Cardo Hotels, the new lifestyle hospitality brand, has announced it will be opening its second hotel, this time 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 31 extraordinary hotel brands.
Located at the buzzing Place Rogier, Cardo Brussels offers a new landmark destination, ideally situated between the city centre and business district. It is housed in a majestic 30-storey building with stunning views of the city. Its unique blend of lifestyle and business spaces 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.
Nicolas Romero Oneto, Head of Cardo Hotels, said: “We are thrilled to be introducing the next chapter of Cardo hotels, selecting Brussels as our second destination. Each Cardo hotel is distinct, mirroring the aesthetic and cultural essence of its city, offering an unparalleled experience. Cardo Brussels exemplifies this vision: a distinctive destination where personal well-being and corporate culture merge effortlessly. 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.”
A room with a view, a meeting with a heart
Cardo’s embrace of playful ‘Belgitude’ starts from its striking 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 (starting from 28sqm) that span 24 floors.
“What happens when you mix Tintin, the Smurfs, and Magritte? 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,” said Saar Zafrir, whose firm is responsible for the whimsical 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.
As a true business hub, and with events at Cardo’s heart, the hotel has fifteen spacious meeting spaces with distinctive designs, set up with flexible walls, state-of-the-art technology and playful libraries. Drenched in natural daylight, some with jaw-dropping views over the city, these spaces make ‘workations’ into attractive and creative environments rather than stuffy afterthoughts. In addition, there’s an immense ballroom and an elegant pre-function space that accommodates up to 700 people for any type of event.
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 high-spirited ambience with all-day dining and curated mixology.
Akai takes things to a higher level — quite literally, as it’s located near the top of the hotel. A vibrant restaurant and cocktail bar, it features an eclectic mix of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, signature cocktails, stunning panoramic views of Brussels, and opulent design.
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 energising 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, covered and surrounded by glass windows, is open year-round.
At Cardo Brussels, guests can immerse themselves in a whole new hotel experience. Its unique proposition is a breath of fresh air in a city where classic design and mundane corporate hotels ruled – until now.
