Shopping a deux in Brussels

Be charmed by the beguiling cobbled streets of Brussels on a wonderfully romantic pre-Christmas shopping spree weekend getaway

With chic designer boutiques, avant garde fashion, precious jewels and bespoke scented gifts, you can’t fail to be enamoured with the beautiful Belgian capital.

Gifts for style aficionados

Belgian design in Dansaert

Start your Brussels weekend with a trip to the in-vogue Dansaert quarter, a 10-minute walk from Hotel Amigo. Browse independent boutiques such as Stijl – a bastion of style since the mid-1980s – where Dries Van Noten’s bold pops of colour and Ann Demeulemeester’s sleek, minimal cuts are artfully laid out among clothing, shoes and bags for men and women. 

You can also treat someone to a leather handbag from Delvaux, which was established in 1829, then buying a complementary hat from the milliner Fabienne Delvigne.

Invest in some beautiful floral bed linen from Yves Delorme near Egmont Park or browse Kelly Claessens’ interiors boutique La Fabrika, which is a rich hunting ground for gifts. Its contemporary designs are set against a palette of pastel colours in the Scandinavian-style showroom. 

Gifts for someone special

Jewels and sparkles

Diamonds, sapphires and unique design pieces are the way to that special person’s heart at Christmas. Prosper, another gem in the fashionable Dansaert district, houses sparkling adornments from watches to jewellery by luxury brands and local designers. 

Established by watch enthusiasts, a visit to the store is an experience in itself. Experts begin by understanding your style over a cup of coffee, getting to know you before assisting with your search.

Gifts for children

Playful and unique

 If you’re looking for gifts for the little ones in your life, you’ve come to the right place. Brussels, the home of the cartoon detective Tintin, brims with unique toys and playful fashion.

Recalling fond childhood memories, the beautiful Grasshopper toy store – three minutes’ walk from our hotel – promises to take you on a nostalgic trip through its delightful display of Djeco games, wooden toys and gadgets.

Serneels meanwhile, just south of the Neoclassical Law Courts of Brussels, has been delighting children – including royals – with its collection of teddies, puppets and traditional toys since 1959. 

In the charming Châtelain neighbourhood, 10 minutes’ by taxi from the city centre, seek out Sabrina Palmisano’s children's shop, Boucle d’or, known for its stylish, ethically-sourced clothes and handwoven fabrics.

Gifts of fragrance and beauty

The scent of Christmas

Perhaps you’d prefer to create a bespoke fragrance as a truly unique gift? L'Antichambre, the perfume house that curated Hotel Amigo’s signature scent, will take you on a journey for the senses.

With the help of a professional ‘nose’, choose your base and layer it with other fragrances made using natural ingredients such as cedar and fig. Beautifully packaged and personalised, present your gift on Christmas Day with the words of French writer Victor Hugo, “Nothing awakens a memory like smell.”

Alternatively, help someone special to look and feel their best with a treatment voucher or make-up from Beauty by Kroonen, which stocks Irene Forte Skincare is just a stroll away from the grand Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon. 

An early gift for you

Raise a glass

Reward yourself for ticking off your Christmas to-do list with a bottle of bubbles and canapés at Bar A at Hotel Amigo before heading out for a romantic dinner, 100 metres above ground. 

A shining silver model of iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times larger than life, Atomium presents a fitting finale to your weekend in Brussels where you’ll dine on classic Belgian dishes, gazing over the city lights.

Surprise your partner with a gift certificate from Hotel Amigo and enjoy afternoon tea, bubbles or cocktails in Bar A or book your stay by emailing enquiries.amigo@roccofortehotels.com or calling +32 2547 4747.