, pillows embroidered with your initials add a personal touch to your stay. Just beyond, stained-glass doors by Belgian artisans Le Château de Verre – the same team behind the stained-glass windows at Bar Magritte – separate the sleeping area from the ensuite bathroom. Perhaps you’ll stop by for a cocktail at the bar later; for now, sink into the deep soaking tub or revive tired muscles in the private steam room after a day exploring Brussels.

It is a city that rewards curiosity, and at Hotel Amigo, three suites offer a beautiful base from which to discover it – while Suites & Beyond opens the door to discoveries beyond the hotel and thoughtful touches that make your stay all the more personal.