Built in 1909, the 5-star Astoria hotel in Brussels has been abandoned since 2007. In 2016, the Corinthia Group took over the property and, after extensive renovations, the icon will finally open its doors again in November, a few months behind the initially announced summer reopening.
Built at the request of King Léopold II, the Astoria, on Rue Royale, was the top address in the city, while the Belle Époque was still reigning in the European continent. The iconic monument attracted a long list of high-profile guests over the years, including Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Salvador DalÃ, Andy Warhol.
In 2007, the prestigious hotel closed its doors and was sold to Global Hotels and Resorts, a group reportedly managed by the Saudi Arabian Sheikh Mohamed El-Khereji. By 2010, work had started on the hotel’s expansion, however, the construction was never fully completed and in 2016, the Corinthia Group acquired the property.
After years of construction, the finishing touches are now being added to transform it into the new flagship of luxury in Brussels. The hotel will feature 126-rooms, including 31 suites and 5 “signature suites, two restaurants — a brasserie and a gastronomic restaurant with a renowned Belgian chef, and 1,200 m2 of wellness space.
Back in 2020, the Corinthia Group said that an estimated €40-60 million would be invested to add new rooms and modernise the hotel. However, the management has not since disclosed the full investment made to bring back the Astoria, since the cost had to be revised upwards, due to the pandemic and inflation. Additionally, the Brussels Capital Region said it has also invested €2.7 million into the restoration.
The hotel doesn’t just belong to very rich tourists, it also belongs to Brusseleirs.
Anaïs Maes, City of Brussels Councillor for Public Space, Urban Planning and Heritage, told the Brussels Times
Exact prices have not been revealed yet but have been reported to start at €650 per night for the cheapest options and reach as high as €21,000 for the most luxurious suites. Despite the high price tag the hotel’s managing director Edward Leenders insists everyone will be able to enjoy the establishment’s amenities. “We want to welcome Brussels residents. Of course, it is a luxury hotel but we also have a restaurant, a bar and even a spa that are accessible to all to enjoy”, he said.
“We can be honest: many people can’t afford to stay the night in this hotel”, City of Brussels Councillor for Public Space, Urban Planning and Heritage, Anaïs Maes, told The Brussels Times. However, she noted that there should be “something for everyone” in a city like Brussels, adding that this type of luxury hotel was lacking in the region.
