Luxury Weekend Getaways from Belgium: 15 Destinations Within 3 Hours
It was a Thursday evening, half past seven, and I was scrolling through my phone while the rain tapped against the window of my apartment in Antwerp. Feeling like spending the weekend somewhere else. Not in two months, not after endless planning. Just: sitting somewhere tomorrow evening with a glass of wine and a view of something other than the Scheldt.
You probably know that feeling. And the beautiful thing is: if you live in Belgium, there are surprisingly many luxury weekend destinations within reach. Three hours. That's the magic threshold. By train, by car, by plane from Brussels Airport. Within that time span, as a Belgian traveller, you can be in Paris, Milan, Barcelona or the Côte d'Azur.
Over the past two years, I've taken about fifteen of these short luxury trips. Some were brilliant, others were disappointing. Here I share what really works, which hotels are worth it, and how I approach it smartly so that a luxury weekend getaway from Belgium doesn't immediately eat up my budget for the rest of the quarter.
Why a luxury weekend getaway from Belgium works so well
Belgium has an incredibly favourable location for short trips. Brussels Airport has direct flights to more than 200 destinations, and high-speed trains get you to Paris in an hour and a half or to London in two hours. That's faster than some Flemish people drive to the coast on a summer day.
What I've learned myself: the key to a successful luxury weekend isn't necessarily spending a lot of money. It's about choosing wisely. The right hotel in the right location, booked at the right time, and taking advantage of the benefits you already have. I use my Amex Platinum card for that, not because it's a magic solution, but because the Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits really make the difference on short trips. Free breakfast for two, a room upgrade, late checkout until 4pm: on a two-night weekend that's about €300 in added value. That compensates for a significant portion of that €780 annual fee.
But let me get specific. Here are the fifteen destinations I recommend, divided into categories so you can quickly find what suits you.
By train: luxury without the stress of flying
1. Paris
The Thalys (now Eurostar) takes you in an hour and a half from Brussels-South to Paris Gare du Nord. Last year I spent two nights at the Hôtel Lutetia in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, booked through Fine Hotels + Resorts. Room upgrade to a junior suite, daily breakfast in the brasserie (which normally costs €48 per person), and a spa credit of €100. Honestly, for that price I would normally have booked a standard room in an average four-star hotel.
Tip: book your Thalys tickets at least three weeks in advance. The difference between €29 and €120 for the same journey is absurd.
2. London
The Eurostar to St Pancras. Two hours, and you're in a completely different world. Last autumn I booked The Savoy, also through FHR. The welcome gift was a bottle of champagne in the room. Breakfast in the Thames Foyer, with a view of that art deco hall, was one of the most beautiful mornings I can remember. London is expensive, everyone knows that. But if you use the hotel benefits wisely, it suddenly becomes more achievable.
3. Amsterdam
The Thalys to Amsterdam Centraal takes just under two hours. The Waldorf Astoria in the canal ring is stunningly beautiful, but honestly: I secretly found the Pulitzer more charming. That feeling of those two merged canal houses, the inner gardens, the bar overlooking the Prinsengracht. Book on a Thursday or Sunday evening for the best rates.
4. Luxembourg City
Don't underestimate Luxembourg. The train from Brussels takes just under three hours, and the city is more compact and intimate than you'd expect. The Sofitel Le Grand Ducal has rooms with views over the Vallée de la Pétrusse that take your breath away. And the food in Luxembourg is surprisingly good, with two Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance of the centre.
5. Bruges
Yes, I know. Bruges. But have you ever slept at Hotel De Orangerie? Or at The Pand Hotel, hidden behind an unassuming facade on a quiet canal? Bruges as a day tourist is crowded and touristy. Bruges on a Friday evening in November, when the groups are gone and you have the city almost to yourself, is pure magic. Order the waterzooi at Den Gouden Harynck and thank me later.
