Made in Louise & Made in Catherine, Brussels

During our latest visit to Brussels, we chose to divide our time between two hotels that really embody the diversity that the city has to offer. Made in Catherine and Made in Louise are sister boutique hotels, independently-run and, like sisters, are vastly different and unique in their own ways.

Brussels is a city of contradictions, where old meets new and where delicate art nouveau meets ’60s Brutalism. It’s also a city divided into two parts: the quartiers frequented by tourists, where heritage bars serve half-and-halfs and visitors gaze in awe at the gilded buildings of the Grand-Place, and those parts where tourists rarely venture, but where the real beating heart of the city (not to mention its finest eateries and watering holes) can be found.

Made in Catherine is located in the former, and Made in Louise in the latter, offering guests a true 360˚ experience of the city.

From the outside, Made in Catherine could pass for one such coffee shop. Its sleek floor-length windows are the perfect people-watching vantage point, and outdoor tables and chairs bring guests even closer to the action. With the sun shining down on the square today, this has to be one of the most desirable coffee spots in the city. From the chatter of the voices around, we can tell that most of the visitors are local bruxelloises, here to meet friends or work remotely. The Duchateau family, owners of the Made In… hotels, surely struck gold with this historic property with Art Nouveau touches that embody the city’s illustrious past.

Inside the hotel, great care has been made to retain the original features that tell the story of the building’s past, such as decorative ceiling mouldings and curved archways. This is reinforced through newer stylistic touches in the form of art deco replica furniture and exposed brick walls. Other than a large mid-century style desk, you could easily mistake Made in Catherine for a chic neighbourhood coffee shop rather than a hotel.

Upon check-in, guests are issued a voucher entitling them to one full-sized complimentary drink (wine, beer or soft) at the hotel’s bar. We grab a table with a perfect view of the passing crowds in the Place beyond, and sip our first Belgian beer of the trip. It’s a lager from the Bertinchamps brewery in southern Belgium (served in the correct glass, of course), which takes a contemporary approach to brewing. It’s taking Belgian tradition and putting a modern spin on it – much like the ethos at Made in Catherine.

The hotel is so new that it still has the faint aroma of fresh paint and everything is spotless. We’re staying in one of the Charming category rooms (there are five categories, from Single to Executive) – a duplex that begins with an open storage area and bathroom, as well as a staircase that leads to the bedroom on the lower floor.

The room’s carpeted interior, low ceilings and mood lighting create a cosy atmosphere in contrast with the cold outdoors. The furnishings in the room are deliberately minimal – just the bed, an armchair in Borg fabric, and wardrobe/desk, on which a welcome gift of chocolate from fashionable Belgian brand Meurisse awaits us. The neutral tones and wooden beamed ceiling bring warmth to the room, enhanced by sleek down-lit lamps.

As the day progresses, the hotel’s bar takes on many different forms. During the afternoon, it’s an ideal spot for coffee and relaxing with a book, transforming into a moody spot for a drink in the evening, and then changing again in the morning for the breakfast buffet, which is included with the room rate. It’s a continental breakfast containing all the Belgian classics you’d expect (read: fresh pastries and much-loved spreads like Speculoos) as well as a selection of cheeses, charcuterie and cooked breakfast options.

As we head out early in the morning, Place Sainte-Catherine is already abuzz with people and the tables outside Made in Catherine are once again full, the impressive Sainte Catherine church mere steps from the front door. We head across town to experience the big sister of the duo, Made in Louise.

Far from a generic chain hotel, the building occupied by the hotel is a former townhouse from 1911 in a suburban side-street of the Ixelles area. It was a hotel for many decades before the building was bought and completely renovated in 2011 by the Duchateaus.

These days, it’s a welcoming space with natural light pouring through skylights and a cosy crackling fire in the sitting room. Guests can help themselves to complimentary pastries, coffee, and still/sparkling water from the pantry which also doubles as a shop selling local goods, snacks, and the Clinique products found in the bedrooms. There’s a games room with billiards table and a garden that soaks in the sun all day. Here, you’ll find one of the property’s most unique features: a life-sized outdoor chess board. Just visible beyond the garden are an array of Brussels-style homes, some stately, some with cutting-edge architectural design, and all offering a unique insight into local life.

We’re staying in Room 8, a large space with double windows that open fully to reveal Juliet balconies overlooking the garden. In keeping with the rest of the house, the room is bright and airy, with a playful patterned feature wall and contemporary furniture. Some redecoration is soon planned to restore the house to its finest condition, but we found that the slightly lived-in look added to the feeling of being welcomed into someone’s family home.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that the family feel of the hotels is accentuated by a team of friendly and helpful staff, who are more than happy to make recommendations for the local area and make sure that you have everything you need during your stay.

With the addition of Made in Catherine, the Duchateau family is making their mark on the Brussels boutique hotel scene, which, as an industry, is still finding its feet. The beauty of Brussels lies in discovering the neighbourhoods outside of the Grand-Place, and a stay divided between Made in Louise and Made in Catherine unlocks just that. It’s a city best discovered through the eyes of locals; through using local products, eating pastries from local bakeries, and wandering down the side streets normally reserved for residents. Dividing our time between the Made in… hotels facilitated this, while keeping the tourist centre comfortably close by.

With the opening of their second property, it feels like the Duchateaus have created a model that has the potential for further expansion. We hope very much to return one day in the not-too-distant future to experience the next charming edition.

We stayed
in a ‘Charming’ room at Made in Catherine, priced from €180 per night including continental breakfast and welcome drink.

and a ‘Charming’ room at Made in Louise, priced from €160 per night including breakfast (free pastries, coffee/tea, water provided)

For best rates, book directly through the Made in Catherine and Made in Louise websites.

This was a media visit – all opinions are our own.