Standing in the same place where a Dominican abbey was in the 15th century, The Dominican made us fall in love with it from the moment we crossed its threshold.
Location
The Dominican is a Carlton hotel situated only a few minutes walk from the world-famous Grande Place, Menken Piss statue, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert (the first glazed shopping arcades) and basically almost all attractions in Brussels.
The room
Dim lights create a very romantic atmosphere throughout the hotel and the whole place boasts great luxury. Our room at the first floor faces the inner courtyard, a very quiet and relaxing place. Complimentary WIFI, in-room tea and coffee facilities and laptop safe are just some of the things that immediately call our attention. We travel with the whole shebang, and a spacious safety deposit box is always welcomed.
The decor is perfectly mastered and meant for great comfort. I love the soft pillows and mattress, a guarantee for a good night sleep. As we arrive, the TV is already on and Gregorian chants fill up the room. Same monks accompany us up and down in the elevator too. It's a very nice and appropriate touch given the history of the place.
We opt for a rain shower instead of a tub, but the bathroom is still spacious. And the fluffy towels, robes and toiletries are all so inviting, it's hard to leave the room, since the atmosphere here is so relaxing and worry-free.
The common areas
The lobby, the restaurant and the lounge bar downstairs feature huge windows and a solemn, yet fun atmosphere. Lit candles and white and red roses decorate each table and the armchairs and upholstered benches are there with no other reason but to spoil the guests.
In the lobby entrance, there are two flame torches, which contribute further to our perception of the place as an incredibly romantic one.
Breakfast
Though my husband loved our room best, I think the breakfast served in this hotel is what really separates The Dominican from the crowd.
The gorgeous restaurant is my kind of perfect. Fresh cut flowers, lit candles, stylish decor.
They serve lots of tasty Belgian and French products we didn't find in any other hotel. We probably over-ate every morning, but this was such a perfect start of each day we stayed at The Dominican! I loved the variety, the novelty and the quality of the products. Of course, the fact that there was champagne didn't hurt either.
A small breakfast menu is to be found on each table and guests can order a number of delicacies at absolutely no extra cost. We went for the Belgian waffles two days in a row. Large enough to share, we found the waffles served at The Dominican pretty different from the ones served in the hole in the wall type of waffle shops around the city. Crispier and not at all sticky (for me, this certainly was a plus), while nevertheless delicious. We also loved the presentation and the great attention paid to details (the chef came in person to serve us the waffles).
The Dominican is all in all a very romantic boutique hotel, with great atmosphere. Perfectly situated, it seems like the ideal retreat for couples in search for privacy and comfort.
For more information, you can check The Dominican's website and Facebook page.
We were guests of The Dominican, however, all opinions expressed here are entirely our own and based on our personal experience.
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