Last Friday, Cardo Hotels officially opened a brand new hotel in Brussels. Just like its sister property in Rome, the new hotel joins the Autograph Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over thirty hotel brands. Located at Place Rogier, Cardo Brussels offers a new landmark between the city centre and the business district.
Housed in a majestic 30-storey building with stunning views of the city, the hotel is a unique blend of lifestyle and business spaces that appeal to the modern nomads who want everything: playful design and spacious bedrooms, work meetings that transition into leisurely swims in rooftop pools, and immersive experiences that deepen their connection to the city’s culture. “We are thrilled to be introducing the next chapter of Cardo Hotels selecting Brussels as our second destination,” said Nicolas Romero Oneto, Head of Cardo Hotels. “Each Cardo hotel is distinct, mirroring the aesthetic and cultural essence of its city, offering an unparalleled experience.”
Cardo’s embrace of playful ‘Belgitude’ starts from its exterior where René Magritte’s world-famous self-portrait ‘Le fils de l’homme’ covers the entire facade of the building. “In true Cardo style, we are offering signature experiences such as caricature artist meets and sight-seeing jogging sessions, as well as fascinating talks and workshops,” said Duco Heijbroek, the hotel’s General Manager.
Upon entering, guests walk past a huge screen that transforms them into cartoon avatars. This design approach is evident throughout the 532 spacious rooms that span 24 floors. “We wanted to translate all these essential Belgian art and pop culture elements into a visually attractive, contemporary experience where guests can sit back and relax,” says Saar Zafrir, whose firm is responsible for the interior design. Zafrir created bespoke furniture inspired by comic books and their text balloons, such as umbrella-shaped coffee tables. Rooms come with curated mini-libraries and unique local artworks, ideal for art lovers.
Among the hotel’s highlights is the versatility of the suites. Each one offers different elements to the design mix, such as the ZEN Suite with private spa facilities (sauna and treatment room) or the BIG Suite with a smart meeting room and the TOP Suite of 175m2 that comes with a fully equipped kitchen space and double bedrooms. “Cardo Brussels exemplifies this vision: a distinctive destination where personal well-being and corporate culture merge effortlessly,” said Romero Oneto. “We envision this blend as the future of hotel experiences. A sophisticated, eclectic combination of the public and private spheres, balancing professional needs with personal leisure.”
Belgian gastronomy and the art of wellness
Showcasing a creative mix of local and global flavours, the hotel is set to become a culinary destination with its exceptional array of bars and restaurants, including a majestic restaurant on the 30th floor. Gritto’s Restaurant, inspired by Magritte’s nickname, offers a fresh and extensive daily breakfast and honours Belgian cuisine with a creative twist. At the colourful Doodles Bar with its comics-inspired décor, guests can experience a high-spirited ambience with all-day dining and curated mixology.
AKAI restaurant lounge club takes things to a higher level — quite literally, as it’s located near the top of the hotel. From noon until late at night, AKAI welcomes guests with an atmosphere that evolves throughout the day and week to match the rhythm of the city. It is a vibrant destination offering Asian-Mediterranean fusion cuisine, breathtaking panoramic views, and a sexy ambience infused with warmth, comfort and sophisticated hospitality.
Wellbeing is also at the core of Cardo’s concept. Breathtaking views are guaranteed with fitness and spa facilities located at the top of the hotel. For an energizing work-out there is the 160sqm gym with innovative Technogym weights and cardio equipment, open 24/7.
Wellness seekers can visit the ultra-relaxing Contour Spa with five treatment rooms, sauna and relaxation area, while the exceptionally large indoor rooftop pool of 70sqm, surrounded by glass windows, is open year-round. At Cardo Brussels, guests can immerse themselves in a whole new hotel experience. A breath of fresh air in the capital of Europe.
