La Villa Maurice

Hotels aren't exactly thick on the ground on this page – even less so in Brussels – but I recently had the chance to test out this little gem, and it would have been a real shame not to share it with you.

The place, typically Bruxellois, is just a stone's throw from the Bois de la Cambre, the Abbaye and the student quarter of Cimetière d'Ixelles. Could be worse as a neighbourhood.

The place has just undergone a complete overhaul with obvious talent. The wow details are everywhere, no matter where you look: steel interior frames, tiled kitchen accessible for breakfast, carefully sourced and perfectly restored furniture, beautiful wallpapers, a sublimely gorgeous palm lamp and the completely adorable seventies armchairs in our room… Everything has been thought through, considered and chosen with impeccable taste.

On the comfort front, nothing to complain about. Ultra-comfy bedding that managed the feat of pleasing both of us; a little lift that saves you the luggage hassle; plush carpeting that you sink into with every step… You're genuinely cosy.

And because at every post, you've got to talk yummy at some point or other, I'm wrapping up with breakfast. No overflowing buffet full of mediocre stuff, but a small selection of excellent local products carefully sourced: yoghurt from Ferme du Tambourin, jams from Ferme des 12 Bonniers (and their mind-blowing choco-hazelnut spread), honey harvested just down the road, coffee from the folks at Corica, fresh eggs and lovely cheeses whose origin I've forgotten.

Just four rooms, nicely spacious, a cute little urban garden perfect for sunny days, a pleasant lounge to wait in if needed: nothing's missing. The kind of spot you'd love to find in every city you land in. Too bad this one's just round the corner from my place…