NH Collection Brussels Centre Review: My Honest Stay in Brussels

Looking for an honest NH Collection Brussels Centre review? Here’s what my stay was actually like—including why I chose it for a Brussels, Bruges and Ghent trip, the room, rooftop breakfast, location, facilities, what I loved and disliked and what to know before booking.

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I chose NH Collection Brussels Centre because I needed Brussels to do two jobs on this trip.

First—I wanted a few full days in the Belgian capital (because Brussels deserves more than a day trip), but I was also using the city as my base for trains to Bruges and Ghent.

That meant I needed somewhere central enough for sightseeing, close enough to Brussels-Central Station for day trips and stylish enough that coming back to the room still felt lovely.

Personally, I’d stayed at NH Collection properties before and had a genuinely good experience, so I came in with high hopes. Thankfully, the Brussels Centre property delivered.

The room felt polished and comfortable, the 1929 Art Deco building gave the hotel more character than a standard city hotel, and I could walk to Grand-Place, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Sainte-Catherine and the Bourse without building my day around public transport.

But my favourite part was taking my book upstairs at breakfast and reading beside the rooftop windows with Brussels views like this.

That breakfast—fresh pastries, fruit, cheeses, cold cuts, bread and hot dishes made to order, with the skyline over the city—was easily one of my best morning memories from the trip.

Here’s everything to know before booking.

Shall we?

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Quick Verdict: Is NH Collection Brussels Centre Worth It?

Yes—especially if you want a stylish Brussels hotel that works equally well for city sightseeing and Belgian train trips.

NH Collection Brussels Centre gave me what I was hoping for: a comfortable room, an easy city-centre location, a historic building that didn’t feel generic and a rooftop breakfast I’d genuinely make time for again.

It’s not directly opposite Brussels-Central, so don’t let the word “Centre” convince you the station sits outside the lobby. I’d allow roughly 10–12 minutes on foot, depending on your route and luggage.

But for me, that small distance was worth it. I was closer to De Brouckère, Rue Neuve and the lower city, while Grand-Place, the station and the Royal Quarter were all walkable.

I’d book it for a first Brussels trip, a longer city stay, a polished work-trip base or a wider Belgium itinerary centred on Brussels. I’d look elsewhere if your only priority is the shortest possible walk from the platform, you want an on-site spa or you need a hotel with a full destination restaurant for dinner.

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NH Collection Brussels Centre at a Glance

Hotel	NH Collection Brussels Centre
Address	Boulevard Adolphe Max 7, 1000 Brussels
Best for	First-time visitors, stylish city breaks, work trips and Brussels-based train itineraries
Location	Beside Rue Neuve and De Brouckère, around 10–12 minutes’ walk from Brussels-Central
Building	A 1929 Art Deco hotel with period features and an original staircase
Rooms	Spacious, high-ceilinged and contemporary, from Superior Rooms to suites
Breakfast	Large top-floor buffet with hot dishes made to order, panoramic views and a terrace
Facilities	24-hour gym, rooftop terrace, room service, free Wi-Fi and Guest Relations
Parking	Indoor off-site parking around 100 metres away; check their low-emission zone rules and current rate before arriving
Check-in / check-out	3pm / 12pm
Would I stay again?	Yes

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Why I Chose NH Collection Brussels Centre

My Brussels plans were more involved than a simple one-night city break.

I wanted time to explore the capital properly—beyond a quick look at Grand-Place and Manneken Pis—but I also wanted to use Brussels for a day trip to Bruges and an easy train trip to Ghent.

That made location unusually important. I didn’t want to spend each morning crossing Brussels before I’d even boarded the train, but I also didn’t want a hotel chosen purely for station proximity if it meant giving up the city-centre experience.

NH Collection Brussels Centre answered both needs. Brussels-Central was walkable, De Brouckère metro was close and the hotel put me beside the pedestrianised centre rather than on its outer edge.

I also wanted a room with some style. I’m happy to choose a simple hotel when a trip calls for one, but for several days in Brussels I wanted somewhere that felt good to return to—not just somewhere technically convenient.

Having stayed with NH Collection before, I already knew the brand had polished rooms with useful city locations. So it felt like less of a gamble, and true to form, their Brussels property gave me exactly the comfortable, polished base I’d hoped for.

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The Building: A Little Brussels Art Deco History

The hotel’s history helps explain why it feels more substantial than a newer chain property.

Architect Michel Polak designed the building as Hôtel Atlanta in 1929, during Brussels’ interwar Art Deco period, with marble, strong geometric lines, high ceilings and an original staircase still in place.

That doesn’t mean the whole property feels like a preserved museum. The rooms are modern, and the hotel runs like a large contemporary city hotel. But still, I really enjoyed the original features.

