Hôtel Indigo Brussels City - 2022

H OT E L

M A A G B O O K

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CONTENTS

03 Editorial Dear curious traveller 04 Our story Neighbourhood-inspired and inspiring 05 Our story Between green walls 06 SERRA Inspired by nature 07 SERRA A continuous evolution 08 Events 10 Meet our team 12 Explore our neighbourhood A day in Brussels 13 Explore our neighbourhood Must-dos 14 Our local partners URBI Leaf / Beurre Plaquette 15 Our local partners European Yoga & Wellness / NiKita 16 Stay updated

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Writers: Aurélie Billecard, Laura MacDonagh. Photos: Hotel Indigo Brussels-City, Visit.brussels - Jean-Paul Rémy, Gerrie Van Der Walt, Alexandra Gorn, Tetiana Bykovets. This magazine has been designed and edited by MAAGBOOK. Total or partial reproduction of this document is forbidden and can lead to lawsuits.

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HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS-CITY

EDITORIAL

Olena Drozd

General Manager

Dear curious traveller, As the new General Manager of this vibrant boutique hotel, I’ve experienced an incredibly warm welcome from the team here. I want to make sure you feel the same!

So, welcome to our urban oasis, packed with botanical inspiration and intriguing touches. We specialise in creating authentic connections, memorable experiences and enduring relationships with our guests.

You’ll soon see that we like to do things differently. We’re rooted in the city-centre of Brussels, with all its energy and vibrancy.

But we’re also committed to a more sustainable approach, working in harmony with nature. Drawing inspiration from our neighbour, the Botanical Gardens, our cocoonlike rooms are both dynamic and tranquil, styled in striking herbal, tropical or floral themes. Get ready to relax – and to be inspired.

Below our stylish surface, there’s also substance.

Hotel Indigo Brussels - City was created for curious travellers craving new experiences.

Feel free to explore our unique events,

workshops and activities programme and live Brussels like a local. And if you’re looking for something specific – a great restaurant, or must-see sight? Don’t hesitate to ask.

I wish you an incredible stay with us!

Please let us know what you’re up to online (tag us @hotelindigobrusselscity)!

HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS-CITY

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OUR STORY

Neighbourhood-inspired and inspiring Welcome to Hotel Indigo Brussels City: a green oasis in the heart of Brussels.

Located on Place Charles Rogier in the heart of Brussels, we’re the liveliest hotel in the neighbourhood, with a quirky character that’s all our own.

We’re all about authentic local experiences, contemporary green design and personalised service. Conscious citizen of the world? You’ll feel right at home.

Every Hotel Indigo®️ has its own story, and ours is inspired by the nearby Botanical Gardens. Our lush green façade contrasts with the sea of glass and steel surrounding us, and our eco garden-inspired aesthetic brings nature’s beauty and calm indoors.

The Botanical Garden’s greenhouses are an exciting cultural hub, hosting events, concerts, exhibitions and more.

At Hotel Indigo, we celebrate this fusion of horticulture and urban life in everything from our decor to our exceptional green dining experiences at SERRA. Come and enjoy nature’s finest banquet with us.

And while we’re perfectly positioned for Brussels’ must-see tourist sights, we also encourage guests to step off the tourist trail. Join our authentic weekly and monthly events, created for both natives and visitors – you’re bound to find stimulating activities, sparky conversations and deep connections.

Modern yet eco, intimate yet chic, discover Brussels at Hotel Indigo Brussels - City.

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HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS-CITY

OUR STORY

Between green walls Meet Patrick Gersemeter, our in-house horticulturist.

Celebrating nature every day, Patrick tends the green walls and plethora of plants which bring Hotel Indigo Brussels City to life. “With nearly 330 tropical plants, many of which have purifying properties, we’ve created an incredible oasis unlike any other hotel I’ve come across”, says Patrick.

Patrick is dedicated to making our hotel a relaxing green space, trimming and treating the plants daily using organic products and natural fertilisers to help them flourish both indoors and outdoors.

“Many guests from the hotel and restaurant strike a pose in front of the green walls for a picture, and they often ask about them while I work. This is just what we want – people to pause, appreciate this beautiful green space and learn more about different species of plants from across the world.”

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SERRA

Inspired by nature Both of our eateries – Urban Picnic and Garden Kitchen – are served by SERRA, our eco-friendly Green keycertified restaurant.

SERRA specialises in fresh, seasonal, utterly authentic dishes. Our menu is 80% vegetarian, almost exclusively organic and totally delicious. Like meat but prefer it guiltfree? Portions of organic meat are available on the side, and all of our seafood is sustainably sourced.

For the team at SERRA, knowing where your food comes from is just as important as how it tastes. From our fruits, veggies and microgreens to our honey, bread, cheese and animal products, we use suppliers so local we count them as friends. Why seasonal? Because we believe it’s impossible to match the taste and freshness of food produced naturally and close to home.

