Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels

The café has a lovely atmosphere and interior, and the service is at a very high level. There are a few things I’d criticize, though. With cappuccino at €8 and cake at €16, I expected more: the coffee wasn’t especially well made, and I’d hoped for touches like latte art. The cake wasn’t anything special either, and the plastic flowers on the tables felt artificial. Still, I’d recommend visiting to experience the elegance of the space.

The hot chocolate was good quality, smooth and creamy, and made with Callebaut chocolate. But the price feels like it’s for the setting, not just the drink. It’s a cozy café with a pianist, beautiful service, and stunning architecture. The matcha was good too, though there was too much milk. I’d appreciate more normal prices for the drinks.

The staff at the entrance and reception were welcoming and friendly, though at times a little inexperienced. Restaurant and bar service was the bigger problem: orders were often forgotten, service was slow, and coordination and training seemed lacking. There were no custom cocktails or mocktails, the drinks list was limited, and the cocktails weren’t memorable. The food was uninspiring and inconsistent, sometimes cold when it should have been hot, with stale bread and underwhelming flavors. Cleanliness was generally good, but tables were sometimes left greasy because they took a while to be cleared and wiped. The rooms look pretty and are well finished, but they weren’t memorable enough to justify the price, and some design choices felt awkward or impractical. For comfort, value, and staff polish, Hotel Amigo and especially Sofitel Brussels Europe are much better, in nicer neighborhoods and at a fraction of the cost. Even the neglected “palace” Steigenberger Wilcher's feels more inspiring in some ways, which is a shame. The spa is a welcome feature, though cramped. The renovation is beautiful, even if a little quirky. The building itself impresses, but the front façade lacks the presence and detail expected at this level. More lighting, flowers, colorful awnings, and emphasis on the entrance could create more of a grand arrival, like at Parisian palaces such as Plaza Athénée or George V. Inside, the entrance and foyer feel cramped and not especially inspiring for a hotel aiming to be a palace. The lobby is small and blends into Palm Court, where lobby noise and cold air come in when the doors open in winter. The design is attractive, but the lighting and atmosphere feel a bit cold, and the air can be stuffy. Warmer lighting, more comfortable seats, and a signature scent could help. The location, near the botanical gardens on the edge of Schaerbeek/Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, feels dusty, noisy, and sometimes half-empty. It’s not far from the Royal Park, but transit is limited to tram and bus connections, and parking can be difficult. The area may improve one day, but right now it feels rough and out of the way for a flagship luxury hotel charging the city’s highest rates. I really want to love Corinthia Brussels. It has the potential to be Brussels’ shining luxury hotel, but it doesn’t yet live up to that promise. Better service, a more ambitious food and drink program, and a more inviting layout and atmosphere could make it the palace the city has been waiting for. I hope the team can make that happen, because Brussels is overdue for a true icon.

The team were professional throughout and the service was impeccable. The atmosphere felt refined and elegant, and the cuisine was outstanding, truly gastronomic. A luxurious experience in every detail.