Botaniek

The three-star Hotel Botaniek is a reliable pick. With double rooms nearing €100 a night, it’s not cheap, but it offers a solid value. The hotel is located two blocks south of the fish market and is a five-minute walk to Burg Square.

The Botaniek is a small, intimate affair, with nine rooms warmly decorated with an attention to detail. Rooms are mostly big and bright, and are painted white and blue or cream and gold. Second floor rooms feature high ceilings and mirrored, antique dressers. Top-floor rooms offer lovely views of city hall and the bell tower. Two rooms provide views out onto Astrid Park, one block away.

The downstairs lounge offers the warmth of a grandmother’s home, furnished with traditional sofas, chairs, framed art and tapestries. The entire hotel is non-smoking.