Blooma Hotel Liège Centre - Handwritten Collection: a botanic retreat

Arriving at Blooma Hotel Liège Centre - Handwritten Collection, we park our car around the back and enter through the garden, which sets the tone for our city break: peaceful, green and filled with thoughtful touches. Housed within a former linen factory and a 17th-century convent, the hotel is full of historic character. Think arched doorways and vaulted brick ceilings fused with sleek, modern design and a fresh, botanical vibe.

While there's everything you'd expect in a four-star destination, this definitely isn’t an anonymous chain hotel. Little touches make it feel personal: subtle scents in the air, tea rituals in the lobby, the gorgeous garden and stunning restaurant setting. Visiting as a couple, we picked this hotel for its location – with a tram stop and riverside walks right outside – but it's the warm welcome and authentic atmosphere that confirm we made the right choice.

The first thing that strikes us at Blooma Hotel Liège Centre is how unexpected it feels. From the outside, the building looks ordinary and understated. But once inside, the space opens up into a long, sleek lobby lined with elegant arches – a legacy of the building’s past as a linen factory and convent – which anchor the hotel in its history.

Soft light filters through the space, reflecting off the calm, neutral tones. There’s a subtle, fruity scent in the air enhancing the hotel’s botanical story. Benches line the lobby, a large communal table topped with flowers becomes a natural meeting point, and we notice a small corner stocked with books, where a guest is quietly reading.

The design throughout the public spaces draws inspiration from nature and nearby botanical gardens. You’ll spot plants everywhere, from the lobby to the courtyard, along with window boxes filled with aromatic herbs that are also used in the kitchen. This isn’t decorative greenery for show – it’s part of a wider sensory experience that runs through the hotel. We are invited to enjoy tea rituals in the lobby, discover a different plant story each day and even take a packet of wildflower seeds home with us upon check-out.

The hotel itself is made up of two distinct parts. The historic 17th-century convent houses the restaurant, bar and event spaces, where stunning vaulted ceilings, exposed brickwork and stone arches create a cosy, atmospheric setting. The former linen factory contains the lobby and guest rooms, which have been renovated with muted colours and botanical artwork, and equipped with all mod cons. The two buildings are connected via the first floor and through the pretty garden, linked by a covered glass walkway which complements the indoor-outdoor flow.

What Blooma Hotel Liège Centre does so well is balance contrasts: old and new, city and garden, professionalism and warmth. It feels authentic rather than anonymous, calm rather than showy. This sense of place – rooted in history, nature and thoughtful hospitality – is, to us, what defines Blooma’s identity and leaves a lasting impression.

After check-in, we head up to our Deluxe Room overlooking the river. We're pleased to find it's minimalist and spacious, with a large window framing views of the Meuse and filling the space with natural light.

The king-sized bed, immaculately dressed in crisp linen, sits at the heart of the room and promises a great night’s sleep. There's a double sofabed for flexibility, while little extras like a desk with books, tea and coffee facilities, a large flatscreen TV and a fridge stocked with water make settling in easy. Subtle botanical details – from artwork inspired by plants to soft, natural tones – echo the hotel’s garden-led concept.

The modern bathroom continues the theme, with a walk-in rain shower and divine-smelling organic products from The Botanist & The Chemist adding a fresh, natural touch. Everything feels well considered, comfortable and quietly stylish – the kind of room we know we'll be happy to return to after a day exploring Liège.

The food and drink quickly become a highlight of our stay at Blooma Hotel Liège Centre, starting with the unique setting of La Linière, the hotel’s restaurant and bar. Surrounded by historic brickwork and masonry with soft ambient lighting, dining feels intimate and special.

Breakfast is served here each morning, with a continental buffet of fresh breads, pastries, waffles and local specialties. Later on, La Linière becomes a cosy lounge, welcoming in-the-know locals as well as hotel guests. We notice a real mix: couples sharing plates, business guests grabbing lunch before meetings upstairs, airline crew unwinding after a shift.

The à la carte menu leans towards seasonal, locally inspired dishes, with a strong focus on sharing. We're keen to try a bit of everything, and start with the famous Boulets Liégeois – succulent meatballs in a rich, sweet-savoury sauce. The prawn croquettes and falafel with hummus are equally delicious. For mains, the signature dishes of honey-glazed celeriac with harissa and poultry ballotine are beautifully refined and presented with edible flowers. Pair it all with a botanical-inspired cocktail, local beer or Belgian wine, and it’s easy to see why La Linière is a destination in its own right.

One of the most unexpected features at Blooma Hotel Liège Centre is the delightful courtyard and garden – a rare find in a city-centre hotel. The space is tastefully landscaped with hedges, flower beds and aromatic herbs that echo the greenery inside. In warmer months, it feels like a natural extension of La Linière, with tables and chairs set up under a canopy awning and meals served beneath strings of twinkling bulbs.

We end up spending some long, lazy moments here – morning coffee, an afternoon tea and pre-dinner drinks in the sunshine. The garden feels protected and peaceful, a little oasis where you can relax and soak in Blooma’s serene, nature-inspired world before heading out into the bustling city.

As this is our first visit to Liège, we're keen to get out and explore. We'd heard the city is known for being authentic and unpretentious – a real place where people live, work and relax. One of the staff told us about La Batte, the Sunday morning market along the river, so we swing by to explore the stalls, filled with local produce, flowers and crafts. After a quick stop at charming local shop Saperlipopette for their famed chouquettes (little sugared pastries), we stroll into the heart of the city.

The historic Old Town is like an open-air museum, with narrow medieval streets and interesting buildings on every corner. We pass landmarks like Gothic St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Renaissance Palace of the Prince-Bishops and the Art Nouveau Maison Van der Shrick, each reflecting Liège’s rich history, industrial past and artistic spirit. The streets are lively but not overrun with tourists, and we enjoy wandering around. We could take the tram back (there's a tram stop right outside the hotel), but decide to meander slowly instead to Brasserie C, a popular microbrewery just a short walk from the hotel, to sample its authentic Belgian beers and plan tomorrow's adventures.

• Business clients seeking well-equipped meeting rooms, fast Wi-Fi and a 24-hour gym
• Couples looking for a city break in a lesser-explored, authentic town
• Romantics celebrating weddings, anniversaries or special occasions
• Families who enjoy a relaxed, unhurried stay with public transport on the doorstep
• Solo travellers looking for a comfortable, stylish base to explore Liège at their own pace
• Nature enthusiasts wanting a peaceful, green retreat within the city

1. The lush garden oasis: Flowers, a canvas canopy and strings of bulbs make the courtyard and garden a plant-filled, serene escape.
2. The vaulted brick restaurant: La Linière’s historic arches and modern styling create a stunning backdrop for food, cocktails and atmosphere.
3. The architectural lobby: The modern lobby with its intriguing arches, front desk and botanical tea station is a light-filled, photogenic space.
4. Riverside views: Snap the sunrise or evening reflections from the windows of the riverside rooms, with natural light and river scenery all in one frame.
5. Proximity to Liège’s Old Town: Cobblestone streets, historic façades and lively squares capture the authentic, unpretentious charm of the city.

Address: Quai Saint Leonard 36, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Public transport: Tram stop right outside, connecting to the city centre and train station.