This Anglo-Norman half-timbered manor unfolds across extensive parkland just outside Spa, its 28 rooms retaining the period character of a country estate. A seasonal outdoor pool anchors the grounds, while the on-site restaurant serves guests who prefer not to venture beyond the garden gates. Dog owners will find a willing host; golfers, nearby courses to explore between dips in the water.
Explore Spa
Restaurants (2)
Where to Stay
Twelve rooms overlook Robertville Lake from this adults-only retreat, where water defines every detail. A new spa and wellness center channels the lakeside setting through its indoor pool, hammam, jacuzzi, and sauna. Direct park access leads to the shoreline, while a library offers quieter hours. The on-site restaurant completes an intimate escape designed for couples seeking seclusion.
Where to Eat
★ Michelin
Beneath the timber rafters of a converted historic barn, chef Matthieu Vande Velde earns his Michelin star through exacting technique and subtle Asian inflections. His signature duck, grilled whole over open flame and paired with curry-laced carrot cream, exemplifies the precision-driven creativity shaped by mentor David Martin. The proximity to Spa-Francorchamps—heliport included—draws motorsport enthusiasts seeking refined post-race dining.
Michelin Selected
A converted family home in Eupen provides the intimate setting for Chef Mirko's fusion cooking, where modern techniques amplify bold, distinctive flavours. Seasonal menus yield surprises like strawberry carpaccio with bergamot granita and yoghurt ice cream—a study in subtle sweetness. Lisa's predominantly German wine list complements the kitchen's inventive approach, making this an excellent detour for gastronomes exploring the Belgian Ardennes.
Michelin Selected
On a quiet stretch of Avenue Reine Astrid, this Michelin Plate restaurant delivers modern French cooking with inventive touches. The kitchen builds set menus around seasonal ingredients, each course described tableside with care. Desserts and cakes arrive house-made, a signature strength. The dining room maintains a warm, unhurried atmosphere suited to leisurely meals after a day exploring the thermal town.
Michelin Selected
A striking metal sculpture anchors the dining room at La Cour de la Reine, where a veteran chef applies classical technique to inventive bistronomic cooking. His reinterpretation of Belgian shrimp fritters demonstrates both regional respect and personal flair, while a venison cutlet arrives with an intensely flavored pepper sauce that has become a house signature. Elegant guestrooms extend the stay beyond dinner.
Michelin Selected
A heritage country mansion amid the rolling Belgian countryside, Lafarques pairs elegant surroundings with refined gastronomy. The kitchen champions local produce, treating traditional flavours with both generosity and delicacy—a balance that rewards attentive diners. Stylish guestrooms extend the occasion beyond a single meal. When autumn arrives, game preparations become the compelling reason to book a table.
Michelin Selected
Chef Frederic Scavone, who built his reputation at Le Pontecino in Liège, commands an impressive historic building enhanced by a contemporary wing. His kitchen channels Mediterranean exuberance through Italian classics—rigatoni alla norma, handmade ravioli stuffed with fresh sausage—while allowing French inflections to surface. A playful tiramisu reinterpretation closes meals with flair. Guest rooms upstairs extend dinner into a full weekend retreat.
Michelin Selected
Within a stately manor house overlooking the Belgian Ardennes, the kitchen delivers Italian contemporary cuisine shaped by the chef's distinctive personal approach. Premium ingredients anchor each plate, while the panoramic terrace offers sweeping views that complement the chic, modern dining room. A Michelin Plate holder, this address rewards travelers seeking refined cooking in an elegant countryside setting.
Michelin Selected
Chef Ludovic's cooking philosophy at Table Rase strips away pretense to let ingredients speak with clarity and force. His seasonal set menus draw on Belgian regional produce—langoustine tartare brightened with kombu sabayon, ribeye enriched by morels and deeply flavored jus. The colorful dining room keeps things convivial rather than ceremonial. Before leaving, the tiramichoux—house-made tiramisu cream puffs—deserve attention.
Bib Gourmand
Behind the cosy façade of a traditional German stube, chef Daniel builds his Bib Gourmand repertoire around impeccable produce—Zeeland mussels cloaked in creamy curry, local Ondenval trout prepared meunière with almonds and crisp apple. The artisanal spirit extends to shelves lined with homemade jams and limoncello crafted from Menton lemons, while warm service from Katja completes the convivial atmosphere.
Bib Gourmand
A Bib Gourmand address where family heritage shapes every plate, La Chapellerie occupies a handsome brick townhouse once home to hatmakers. Mother-son team Sophie and Thomas champion local produce through gutsy, sauce-driven cooking—rabbit arrives stewed, rolled with prunes, or transformed into silky mash crowned with mustard-spiked gravy. The atmosphere remains refreshingly unfussy, matching the honest, flavour-forward cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Spa called the original wellness town?
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The English word 'spa' derives directly from this Belgian town, which has hosted visitors seeking its mineral waters since at least 1326. By the eighteenth century, Spa had become known as the 'Café of Europe,' attracting monarchs, composers, and aristocrats who came to drink and bathe in its therapeutic springs.
What is the best season to visit Spa?
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Autumn brings dramatic color to the surrounding Ardennes forests and coincides with game season in local restaurants. Summer offers pleasant hiking weather and access to the thermal baths, while winter transforms the Fagnes plateau into cross-country skiing terrain. Spring sees the rhododendrons bloom across the hillsides.
How does Spa connect to the nearby Formula 1 circuit?
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The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps lies roughly ten kilometers from town and hosts the Belgian Grand Prix. Race weekends transform the area, with the town's establishments filling with motorsport enthusiasts. The circuit's history dates to 1921, making it one of the oldest racing venues still in active use.
Nearby Destinations
Explore Belgium
Spa
This small Walloon town gave its name to the entire concept of wellness retreats — a linguistic legacy that speaks to its centuries-old reputation for therapeutic waters. The thermal springs here have drawn visitors since the sixteenth century, when European aristocracy began arriving to take the cure. Today, the town center retains its belle époque character: wrought-iron balconies, colonnaded galleries, and the grand Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand pavilion where visitors still sample the iron-rich mineral water.
The dining scene reflects Spa's position as a weekend escape for Belgians and nearby Germans. Local establishments tend toward hearty Ardennes cooking — game in autumn, trout from nearby streams, and the region's excellent charcuterie. The compact town center clusters around Rue Royale and Place Pierre-le-Grand, where café terraces fill on market days. Beyond the center, the forested hills of the Fagnes plateau provide the backdrop, with hiking trails leading to natural springs still used by locals filling bottles for home.