By plane: short flights, big experiences
From Brussels Airport there are dozens of destinations within two to three hours of flight time. What I appreciate: with the Fast Lane from the Amex Platinum card (worth €169 per year) I'm through security in ten minutes. And the Priority Pass lounge, with access to more than 1,550 lounges worldwide, makes the waiting much more pleasant. Free for the cardholder plus one guest, unlimited.
6. Barcelona
Brussels Airlines flies daily to El Prat. In Barcelona I discovered the Cotton House Hotel, a former textile factory office in the Eixample district that has been converted into a five-star hotel. The rooftop pool, with views over the city, is exactly what you need after a morning walking through the Gothic Quarter. Price for two nights in the low season: around €380 if you book smartly.
7. Milan
Milan is often seen as a transit city to the Italian lakes, but the city itself deserves at least two nights. The Bulgari Hotel, tucked away in a botanical garden near Via Montenapoleone, is one of the most beautiful city hotels I've ever visited. The aperitivo culture in the Navigli district is the kind of experience you won't find anywhere else. And yes, the food. Always the food.
8. Nice and the Côte d'Azur
The Côte d'Azur in spring or early autumn is my personal favourite. Not in July or August, when everything is overcrowded and overpriced. Fly to Nice, rent a car, and drive to Èze or Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The Château de la Chèvre d'Or in Èze has a terrace restaurant where you look out over the Mediterranean Sea from 429 metres high. You won't forget that.
9. Vienna
Vienna is a city that leaves you in peace. No hustle, no rush. The Hotel Sacher, right opposite the Staatsoper, is cliché but irresistible. The Sachertorte at breakfast feels decadent. And an evening at the Wiener Staatsoper, with tickets from €15 for standing places, is cultural enjoyment at its most Viennese.
10. Lisbon
Just within that three-hour threshold, and worth it. Lisbon has something rawer and more authentic than most Western European capitals. The Bairro Alto Hotel, renovated in 2023, looks out over the Tagus and is one of the better boutique options in the city. The pastéis de nata at Manteigaria are better than those at Pastéis de Belém, and I'm ready to defend that opinion.
11. Prague
Prague is still cheaper than Paris or London, but the quality of the luxury hotels has increased enormously. The Augustine, a Luxury Collection hotel in a former monastery, is breathtakingly beautiful. And the food in the city is much better than the tourist-trap restaurants on the Old Town Square. Walk five minutes outside the centre and you'll find restaurants with Czech wine you've never tasted before.
12. Copenhagen
Scandinavian design, Noma-level food culture, and a compact city you can explore in a weekend. The Sanders Hotel in the centre is intimate and stylish without being over the top. Copenhagen isn't cheap, but the quality of everything, from the coffee to the architecture, is consistently high. Take the water taxi to Reffen street food market for something more casual.
13. Zurich
Zurich is underrated as a weekend destination. Yes, it's expensive. But the combination of lake, mountains and city is unique in Europe. The Baur au Lac, situated on Lake Zurich with the Alps in the background, is the kind of hotel where after two nights you don't want to leave. In winter, you can be on the slopes at Flumserberg within forty minutes from the city.
14. Edinburgh
Scotland has something that's hard to put into words. Edinburgh is dramatic, with that castle on the rock and the mist that drifts through the Old Town in the morning. The Balmoral, at the end of Princes Street, is grand in a way that isn't built anymore. Order a whisky flight at the bar and look out over the city. My favourite month: September, when the Edinburgh Festival has just ended and the city has room to breathe again.
15. Düsseldorf and the Rhineland
Perhaps the most surprising on this list. Düsseldorf has a culinary scene that is gradually attracting European attention, and the Altstadt along the Rhine is beautifully illuminated in the evening. The Breidenbacher Hof is one of the best hotels in the western Rhineland. And if you have a day to spare: drive on to the Ahr Valley for wine villages that look as if they come from a fairy tale.
Smart booking: how to get more luxury for less money
After fifteen of these trips, I've learned a few things I wish I'd known sooner.
