Travel Agent - August 27, 2007 - (Page 28) Destinations Europe Three Top Belgian Properties A five-star Brussels icon, a large complex outside the city and a manor house BY JERRY SOVERINSKY M Brussels any American travelers dismiss Belgium as an obligatory entry to or exit from another European destination. They never consider it a priority for a dedicated, extended stay, and that is a mistake. Belgium merits consideration far beyond a forced airport stopover for all types of clients. And here they’ll find some of Europe’s most impressive hotels and resorts, ensuring their stay is both unique and first-class. Prestige room at Hotel Le Plaza in Brussels Hotel Le Plaza (www.hotel-leplazabrussels.com) is along Boulevard Adolphe Maxlaan and within walking distance of Brussels Grand-Place and upscale shopping streets. This 1930s, five-star hotel is one of the city’s most venerable luxury properties. With a rich history that includes hosting some of the world’s most renowned celebrities and politicians, its well-appointed, meticulously maintained facilities no doubt retain much of the hotel’s original charm, a look patterned after Paris’ George V Hotel. The hotel underwent a substantial renovation in 1996, a thorough overhaul that holds up without blemish to this day. Its 193 rooms, comfortably spaced among seven floors, include a generous collection of standard rooms and suites that are all sparkling and spacious. Traditional rooms (137 total) combine a warm blend of pleasing colors, perfect to soothe the most weary leisure or business traveler. There’s a generous assortment of more than 50 suites, including five Executive Suites with separate meeting areas and one Plaza Suite, a sumptuous penthouse space of 750 square feet, complete with salon, private balcony, and every imaginable high-tech convenience. Some of the hotel’s amenities include a fine-dining restaurant, The Esterel, with its accompanying bar; fitness center; 24-hour concierge services; the lavish Plaza Theatre that accommodates parties up to 800 guests; and nine meeting and function rooms that serve up to 250 attendees. The hotel pays 10 percent commission. Contact Axel De Sambucy for VIP guests (axel.desambucy@leplaza-brussels.be); www.leplaza-brussels.be; +32 2 278 01 00. former IBM training campus, a 14building expanse totaling more than 450,000 square feet of living and working space, all nestled peacefully in the forest of Soignes, just nine miles from Brussels. Although marketing efforts target business travelers, the leisure market cannot be overlooked. La Hulpe’s four-star guest rooms, which include 181 standard rooms, 70 executive guest rooms, 12 conference suites and a grand Segoya Suite, all present tasteful views of the Soignes Forest or the resort’s Feng Shui Garden. The upscale, contemporary rooms come with full amenities, including airconditioning, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, work desk, VOIP telephone, safe and mini-bar. La Hulpe’s fitness center offers a fullfeatured spa and fitness center, suitable for the most discriminating leisure traveler. With an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, generous assortment of cardio and weight-training equipment, tennis court, La Hulpe For those needing easy access to downtown Brussels, yet in search of a more sedate living experience than the capital city can offer, the newly opened Dolce La Hulpe Brussels (www.lahulpe.dolce.com) is the perfect solution. The massive complex occupies a 28 TravelAgent August 27, 2007 http://www.hotel-leplaza-brussels.com http://www.hotel-leplaza-brussels.com http://www.leplaza-brussels.be http://www.lahulpe.dolce.com
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