Belgium

Belgium packs an extraordinary amount of architecture and creativity into a remarkably small country. Medieval guild houses and Gothic town halls coexist with some of Europe’s finest Art Nouveau, while architects such as Victor Horta helped turn Brussels into a laboratory for a radically new way of living. Antwerp brings fashion and avant-garde design into the mix, while cities such as Ghent and Bruges combine centuries of history with an increasingly contemporary cultural scene. Belgium rarely feels overly polished—and that slightly unconventional edge is part of its appeal.

Food and drink are taken seriously, without always taking themselves too seriously. Exceptional beer, chocolate and fries are only the beginning. Traditional brasseries and grand cafés sit alongside ambitious restaurants, natural wine bars and chef-led neighbourhood kitchens, while Belgium’s proximity to France and the Netherlands creates a culinary culture with influences from both. Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent in particular offer food scenes that reward exploring well beyond the obvious addresses.

Belgium’s most interesting hotels reflect the country’s talent for giving old buildings new identities. Historic townhouses, former banks, convents and industrial spaces have been transformed into distinctive places to stay, often mixing original architecture with contemporary Belgian design, art and unexpected interiors. At DNA Hotels, we curate the places where architecture, food, creativity and a little Belgian eccentricity come together—hotels with enough personality to make the stay part of the destination.