Book on Tuesday or Wednesday. Hotels in cities like Paris and Barcelona have midweek rates that are 30 to 40 percent lower than on Friday and Saturday. A luxury weekend getaway doesn't necessarily have to fall on the weekend: a Thursday-to-Saturday combination is often the sweet spot.
Use Fine Hotels + Resorts for short stays. The benefits (free breakfast, room upgrade, late checkout, welcome gift of approximately €100) have a total added value for a two-night stay that can amount to €650. For a longer one-week holiday, those fixed benefits become proportionally less valuable. But for a weekend: it adds up enormously.
Combine benefits. At Brussels Airport I use the Fast Lane to get through security quickly, walk into the lounge for breakfast or lunch (easily saves €20 to €30 per person), and pay for the flight with the Amex to automatically activate the travel insurance. Trip cancellation, luggage loss, medical expenses abroad: it's all included. That saves a separate travel insurance of €40 to €80 per trip.
TravelLux tip: Via the TravelLux.be referral link you receive the maximum welcome bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards points when applying for the Amex Platinum card. That's more than with a direct application on the Amex website. You can redeem those points with Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways and more than 15 other airlines.
My personal top 3 for a first luxury weekend getaway
If you've never done something like this and don't know where to start, these are my three recommendations:
For the classic choice: Paris by Thalys. Low threshold, no flight stress, and the hotel selection is enormous. Book via FHR for the benefits.
For the adventurer: Nice and the Côte d'Azur in May or September. The combination of sea, mountains, villages and culinary delights is hard to beat.
For the surprise seeker: Prague. Cheaper than you think, more beautiful than you'd expect, and the hotel quality has improved spectacularly in recent years.
Honestly, two years ago I wouldn't have thought I'd be taking short luxury trips this often. It started with one weekend in Paris, almost on impulse. But once you discover how accessible and affordable it can be, if you approach it smartly, you don't want to go back to those boring Saturdays at home.
And that Thursday evening in Antwerp, with the rain against the window? I booked a Thalys for the next morning, two nights at the Lutetia, and was having lunch at Le Bon Marché by noon. That's the magic of living in Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
Which luxury weekend destinations are reachable within 3 hours from Belgium?
From Belgium you can reach destinations within 3 hours such as Paris (1h22 by train), London (2h by Eurostar), Amsterdam (1h50 by Thalys), Barcelona (1h45 by plane), Milan (1h35 by plane), Nice/Côte d'Azur (2h10 by plane), Vienna, Lisbon, Prague, Copenhagen, Luxembourg City, Bruges, Zurich, Edinburgh and Düsseldorf.
How much does the American Express Platinum card cost in Belgium?
The Amex Platinum card costs €65 per month, which amounts to €780 per year. An additional Platinum card for your partner costs €10 per month. You can also request up to 4 free Green cards for family members.
What are the Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits of Amex Platinum?
Fine Hotels + Resorts offers access to more than 14,000 luxury hotels worldwide. Per stay you receive a free room upgrade, early check-in, late checkout, daily breakfast for 2 persons and a welcome gift worth approximately €100. The total added value can amount to €650 per stay.
How many Membership Rewards points do you get as a welcome bonus?
Via a referral link you receive the maximum welcome bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards points. With a direct application you receive less. You can redeem those points with airlines such as Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways and more than 15 other partners. Points never expire as long as the card is active.
Is the Amex Platinum card worth it for Belgian travellers?
For Belgian travellers who fly 3 to 4 times per year from Brussels Airport, the card offers significant value: access to 1,550+ lounges (free for cardholder + 1 guest), Fast Lane security at Brussels Airport (worth €169/year), FHR benefits up to €650 per hotel stay, 3x per year Dining for 2 at top restaurants (worth €300/year), comprehensive travel insurance and no foreign exchange fees. The annual fee is €780.
Maximum welcome bonus · €65/month · Via TravelLux.be