Brussels Zaventem Airport (BRU): Approximate driving time is 30 minutes and distance is 10 miles (16 kilometers).

An airport shuttle service runs every 15 minutes from the Gare Centrale railway station and taxis are available for transfer from the airport to the center of Brussels.

The Brussels underground system (the metro) connects the hotel with the rest of central Brussels within 20 minutes. The metro station closest to the hotel is Place de Brouckere. There is also a wide choice of buses and trams. The hotel can order taxis on request.

Café Metropole - Accessed either via the hotel or its own on-street entrance, this buzzing café is a popular haunt for locals and guests alike. While the interior design is as flamboyant as the hotel, a wide range of more moderately priced meals and patisserie is served. The heated, canopied terrace at the front entrance is warm enough for alfresco dining, even in winter months.

Excelsior Lounge -A full buffet breakfast is served in the marble splendor of the Excelsior Lounge. Situated in the lobby area, its dark wood furniture complements leather chairs in burgundy and racing green.

Amenity highlights: A complete facelift in 2002 transformed the dining room of the L’Alban Chambon restaurant into one of the city’s most romantic restaurants. The spectacular stained glass windows have been preserved while the extravagant interior décor of ochre marble and gold columns has been made lighter and airier with the introduction of parquet floors. The bar area, situated in the lobby, serves fine wine and champagne in a relaxed setting.

Insider tip: The nearby Parc de Bruxelles provides a perfect setting for a romantic stroll. Some of Brussels’ most opulent buildings are clustered around this formal park created in the 1870s, with poker-straight tree-lined avenues and a central fountain.

The hotel has 10 function rooms accommodating five to 600 guests, all air-conditioned and with audio-visual facilities.