THE STORY: Fifteen years after purchasing her townhouse a stone’s throw from Forest Park, Belgian designer Marina Bautier is taking things to the next level, scaling up her café-showroom with two, beautifully positioned apartments upstairs. Climb the concrete, dovecote-like staircase and you arrive in a spacious entry hall overlooking a small rooftop garden, which doubles as the gateway to these two lofty retreats. Both the studio and the larger apartment come fully equipped with a kitchen, separate toilet and a snazzy tiled bathroom, all flooded with natural light – an absolute non-negotiable for the owner. Marina has furnished the spaces with meticulous care, mixing her own German-made creations (oak coffee and round tables, a sumptuous sofa, a sleek bed frame) with design classics and high-end details: Mogensen J39 chairs, a Nanimarquina rug, Libeco linen curtains, bespoke Belgian bedding and an Edifier sound system to fill the blissful silence. The finishing touches seal the deal – and many are available to purchase downstairs in the boutique: a Pierre Culot carafe, Asano Shoten Japanese lanterns and a deliciously curated selection of cookbooks and architecture books lining the shelves. A setting so perfect, you might start plotting a permanent move! Studio €180 and apartment €250 per night, for a minimum two-night stay. Longer stays possible (up to three months). · Laszlo Dela

TOILETRIES: Habeebee shampoo, conditioner, soap and body lotion.

BREAKFAST: 15 €, prepared by the coffee shop downstairs, including tea, OR coffee, apple juice, excellent homemade scones and granola, artisanal jams, yogurt and fresh eggs cooked to order.

LITTLE LUXURY: Go gallery-hopping in the neighborhood, the sometimes hidden yet inspiring options include the Wiels Contemporary Art Centre, Espace Constantin Chariot, Galila’s P.O.C. and the Melissa Ansel and Lee-Bauwels galleries.