For our stay in Brussels, we have 2 nights at the Hotel Metropole. Getting to the hotel from Franchorchamps involved a pretty spirited 2 hour drive, including chasing down a Ferrari 430 down on the E40, topping over 170mph! wait…what’s that…oh, that’s kilometers? What’s that…some thing like….105mph. Oh, ok! For a Jeep Renegade, not bad!

Yet getting to the hotel from all the  major construction going on in the Place De Brouckere proved another matter. With the construction, we circled around 2 or 3 times trying to figure it all out. With those huge bags, we were not able to pull up in front of the hotel, so we had to stop down the street and have a bellman come out and assist us. And what an assist it was. This bellman, dressed in the classic red, black and gold trim jacket, walking down this construction thorough fare with the large brass luggage cart, once again the travel gods have smiled upon us. Already were feeling like VIP as people walking by us and look up and smile at us. We get to the hotel and the gentleman at the front desk is more than courteous,  he’s downright jovial! Europe has it down when it comes to hospitality. Everyone is just so friendly and welcoming, it really makes a difference. We get up to the room and yeah, my good karma is on fire. We walked into the room and walk down the hallway, wow, a hallway! When we get into the main room, what is spread out in front of us is nothing but classic European luxury. The room, just a basic room mind you, is more like a junior suite. Luxuriously appointed and very, very spacious. You should be here!

The room contains small desk and chair for some business writing, and lounge for relaxing, 2 chairs for sitting and a nice, big time king size bed for sleeping. The bed is wonderfully soft and supportive and well appointed, accompanied by our chandelier. Yes, we have a chandelier! Step into the bathroom, and this again, it’s  appointed with wood trim, possibly Teak or maybe Belgium Fir, and marble. Polished chrome fixtures add a nice touch. Nice indeed!

Although the bathroom is generous and spacious, there’s only a huge tub. It looks more like a Jacuzzi tub, but no actual shower. So I guess this is Euro fashion, where you stand in the tub with the handheld and take your own shower. OK, when in Europe, do with the Europeans do, it’s bathtime!

The hotel itself was built back in 1895, and is historically modern. One of the cool features is the small elevator. Probably the original Otis elevator built back in the early 1900’s. Hmmm…plaque says 1970, close enough. The elevator still has the two-part door where you open the clear door to walk in, close it, and then pull close the collapsing metal railing before pressing the floor buttons. I haven’t seen this in so long and it is a bit nostalgic, although it’s also a bit tiny. But then, it’s not like I’m traveling with the soccer team, so fine by me. I love the decor.

Time for a beer and we head over to the bar which is incredible. The bar and restaurant, Cafe Metropole, is classic European. High ceilings give the place incredible volume, and the wood trim, all of it ornate, is elegantly detailed. Very classy indeed. For sure, this calls for a nice cool beer, a traditional blonde, please. The bar tendered brings over an Omer, and we just relax and take it in. wow, I’m staying here for the next days, this trip is going to be awesome!