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Location: How Easy Is It to Explore Brussels from NH Collection Brussels Centre?

To be honest, the location was one of the strongest parts of my stay, although I’d describe it accurately as a central stay rather than a station-side one.

The hotel sits on Boulevard Adolphe Max, parallel to Rue Neuve and close to De Brouckère, with the pedestrianised lower city, shopping streets and historic centre in one direction, and Mont des Arts slightly uphill in the other.

To break it down nicely, from the hotel it’s roughly:

• 2 minutes to Rue Neuve
• 3 minutes to De Brouckère metro and tram stops
• 5 minutes to La Monnaie
• 5–8 minutes to Grand-Place
• 8–10 minutes to Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
• 10 minutes to the Bourse and Sainte-Catherine
• 10–12 minutes to Brussels-Central Station
• 12 minutes to Manneken Pis or Mont des Art

…by foot!

I found the location especially practical and useful for my one-day Brussels itinerary, my weekend in Brussels itinerary, the Brussels Comic Strip Walk, exploring the Matongé neighbourhood and all the less obvious stops that helped me answer, ‘Is Brussels worth visiting?’.

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The Room at NH Collection Brussels Centre

My room here was exactly the kind of space I wanted for several days in Brussels: stylish, calm and comfortable without trying too hard.

The hotel’s rooms have high ceilings, contemporary design and city-centre views straight from bed—which is already more generous than many city-centre hotel rooms in Europe.

With 241 rooms, this isn’t a tiny boutique hotel. You can choose from Superior Rooms, larger Premium Rooms, Junior Suites and Suites. All come with an espresso machine, kettle, minibar, pillow selection, safe, AC and either a shower or bathtub.

Despite the building dating from 1929, the rooms aren’t theatrical or ultra-luxury.

But for a smart Brussels room with proper space, a comfortable bed and a lovely Brussels base, it works great.

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Breakfast at NH Collection Brussels Centre: My Favourite Part

The rooftop breakfast here was easily the part of the hotel I loved most.

Breakfast is served on the top floor, where large windows pull the Brussels skyline into the room and the terrace opens in warmer weather.

Instead of eating in a windowless space, you’ll begin the morning nice and easy above the city you’re about to explore.

I took my book upstairs, found a seat beside the view and let breakfast become a small part of my itinerary before heading home.

Currently, the buffet has fresh fruit juices, pastries and breads, plus fruit, yoghurt, cold cuts and cheeses, with hot dishes available to order too.

But don’t worry, given its central location, you’ll still have plenty of time to check out my Brussels café recommendations too.

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Does NH Collection Brussels Centre Have a Restaurant?

A cosy Belgian dinner at Le Bistro—easy to reach from your hotel!

If there’s anything to dislike about NH Collection Brussels Centre, it’s that your rooftop meals will begin and end at breakfast.

Although there’s room service, there’s no restaurant on-site for dinner. But don’t worry—you’ve got options!

Brussels has an excellent restaurant scene with plenty of recommendations to choose from in my Brussels restaurant guide.

And if Belgian beer is part of your plans, my guide to Brussels beer tours can help with that too…

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Service, Gym and Other Facilities at NH Collection Brussels Centre

Beyond the room and rooftop, the hotel had a few practical extras that made it well worth it for a longer stay.

• A large 24-hour gym: it’s in the basement, free for guests and much more substantial than the token treadmill room found in many city hotels.
• Guest Relations: the team can also help with restaurant reservations and local Brussels recommendations during your stay.
• Free Wi-Fi: available throughout the hotel, with optional higher-speed access if you’re working.
• Room service: useful when you’ve returned from a long train day and don’t want to head straight back out.
• Off-site indoor parking: around 100 metres from the hotel (see more details).
• Pet-friendly rooms: dogs and cats are welcome for an additional fee, but be sure to note this when you book.

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Pros and Cons of NH Collection Brussels Centre

What I Liked

• Stylish, comfortable room with high ceilings
• 1929 Art Deco building with more character than a generic chain hotel
• Excellent rooftop breakfast and city views
• Easy walk to Grand-Place, Brussels-Central and Sainte-Catherine
• Very practical for day trips to Bruges and Ghent
• Close to De Brouckère metro and Rue Neuve
• Large 24-hour gym
• Spacious rooms and suites available
• Generous midday check-out vs. an early morning departure

What to Know Before Booking

• There’s no on-site restaurant for dinner at the hotel
• It’s around 10–12 minutes from Brussels-Central rather than directly beside the station
• The route towards Central Station and Mont des Arts includes an incline
• Breakfast may cost extra depending on your room rate
• The terrace is most useful in good weather
• Parking is off-site
• *Chance of mistaking the wrong property: NH Collection Brussels Centre and Grand Sablon are different hotels

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NH Collection Brussels Centre vs Grand Sablon

NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon

In your search, you might have found a similar hotel under the NH Collection brand called ‘NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon‘ and they’re easy to mix up!

