• Comfort Art Hotel Siru (Brussels; tel. 02/203-35-80): An art-aficionado owner had the innovative idea of inviting Belgium's top artists to decorate a room with a painting, sculpture, or installation on the theme of travel. Many took up the challenge, and now each room is a miniature single-exhibit art gallery. The art is, obviously, contemporary, so the response from guests can vary. Some regulars ask for a different room each time so that after a hundred visits they'll have toured the full "gallery"; some always ask for the same room; others, shaken by an unsettling image, ask for a room change in the middle of the night.
  • Welcome (Brussels; tel. 02/219-95-46): This is the best little hotel in Brussels, a small place with a big welcome, and the standard of the rooms is high. Try to get proprietor Michel Smeesters to tell you about his hotel's history, preferably over a glass or two of Kwak beer -- but be careful: It's a long story and Kwak is strong beer.
  • Egmond (Bruges; tel. 050/34-14-45): Think of the Egmond as your own country mansion, for not much more than a hundred bucks a room. There's just one problem with this image: The Egmond is not actually in the country. In compensation, it has its own grounds and gardens, and stands next to the Minnewater (Lover's Lake).
  • Firean (Antwerp; tel. 03/237-02-60): Some hotels would be notable enough if they only shared the Firean's Art Deco style and Tiffany glass decor. So, having an inventively fitted out interior, a fine restaurant, and proprietors who care about service makes this one stand out from the crowd.

    • Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.