Grab a quick bite or a few drinks at Urban Picnic or sit back and enjoy our unique and thoughtful menu at Garden Kitchen. Wherever you decide to take your seat, you’re guaranteed to experience honest, great-tasting food and delightful service.

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HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS-CITY

SERRA

A continuous evolution Nature is constantly evolving, and so is our menu concept. SERRA chefs Pierre Balthazar and Etienne Mahieu bring their considerable experience and creativity to the table and are passionate about what they serve.

“I love tracing local products through their seasonality and transforming them into simple yet powerful flavours,” says Etienne Mahieu. For Pierre Balthazar, his inspiration is “recipes with seasonal flavours that make me happy, and that I’d share with my friends."

To take this concept further, food expert Sophie UgeuxRemak is on board to support SERRA’s chefs as they launch a completely refreshed menu. Homeschooled on a chicken farm until the age of 10, Sophie’s love of authentic food started young.

Currently training as a market gardener, Sophie is passionate about small scale organic farms, asking questions and creative approaches to food preparation and cooking. “My inspiration comes from all of my foodie experiences,” she says. “I’m also inspired by nature our vegetarian-friendly approach at SERRA needs no introduction, but I’m interested in going deeper into what’s good for us humans and good for the planet.”

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EVENTS

Lunchtime Yoga

Terrarium Tribe

Locavore Cooking Masterclass

Rejuvenate and reconnect with a yoga class that will transport you out of your head. This gentle flow class is for anyone who wants a relaxing practice, with slow paced movements focusing on alignment, strength, balance and flexibility.

Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing Sauna session and/or relish a healthy lunch and refreshing drink.

A fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll make your own terrarium - perfect for your desk or bookcase.

Under the expert eye of our resident horticulturist, Patrick, choose the perfect plants for your very own self sufficient - and super-instagrammable - pocket plant ecosystem. Be inspired by Serra’s boho design and urban jungle vibes while you work, and enjoy a wholesome bite or a drink from our Garden Kitchen afterwards.

A cooking class with a difference, hosted monthly

by Chef Pierre Balthazar and Etienne Mahieu.

Using specially selected ingredients from our trusted local suppliers, you’ll learn how to prepare a delicious two-course meal true to the Serra philosophy: honest, authentic and tasty.

Sessions are themed according to seasonal specialities, plus you’ll learn how to pair your dish with the perfect wine.

Every Monday 12h00 – 13h00

Alternate Wednesdays 18h00 – 19h30

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HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS-CITY

Please check our events calendar on www.serrabrussels.be/events for dates.

EVENTS

Cocktail Masterclass

Afterworks with NiKiTA

Indoor Garden Brunch

Our Cocktail Masterclass, hosted by popular local Brussels cocktail bar, Life is Beautiful, is a favourite with Brussels locals. Expert mixologist Harouna will teach you how to make some of your favourite drinks featuring small distillery spirits and fresh, seasonal ingredients - plus some tricks on cocktail pairing, too. Grab a shaker and mix things up.

Come and hang out every Thursday evening at SERRA’s Urban Picnic during our famous Happy Hours with NiKiTA playing her beats. Eat, drink and dance in our indoor urban jungle, with food and drink prices at 5 to 8 euros (we call it our 5-to-8 menu)! Packed with plants, cosy couches, plush poufs and a well-stocked bar, it’s the perfect setting for kicking off the weekend a little early.

What better way to start a Sunday than with brunch? Bring friends and family and join us in SERRA’s Garden Kitchen to toast the weekend in style with juices, bubbles, cocktails or coffee.

Food-wise, we’ve got everything from fluffy waffles to delicious and wholesome main meals.

Please check our events calendar on www.serrabrussels.be/events for the dates.

Every Sunday 12h00 – 15h30

Every Thursdays 17h30 – 22h00

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MEET OUR TEAM

Mathijs Soete Sales Manager After many years as the Front Office Manager here, Mathijs has now evolved into a new role into the commercial team. He saw his role as being more than ‘just’ concierge, and defined himself as an ambassador for Brussels. “By telling stories about the area, we help our guests discover the neighbourhood differently - just like a local.”

And now, he is ready to take this passion to the next level! “More than anything, I’d like our guests to remember an exceptional experience - and I think our warmth and relationship-building will help that happen!” Mathijs, well-known for charming our guests with his goodwill and guidance, is now excited to recreate the same in our commercial department!

"We help our guests discover the neighbourhood differently."

Contact: sales@indigo.brussels

MATHIJS SOETE

Gaspare Zambito Assistant Food & Beverage Manager

"Hotel Indigo Brussels-City feels like home."

