Beer, bath and Belgian culture

It was once reported that there was a café (serving beer), for every five houses in this country so it’s no surprise that we’re able to find an ultra-cool beer-themed spa in the heart of downtown Brussels.

Situated on Rue de L’ecuyer, close to the world famous Grote Markt, Bath & Barley—the Belgium beer spa, has made its home in a renovated, centuries old building. Here grand vaults are cleverly restored as private spa bathing rooms where patrons immerse themselves in all that’s truly wonderful and good about beer. 

To beer or not to beer is no longer a question, as soakers sink into oak barrel style tubs heated to 39 degrees celsius with their choice of a soothing blend of hops and herbs. The hops, harvested by a local farmer are said to contain the most powerful of antioxidants—Xantholhumol with the added benefits of yeast’s bioactive skin nourishing properties. For additional body bliss, a large spa sauna called the Monk is kept at 70O C with cool down cold water in a barrel at the ready. 

Après soak, lounge with your bath-mate on a couch or straw bed covered by a linen sheet. Rest up during a warm and comfortable continuation of the experience that’ll give you the special opportunity to taste new beers, delicious bites and try an optional flight for two of local beers, the likes of which have helped to make the city a UNESCO cultural site.

P.S. Be prepared to head home smelling like beer…the Beer & Barley spa team suggests waiting for a period of four hours after treatment to shower off. 

beerandbarley.com

HF Recommends:

All the ladies
Consumption of Estaminet, the house beer, is included in your spa visit. For a little extra, guests can experience the true breadth and width of Belgium beer with one of seven curated beer flights. Our favourite:  All the ladies—a collection of amazing beers by noteworthy women.

Get our newsletter

Get monthly updates with unique HomeFront updates and stay up to date with tips and trends

The Meandering Epicurist

Mother Cocktail Bar Massimo Zitti is a microbe wrangler, and his frustration is that microbes don’t always behave. I’m at the edgy Queen Street West strip, where facial stubble and lofts in old factories dominate, but fear not, this is

Kat Florence Hotel

A bejewelled private haven nestled in the heart of the prettiest of villages Canadian A-list jewellery designer, Kat Florence is on a mission to transform her hometown of Elora, Ontario, into the chicest of destination with her recently opened boutique

Summer sipping

Summer Sipping Summer calls for wines of finesse. Think crystalline whites, rosés the colour of a Provençal sunset, and lightly chilled reds with red-fruit lift. These picks are made for the patio, the dock, and long dinners that linger past

Rooted in tradition:

Unlocking the magic of a famous lakeside country house  The Lake District, located in Cumbria, Northwest England, is the country’s largest National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famed for its dramatic glaciated valleys, shimmering ribbon lakes, and highest

And then there were three…

In a carefully-planned addition to their au-courant family of boutique hotels that trades harbour views for high country charm, White Elephant hotels is celebrating the opening of its latest outpost. From socialite Elizabeth Ludwig’s 1920’s East Coast passion project which

Some places impress, others stay with you

Far more than a slogan, “intentionality” is a mindset that’s woven into the Rancho Valencia guest experience in ways both large and small, creating an atmosphere where guests feel seen, valued and genuinely cared for. Nestled on 45 acres of