Misunderstandings can sometimes have a touch of irony. The people of Brussels were amused by the fact that the reviled Spanish rulers translated the Flemish name of the building, which served as a prison in the 16th century, as “friend.” As a result, the name Amigo continues to adorn the imposing, red brick building with the Renaissance façade, only a few steps away from Brussels’ famous Grand Place. Since its renovation in 2002 by the Rocco Forte Group, this distinguished luxury hotel no longer harbors any traces whatsoever of its former function. Designer Olga Polizzi has clearly left her mark, lending the 188-room building an air of elegant, contemporary understatement. Traditional Flemish elements, such as the authentic Brussels paving stone in the lobby or the valuable Gobelins on the walls, set a special tone.
