The Dominican
Historical luxury meets contemporary design — medieval grandeur, cloister-calm, and deliberate drama. Moody, textured, confident.
Book direct at thedominican.be for a €10 room credit — also check the Carlton Collection ON-US program for 10% off the best available rate
Why It Matters
One of Brussels' few hotels with a genuinely extraordinary backstory: a Dominican abbey that survived multiple demolitions, a French revolutionary painter in exile, and an award-winning Dutch design team. Rooms range from 24 sqm to 77 sqm and include suites named after Jacques-Louis David and the opera house next door. The courtyard garden under the old fig tree is one of the better outdoor spots in central Brussels.
A 150-room design hotel built on the site of a 15th-century Dominican abbey, steps from Grand Place and right across from the Royal Opera House La Monnaie. French painter Jacques-Louis David once lived and worked here — his original façade was preserved and folded into the new construction by Belgian architects Lens°Ass. Dutch design studio FG Stijl (Prix-Villegiature Paris 2005, Best Interior Design) fitted the interiors, and the result is what the hotel calls 'dramatic intimacy': soaring arched ceilings, original Belgian stone flooring through the Monastery Corridor, velvet chairs, and warm metalwork throughout.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Courtyard
Same footprint as the Deluxe but with a courtyard-facing outlook — quieter, and the view into the cloister garden is worth the category upgrade. Same amenities throughout.
King or Twin · 24 sqm
Deluxe
The entry-level room and, honestly, not huge. At 24 sqm for two people you're not drowning in space, but the design compensates: rich textures, a Roberts Radio, Nespresso machine, Dyson hairdryer, and a rain shower. Most face the street or interior.
King or Twin · 24 sqm
Executive
Slightly larger than the Deluxe at 26 sqm, and one of the few rooms that can accommodate a third guest (extra bed at €50/night supplement). Good for a solo business traveler who wants a proper writing desk setup.
King or Twin · 26 sqm
Grand Place Suite
The flagship room at 77 sqm. Living room, dining room, and a luxury walk-in dressing room all face Grand Place and the town hall tower. There's a gas fireplace, a Bose sound system, rain shower and bath. If you want the full Brussels experience from your room window, this is it.
King · 77 sqm
Jacques-Louis David Suite
Named after the French neo-classical painter who lived and worked on this exact spot after his self-imposed exile from France in 1816. His final masterpiece, 'Mars Being Disarmed by Venus and the Three Graces' (1824), was painted here. The suite is split-level at 66 sqm, with separate living and dining sections built behind the original façade of David's home. Both historically fascinating and genuinely comfortable.
King · 66 sqm
Junior Courtyard Suite
The entry suite, and a noticeably peaceful option. It has a cozy salon that overlooks the garden and peeks into the restaurant — good for anyone who wants that 'quiet corner of a monastery' feeling without committing to full suite pricing. King bed, rain shower.
King · 35 sqm
Loft
Split-level room facing the pedestrian street and the opera house. It has a proper walk-in closet and a spacious bathroom with seating booths — it feels more like a compact apartment than a hotel room. One of the more distinctive configurations in the building.
King · 30 sqm
Opera Suite
66 sqm with the kind of high ceilings and huge windows that actually justify the word 'lofty'. Both the living room and dining section look out over old Brussels and the national opera theatre (La Monnaie). Great for an opera visit — the theatre is 50 meters from the front door.
King · 66 sqmStudio Apartments
Five serviced apartments in a separate building right next to the hotel, intended for stays of minimum one month. Each has a bedroom, living area, and a fully equipped kitchen (hotplate, microwave, dishwasher, pans, crockery). The Duplex studio on the top floor adds a separate living room and a private terrace. Guests get full access to all hotel facilities. Contact the hotel directly to arrange.
The Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Seasonal evening events in the Grand Lounge with live DJ sounds, cocktail creations, and gourmet tapas. No reservation required. Runs spring through early summer, then resumes in October.
The hotel regularly exhibits works by various artists throughout its public spaces. The lobby vitrines have hosted partnerships including a Longines watch display.
Monthly themed Sunday brunch in the Grand Lounge, 12pm–3pm. €89/person (children under 12 at 50%). All drinks included: bubbles on arrival, 3 homemade cocktails, wines, beers, soft drinks. Live music. Each month has a theme — Father's Day has a live BBQ in the Courtyard, Belgian National Day features local dishes, and there's a Design September edition tied to Brussels' design week.
Monthly themed afternoon tea event in the Grand Lounge. Each edition has a different theme (Garden in Bloom, Refreshing Summer, etc.) with fine teas, infusions, gourmet pastries, and live instrumental music. Reservations required, 2pm–5pm.
Three multi-functional meeting rooms equipped with 75-inch portable TV and 4K beamer. Maximum capacity up to 300 people. Fully equipped business center available for corporate guests.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Fully equipped business center with 3 meeting rooms, 75-inch portable TVs, and 4K beamer. Events capacity up to 300 people.
Free WiFi throughout all rooms and public areas.
Seasonal outdoor terrace in the hotel's inner cloister garden under an old fig tree. One of the more atmospheric outdoor spaces in central Brussels.
Complimentary Nespresso and tea amenities in all rooms.
Roberts Radio provided in all rooms.
Safe sized to fit a laptop, available in all rooms.
Individual climate control in all rooms.
Shuttle service available to Brussels Airport (BRU) — approximately 15km/20 min. Also available to Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL). No on-site parking.
The hotel does not have its own parking facility. Guests should plan for nearby public parking.
Turkish steam room open daily 7am–11pm. Complimentary for hotel guests.
Finnish sauna open daily 7am–11pm. Complimentary for hotel guests.
Treadmills, ellipticals, home trainers, and a boxing room. Open daily 7am–11pm. Included in the room rate.
BUILD YOUR THE DOMINICAN PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning