The Gresham Belson is reborn as The Belson Brussels
After a complete renovation, the former Gresham Belson Hotel in Evere has reopened as The Belson Brussels, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. The independent hotel, which opened in 1982, thereby joins the Marriott International family. Its official opening was celebrated on 1 October 2026.
A family hotel moves up a level
Located on Avenue des Anciens Combattants in Evere, a few minutes from Brussels Airport and NATO, the hotel has around 140 rooms and three meeting rooms. It caters primarily to business, MICE and air-travel guests.
The new name was not chosen at random. “BEL” pays tribute to Belgium and to the Vanbelle family, who founded the hotel. “SON” evokes legacy and continuity: the hotel was created by a Brussels businessman for his son.
A fast-growing investor
The transformation was made possible by the hotel’s acquisition in November 2024 by Alchemy Step Hotel Group (ASHG). This joint venture brings together the UK fund Alchemy Special Opportunities and the Frankfurt-based German operator Step Partners.
The group is expanding rapidly in Belgium. A few weeks before this acquisition, it had already taken over eight hotels in several cities across the country. The Belson is the second hotel in its portfolio to join the Tribute Portfolio brand.
A top-to-bottom renovation
The work covered the entire hotel. The public areas were completely redesigned and the guest rooms modernised. Two large ground-floor studios were also converted into four separate units.
The design is contemporary and inspired by the character of Brussels, in the spirit of Tribute Portfolio, Marriott’s collection of independent hotels “with character”. Guests now benefit from the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme.
Continuity at the head of the team
The rebrand comes with strong management stability. Raf Willems, the hotel’s General Manager for many years, remains at the helm. He sees joining Tribute Portfolio as a logical step: keeping the hotel’s identity while benefiting from Marriott’s global distribution.
The sales team was strengthened ahead of the reopening. Emilie Gerits-Brohet joined the hotel in December 2025 as Sales Manager.
What this means for hospitality professionals
A Marriott affiliation brings new service standards, tools and training, as well as career prospects within an international network. Combined with ASHG’s expansion in Belgium, this reopening confirms the dynamism of the Brussels hotel market, particularly in the corridor between the airport and the city centre.
Looking to grow your career in a hotel like this? Find all hospitality and catering jobs in Belgium on Hospitality Jobs.
