The iconic Astoria Hotel on Rue Royale in Brussels is set to reclaim its status as a symbol of luxury and grandeur with its reopening in November 2024.
After years of inactivity and multiple ownership changes, the historic hotel is undergoing a transformation that promises to make it one of Brussels’ most opulent five-star accommodations.
Originally constructed in 1909 at the behest of King Leopold II to accommodate visitors during the 1910 World Fair, the Astoria Hotel has long been a prominent fixture in Brussels.
Over the past century, it has hosted an array of distinguished guests, including former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, US President Dwight Eisenhower, and Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí.
Alongside other famed establishments like the Negresco in Nice and the Ritz in Paris, the Astoria has stood as a testament to the early days of luxury hospitality.
The hotel’s illustrious past, however, had been marred by neglect and disrepair. Since its last operational stint in 2007, the Astoria had remained vacant, a shadow of its former self.
The property, protected as heritage since 2000, had been acquired by Saudi Sheikh Mohammed Youssef El-Khereiji’s hotel group, which unfortunately failed to complete its renovation plans.
In early 2016, the Maltese luxury hotel chain Corinthia Hotels purchased the Astoria with a vision to restore it to its former glory.
After nearly four years of meticulous renovations led by Brussels-based architect Francis Metzger and his firm MA2, the hotel is finally nearing completion.
The restoration project, which has been extensive and complex, aims to blend the historic charm of the Astoria with modern luxury.
The Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels will offer 126 rooms and suites, catering to a diverse range of luxury preferences. The hotel’s amenities include a bar, a gastronomic restaurant, a brasserie, and a private club.
A significant feature of the complex will be the Palm Court, an elegantly restored ballroom beneath an 11-metre-high glass dome, which will serve as the hotel’s centerpiece.
In addition to the lavish accommodations, the hotel will boast a 1,200 square meter spa. Unlike many luxury hotels where spa facilities are exclusive to guests, the Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria will open its spa to the public, broadening its appeal beyond overnight stays.
Pricing details have not been finalized, but preliminary estimates suggest that a night at the hotel could start at approximately €650, with the most luxurious suites potentially reaching up to €10,000 per night.
This positioning aims to fill a niche in the Belgian market for “charming palace” type hotels, combining exceptional infrastructure with high-quality accommodations.
The reopening of the Astoria represents more than just a commercial venture; it is also a cultural rejuvenation. Corinthia Hotels has expressed a commitment to “re-injecting the soul” into the Brussels landmark, honoring its storied past while embracing the future.
The renovation project has been as much about preserving historical elements as it has been about introducing modern luxuries.
Francis Metzger’s architectural firm MA2 has been instrumental in the project, ensuring that the final design respects the building’s heritage while meeting contemporary standards of luxury and comfort.
The firm’s dedication to restoring the hotel’s grandeur reflects the broader goal of blending historical preservation with modern sophistication.
With its reopening, the Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels is poised to attract a new kind of clientele to Brussels, aiming to cater to an audience that seeks exceptional luxury and historical charm in Europe’s capital.
The hotel’s launch will mark the culmination of years of effort to revive one of Brussels’ most cherished landmarks and set a new standard for luxury accommodations in the city.
