Hostellerie La Butte aux Bois is a beautifully located country estate in Lanaken in Belgium. The small town of Lanaken is located in the Limburg province, near the border with The Netherlands. The cities of Maastricht in The Netherlands, Aachen in Germany, and Liège in Belgium are only a short distance away from the property. Other highlights in the neighbourhood include the Hoge Kempen National (nature) Park and Maasmechelen Outlet Shopping. However, one will quickly discover that La Butte aux Bois has enough highlights to spend your holiday on the estate itself.

Hostellerie La Butte aux Bois is much more than a hotel. Yes, the 59 charming rooms are an important part of the complex, but the gastronomic restaurant La Source also is a destination in itself. Then there is the beautiful, brand new Spa La Forêt, an ultimate haven of stylish relaxation. But let us start with the hotel itself.

The original building (Le Mansoir) was built for a knight and his family and transformed into an elegant hotel that is part of the famous ‘Relais and Châteaux’ family today. The 59 rooms at Hostellerie La Butte aux Bois are divided over three buildings: ‘Le Mansoir’, which features 23 more traditional, but very charming rooms, ‘La Villa’, with 16 luxurious and contemporary rooms, and ‘Spa Retreat La Forêt’, which boasts 20 ultra-modern rooms, located near to the spa. The design of the rooms varies from classic and warm in Le Mansoir to sleek and minimalistic at the ‘Spa Retreat La Forêt’. All of the rooms are luxurious and well equipped with air-conditioning, Nespresso machines and flat-screen TV’s. Most of them offer beautiful views on the surrounding forests, parks and gardens. Indeed, nature is an important aspect of the La Butte aux Bois experience and a walk through the premises, with its beautiful gardens, ponds and artistic elements, is a great start for your stay. The Hoge Kempen National Park is accessible by foot and enhances the ‘lost in nature’ philosophy of La Butte aux Bois.

As in all Relais and Châteaux properties, gastronomes will not be disappointed. For regional specialties and comfort food, head for the quality Bistro ‘Le Bistro’. A luxurious breakfast buffet is also served here. For top gastronomy, La Source is the place to go. Executive Chef Ralf Berendsen and Restaurant Manager Kevin Vondenhoff offer guests a fine dining experience that may be considered as one of the best in Belgium. For more information about this great restaurant, please consult our separate review.

The new Spa Retreat La Forêt opened in May 2017 and is an important new asset of the property. The spa is accessible for both hotel guests and non-guests and adds a new dimension to wellness with 1,350 square metres of wellbeing pleasure. The design of the new building is unique and adds a beautiful contrast to the more traditional ‘Le Mansoir’. Entirely black and partially sunk into the surrounding area, with artistic elements like big, red flowers arising from the earth, the building is a masterpiece of architecture and design.

On the ground floor, Le Spa boasts an indoor pool, a relaxation area, a panoramic sauna, Turkish bath, infrared benches and an iced water area. In the outdoor area, you can discover a covered terrace, an outdoor Jacuzzi, and meditation, relaxation and yoga spaces. Different treatments are available in the Spa and you can also have a light lunch or some snacks before or after a treatment. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness area for sport lovers.

Unique in Belgium is the dermatology clinic, located on the first floor and managed by dermatologist Dr. Yolande Bullens-Goessens. Dr Bullens-Goessens is one of Belgium’s leading anti-ageing and skin improvement specialists and now guests can also consult the doctor during their stay at Hostellerie La Butte aux Bois.

Hostellerie La Butte aux Bois is a unique hospitality getaway located on a premium location in Belgium near the border of The Netherlands and Germany. Tranquillity and nature, gastronomy and luxury, wellbeing and health: this place ticks and combines many boxes.

Written by Sven & Frank