Brussels Airport is preparing a two-year overhaul of the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel, with work set to modernise the 35-year-old property’s rooms, public areas, façade, and technical infrastructure against a recent backdrop of fire-safety concerns and operational disruption.
The airport operator promised in a press release that the four-star hotel, located directly opposite the terminal, will remain open while the renovation is carried out in phases. Initial façade works began this summer, while the main structural programme is expected to start in mid-2027 and be completed by the end of 2028.
This was the Sheraton #BrusselsAirport Hotel back in 1989. 👀 Nearly 40 years later, it’s getting ready for its next chapter. From mid-2027, the hotel will undergo a major #renovation, from its façade to the guest rooms. 👇 Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming! Read more in our… pic.twitter.com/IruyOcrKKd
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) September 9, 2026
The investment comes after a turbulent period for the airport hotel. In August 2025, the local mayor ordered the Sheraton to close temporarily after advice from the Flemish Brabant West fire brigade, following tests that found fire-safety systems no longer met applicable standards. Guests were required to leave the hotel by midnight, although Brussels Airport said at the time that the measure was precautionary and that no incident had endangered guests or staff.
The hotel later reopened after corrective steps and inspection clearance, but fire safety returned to the spotlight on Christmas Eve 2025, when 175 guests were temporarily evacuated to the airport departure hall after a blaze broke out in a technical room in the underground car park. Firefighters brought the flames under control; no injuries were reported, and guests returned after the building was ventilated and carbon monoxide checks were completed.
Although the latest airport announcement on the hotel focuses on guest experience, capacity, and sustainability, the planned upgrades to electrical and ventilation systems, as well as the roof and broader technical infrastructure, will be watched closely in light of those incidents. The project also includes a new glass gallery in the reception and restaurant area, designed to bring in more natural light and expand the lobby into multiple hospitality zones.
Guest rooms are due to be fully refurbished, the restaurant will undergo a complete renovation, and the current meeting-room space on the top floor will be converted into additional executive rooms. Brussels Airport said the added rooms are intended to help address high occupancy levels and prepare for future demand for accommodation at the airport.
Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, said the hotel has been part of the airport since its launch three and a half decades ago, and remains an important first or last stop for travellers, business guests, and visitors. The renovation, he said, is intended to deliver “fully refurbished, comfortable and modern rooms” and an enhanced dining and meeting environment.
Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel opened in 1989 under Starwood Hotels & Resorts, with Marriott International taking over in 2017. Brussels Airport Company has, however, owned the building since 2019 and continues to pursue a diversification strategy through operationally relevant real estate investments. That includes the acquisition of neighbouring Novotel buildings and land, as the hub enjoys ongoing growth in passenger numbers.