“Hotel Indigo Brussels - City feels like home”, according to Gaspare, who works tirelessly to give guests a unique and unforgettable experience at SERRA. Gaspare always has a lot on his plate at Garden Kitchen and Urban Picnic, but always looks relaxed, moving around the restaurant with a smile. “I like to make sure that clients are brought together to share a singular experience.”

From Afterworks with NiKiTA and Indoor Garden Brunch to terrarium, cocktail and cooking workshops, Gaspare focuses on exceeding guests’ and customers’ expectations time and time again.

Contact: info@serrabrussels.be

GASPARE ZAMBITO

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HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS-CITY

MEET OUR TEAM

Abiola Ogundana Front Office Supervisor “It has been my absolute pleasure to brighten up the day of our guests during their stay! I have been doing it for 4 years now, but I love it just as much, even today.” Abiola is one of the first friendly faces you will see when you visit our hotel! Quick to start conversations and jump in to help, she says “Most of the time, there is a chance to connect and interact. I’m really interested in knowing the stories of our guests, and why they come to visit us.” Ask her anything, and she’ll have an answer! “Since there is always something to do in Brussels, I love to tell them about the ongoing events in the neighbourhood or drop a suggestion to a fine location for our famous Belgian fries or waffles.” That’s about Brussels, but what does she love the most about working here?

“We support each other to deliver the best service.

We’re very approachable and quite agreeable, and that’s something we share with the people of Brussels in general!”

"There is a chance to connect and interact."

ABIOLA OGUNDANA

Contact: fo@indigo.brussels

Miet Vervenne Group & Event Manager

"I just want the groups to enjoy their time."

Miet’s main aim is to make your experience totally unique. Miet organises everything from beginning to end, with an incredible eye for detail and taking care to ensure smooth coordination.

“In this beautiful, green property, I just want to bring people together and for them to enjoy their time and feel at home.” From providing meeting rooms to arranging cocktail parties, banqueting, group lunches or dinners, Miet always finds a way to transform the working day. “I’m really proud of our meeting rooms - they’re different to the norm, and they all reflect the Hotel Indigo Brussels – City’s quirky, homely vibe.”

MIET VERVENNE

Contact: groups@indigo.brussels

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EXPLORE OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

A day in Brussels Not far from the Grand Place, you’ll find Manneken Pis - a playful statue of a little boy said to capture Brussels’ mischievous spirit. Often accessorized with interesting costumes, it’s one not to miss.

Another must-see is the Comic Strip Museum, housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta.

Here you’ll find the creators and heroes of the so-called 9th Art, from Tintin to the Smurfs. You can also follow the comic strip walking tour and find Brussels famous murals and street art. Go on an adventure where creativity has no limits.

To end your stroll on a high note - literally - talk a walk around the Mont des Arts, where you’ll find the Royal Library, the General Archives, the Palais des Congrès and a garden. From its immense esplanade, the Mont des Arts offers one of the most magnificent views of the city, and the ideal spot to admire the sunset.

Want to visit some of Brussel’s most sparkling gems? There’s no better way than by starting off with a walk surrounded by greenery.

Just a few metres from the Hotel Indigo Brussels - City, the beautiful Botanical Garden offers some respite from the busy city. With its English, Italian and French influences, this enchanting space is home to countless species of plants and trees. It’s the perfect place for a morning, afternoon or evening stroll.

Next, visit the unmissable Grand Place and stroll through the surrounding cobbled streets. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the world’s most beautiful squares, this iconic location still serves a political and administrative function as home to Brussels Town Hall.

Enjoy the numerous festivities, from concerts and cultural events to the flower carpet rolled out every summer.

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HOT TIP Expand your explorations with a personalised bike • tour by a local guide in English, French and Dutch.

More information and booking at Front Office.

HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS-CITY

EXPLORE OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

MUST-DOS

DRINK BELGIAN BEER

ENJOY A PICNIC IN THE PARK

Belgium is home to the world’s favourite beer, with more than 700 types in production. And luckily, you don’t have to go far to try them. Go on a tasting tour in SERRA where we have some of Belgium’s best beers on tap, including Brussels Beer Project – a local favourite.

Sometimes no plan is the best plan. Brussels has plenty of parks, and one of them is right in our backyard.

Grab a SERRA picnic basket for two and enjoy lunch or snacks – and perhaps a glass or two of wine – on a lazy day. Just give Reception the heads-up.

EAT OUR FAMOUS BELGIAN WAFFLES

SHOP AT RUE NEUVE AND CITY 2 MALL

If beer is Belgium’s pride, then waffles is its joy - and a four-hundred-year-old tradition. Sweet or savoury, piled high with toppings or eaten plain, it is almost impossible to resist them. Tuck in or miss out. They’re everywhere for good reason.

No trip is complete without a spot of retail therapy.