NH Collection Brussels Centre (where I stayed) is better for De Brouckère, Rue Neuve, the Bourse and Sainte-Catherine. It’s also the one with the top-floor breakfast room I loved, and the one I’d choose for a first sightseeing trip or any stay involving catching trains from Brussels-Central.

NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon is better for the antique shops, chocolate boutiques and restaurants around Sablon, plus the Magritte Museum, Musical Instruments Museum and Place Poelaert. It has square-facing rooms, Hispania Brasserie for sit-down meals and indoor on-site parking.

Also important: Grand Sablon serves a buffet breakfast, but doesn’t have the same rooftop dining room as Brussels Centre.

All in all, I’d choose their Brussels Centre location again for a city-centre-based trip, and Grand Sablon for a slightly quieter Brussels weekend centred on museums, long dinners and a more neighbourhood-led stay.

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Who I Think Should Book This Hotel

I think NH Collection Brussels Centre works particularly well for:

• First-time Brussels visitors who want most of the central sights within walking distance
• Travellers combining Brussels, Bruges and Ghent who need reasonable access to Central Station
• Couples and friends who care about a stylish room but don’t need a tiny boutique hotel
• Solo travellers who want a well-run central base
• Business travellers who need a gym, meeting facilities and reliable city transport
• Breakfast people (this is me) who’ll actually sit down and enjoy the rooftop view

I’d skip it for a small boutique atmosphere, a spa weekend or a trip where you need to be literally across the road from Brussels-Central.

In that case, read my guide to the best hotels near Brussels Central Station.

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Would I Stay at NH Collection Brussels Centre Again?

Yes, I’d personally stay again.

The hotel suited doing a trip with several days in Brussels and train journeys to other Belgian cities—while still giving me enough time to enjoy being in a stylish base.

I liked being able to walk into the historic centre, return without a complicated journey and reach Brussels-Central when I needed it.

But my room also gave me the comfortable base I’d hoped for, and the building had just enough history to keep the stay from feeling generic.

Most of all, I’d go back for that breakfast upstairs.

Have a lovely stay—and an even lovelier time in Brussels!

Happy travels,

Candace x

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FAQ: NH Collection Brussels Centre Review

Is NH Collection Brussels Centre Worth It?

Yes, I think NH Collection Brussels Centre is worth it if you want a stylish, spacious city hotel with a central location and an excellent rooftop breakfast. It worked especially well for my combined Brussels, Bruges and Ghent trip.

How Far Is NH Collection Brussels Centre from Brussels-Central Station?

The hotel is around 0.8 kilometres from Brussels-Central Station. That’s roughly 10–12 minutes on foot and a little longer with luggage.

Is NH Collection Brussels Centre Close to Grand-Place?

Yes. Grand-Place is roughly 0.6 kilometres away, around an eight-minute walk from the hotel.

What Is Breakfast Like at NH Collection Brussels Centre?

Breakfast here is a large top-floor buffet with pastries, breads, fruit, yoghurt, cereals, cheeses, cold cuts and fresh juices, plus hot dishes made to order. The panoramic Brussels views and rooftop terrace made it my favourite part of the stay.

Does NH Collection Brussels Centre Have a Rooftop?

Yes. The hotel has a top-floor dining room and rooftop terrace with panoramic views across Brussels. Breakfast is served upstairs, and the terrace is particularly lovely in warmer weather.

Does NH Collection Brussels Centre Have a Restaurant?

No, just breakfast. Read my Brussels restaurant guide for dinner recommendations!

What Are the Rooms Like at NH Collection Brussels Centre?

Spacious, contemporary and high-ceilinged, with room categories ranging from Superior Rooms to Premium Rooms, Junior Suites and Suites.

Is NH Collection Brussels Centre Good for Day Trips?

Yes, I’d say so from my experience. Brussels-Central is walkable from the hotel, which made it practical for my trips to Bruges and Ghent. The location also lets you return to central Brussels without staying directly beside the station.

Is NH Collection Brussels Centre the Same as Grand Sablon?

No. NH Collection Brussels Centre is near De Brouckère and Rue Neuve. NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon overlooks Grand Sablon and is better placed for the museum quarter. I stayed at the Centre property, and it’s the one with the rooftop breakfast room I loved.

Does NH Collection Brussels Centre Have Parking?

The hotel uses indoor off-site parking around 100 metres away. Brussels has a low-emission zone, so check the current parking rate and vehicle-registration rules before driving into the centre.

What Time Are Check-in and Check-out?

Standard check-in starts at 3pm and check-out is at 12pm. Oh, do we love a late check-out…

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