Rue Neuve is one of the busiest shopping spots in Brussels and home to dozens of popular stores, starting with the City 2 Mall right at the top of the road.

VISIT COSY LITTLE CHOCOLATE SHOPS

POSE IN FRONT OF THE GALERIES ROYALES SAINT-HUBERT

Belgian chocolate is exceptional. Often called the best chocolate in the world, it’s synonymous with exquisite quality and taste. Try as many as you can, and take some home for your friends and family - plus some more for yourself.

Built in the 19th century, the Galeries Royales SaintHubert were the first covered shopping arcades in Europe.

An ensemble of three halls bringing cafés and boutiques under one roof, the Galeries are truly stunning - and much-loved by Instagrammers.

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OUR LOCAL PARTNERS

Beurre Plaquette Savour delicious butter at Hotel Indigo Brussels - City thanks to our sustainable partner L&L Plaquette.

Internationally famous for their delicious butter and yoghurt, L&L Plaquette has been a Belgian staple since the 1800s.

The “butter specialist” does everything possible to offer the best products on the market, starting with the grass animals graze on. The soil is enriched with minerals, meaning healthier plants, higher quality milk, and extremely tasty butter and yoghurt.

L&L Plaquette offers healthy and delicious products with personality and character. And with 15 different types of butter, the brand has a flavour for every palette. Purists can opt for their original soft or flower of salt butter, while more adventurous types can choose from truffle butter, 3 algae, or even the beer malt variety. As Lionel says: “I do the best with what nature gives us.”

URBI Leaf Enjoy delicious and nutritious microgreens by URBI Leaf.

With L&L Plaquette, not only is the taste unique, but the brand is also eco-conscious. The butter comes in a candy shape, wrapped in food parchment paper. Authentic and tactile, the paper conserves the butter’s freshness, and is the perfect size for an individual serving. A benchmark of style and sustainability, expect nothing less from your stay at Hotel Indigo Brussels - City.

In the heart of Brussels City, you’ll find URBI Leaf: an urban farm dedicated to microgreens production.

Anne, the founder, discovered a sustainable way to grow food 4 to 40 times richer in nutrients than their adult version using a vertical cultivation system with a low environmental impact. “Favouring quality over quantity, we produce more than thirty varieties, and I’m always looking for new species to cultivate.”

SERRA, which prepares meals using eco-friendly and local ingredients, now has its very own production system.

The hotel is a perfect host for URBI Leaf’s products, with the building’s heating system perfectly suited to growing sustainable microgreens. The road from farm to table has never been shorter. We integrate delicious and nutritious products into many recipes, such as salads, sandwiches, pasta, soups, fruit juices, and even gourmet dishes. Be sure to taste the microgreens at SERRA - there’s a huge choice including coriander, fennel, amaranth, mustard, pink or purple radish, sage or sunflower.

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HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS-CITY

OUR LOCAL PARTNERS

NiKiTA Dance with NiKiTA as she plays her beats every Thursday during Afterworks and Sunday during brunch.

European Yoga & Wellness

Unable to connect with the DJ mixes she heard on the Brussels music scene, NiKiTA decided to get behind the turntables in 2018. Mixing Deep House, Minimal, Afro and Indian House, Tech House, and Techno, NiKiTA – real name Catherine Leleu – finds her inspiration from places she travels to. “What stimulates me is my dance moves when I let myself go on the dance floor – I just want to make people dance!” A dancer who turned to mixing, you’ll see NiKiTA move to the beat of her own her set – and you’ll be powerless to resist her rhythm.

NiKiTA made her debut at Hotel Indigo Brussels - City in 2021 and, since then, she’s set the mood in SERRA every time she performs. “I’m a huge fan of Hotel Indigo Brussels - City and SERRA. It goes well with my vibe: we’re a perfect match. I really feel at home here - and this is where I make my best mixes! ''

Lift your energy levels in a beautiful indoor garden-style surrounding with European Yoga & Wellness.

European Yoga & Wellness teaches more than just flexibility: it promotes a way of life.

“Mindfulness, awareness, continuous growth and, of course, lots of fun!” says instructor Riviera. The aim? To create a safe space for everyone to relax and feel at home. “I fell in love with this place the very first time I saw it. Hotel Indigo Brussels - City is a perfect place for yoga.”

Located in Brussels for over 12 years, our partner studio is well-known for its classic 26+2 Hot Yoga classes, and its experienced yoga instructors who are opening studios all over the world. Advocating a long, happy life, balanced between the physical and spiritual, let’s grow into better, happier, and healthier human beings - together.

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HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS - CITY CONTINUES ONLINE

Place Charles Rogier 20, 1210 Brussels Tél. : +32 (0)2 203 31 25

@HotelIndigoBrusselsCity

@hotelindigobrusselscity

@ www.indigobrusselscity.com

HOTEL INDIGO BRUSSELS-CITY