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The rich history of Martin’s Hotels

Discover the history and values behind each of our hotels in Belgium. A heritage and convictions that accompany us in all our new chapters.

Historic brick courtyard with period architecture and terracotta roof under clear sky

The history of Martin's Hotels is above all the reflection of the entrepreneurial spirit of two men: John J. Martin and John Charles Martin. A desire to dare to innovate and to think outside the box in order to share with all our guests the warmth of the family values that have punctuated the entire history of Martin's Hotels. A desire to constantly seek excellence, to go further and further. And to write more and more new pages in our history through our many hotels in Belgium.

Brick courtyard garden with seating area surrounded by historic European architecture buildings.

Martin's Hotels in figures

  • 12 hotels
  • 9 cities
  • 7 restaurants
  • 4 spas
  • 70 meeting rooms

1909 2019

Our story: a timeline of Martin's Hotels

Since the first house, the Martin family has built a Belgian hotel group one building at a time.

  1. Historic castle-like mineral water establishment exterior with manicured gardens in foreground.

    1909

    The beginning of the Martin’s Hotels story

    John V. B. Martin, a 23-year-old British master brewer, arrives in Antwerp. He imports a version of the famous Irish stout Guinness, created especially for Belgians, as well as Gordon Scotch…

  2. Waterfront property with manicured grounds, fountain, and riverside gardens overlooking lush landscape.

    1934

    Acquisition of the chateau

    John V.B. Martin obtains an exclusive license from Schweppes for the Benelux union and France. This will be the platform from which he launches the now-famous Indian Tonic, converting a…

  3. Victorian brick mansion with manicured gardens, flowering rhododendrons, and green lawns.

    1966

    The beginning of the Martin’s Hotels story

    In 1966, the year of their father’s death, Andrew and John James Martin took over at the helm and kept a steady course as they steered through waters increasingly conducive to business…

  4. Historic château exterior with tower, arched windows, entrance canopy, and manicured gardens.

    1982

    The birth of the Martin’s Hotels group

    The eldest son, John C. Martin, takes charge of the family business and proposes converting Chateau Schweppes – now Martin's Château du Lac – into a 5-star hotel with conference rooms. The…

    Martin's Château du Lac
  5. Illuminated castle-like property on waterfront with reflecting fountain at dusk.

    1985

    Inauguration of Château du Lac

    John C. Martin marks a new milestone in the history of Martin's Hotels with the inauguration of Château du Lac and its gourmet restaurant, Le Trèfle à 4. Between 1986 and 1998, 84 new rooms,…

    Martin's Château du Lac
  6. Modern white building facade with glass doors overlooking manicured lawn garden area.

    1988

    The Villa du Lac

    John C. Martin acquires the Villa du Lac and its magnificent park, both located on the shores of Lac de Genval.

  7. Historic brick building exterior with manicured hedges and tree-lined garden backdrop.

    1990

    Development of the Country House Hotel

    John C. Martin converts a majestic country house into a 12-room hotel. It is then completely renovated in 2006 before officially becoming the Martin’s Manoir in 2008.

    Martin's Manoir
  8. Historic brick courtyard with manicured hedges and topiary surrounded by architectural building.

    1992

    Opening of the Grand Hotel in Waterloo

    The Grand Hotel Waterloo, a 79-room 4-star hotel in a converted sugar store, opens its doors in Waterloo.

  9. Modern brick exterior with glass entrance, manicured garden, and stone terrace area.

    2003

    Refurbishment of the Martin’s Klooster 4-star boutique hotel

    John C. Martin continues his expansion with the creation of the Martin’s Klooster boutique hotel. It is an intimate property in the heart of Leuven that is extended in 2011 to offer 103…

    Martin's Klooster
  10. Illuminated brick facade of converted heritage building with modern glazed entrance extension at dusk.

    2005

    Acquisition of Martin’s Brugge

    The growth of Martin's hotels continues with the acquisition of this 150-room hotel that also has 8 meeting rooms for business guests. In July 2010, the footprint is extended into an…

    Martin's Brugge
  11. Historic European hotel building facade with international flags and chef mascot branding.

    2007

    Opening of Martin’s Brussels EU

    John C. Martin now offers hotels in all corners of Belgium with the opening of Martin’s Brussels EU in the heart of the European district. With 100 hotel rooms and 6 meeting rooms, this…

    Martin's Brussels EU
  12. Historic stone mansion with manicured gardens and courtyard approach pathway.

    2008

    Opening of Martin’s Waterloo

    The Martin's Hotels story adds a new chapter in Waterloo. This cosy establishment complements and extends the Martin's Grand Hotel, providing 27 additional rooms.

  13. Historic white-rendered row houses with green doors and manicured garden frontage.

    2009

    Breathing new life into old buildings

    Our group welcomes two new hotels in different regions of Belgium. In June, John C. Martin embarks on a unique project for the country: the opening of Martin's Patershof, a 4-star hotel…

    Martin's Relais
  14. Modern hotel building with yellow frame, red signage, and metal roof elements.

    2016

    Opening of Martin’s Red

    This unique offering is dedicated to the Belgian national football team and is located in Tubize at the Proximus Base Camp. Sports lovers are able to enjoy delicious food at the restaurant,…

    Martin's Red
  15. Historic brick manor illuminated at dusk with lavender field and modern addition.

    2018

    A year between modernity and tradition

    In May, Martin's Hotels takes over the management of a ground-breaking new project developed by Eckelmans Real Estate Group. Martin’s Agora is an exclusive urban complex located in…

    Martin's Rentmeesterij
  16. Brick building facade with large windows, entrance, and autumn garden surroundings.

    2019

    An evolution that makes you dream

    Martin’s Hotels continues to grow its diverse portfolio with the acquisition of Martin’s Dream, a property in the historic heart of Mons. Food lovers are in for a treat at the Bistro Martin…

Different hotels in Belgium, one common standard of quality

The kingfisher logo – a sign of unrivalled hospitality

It’s no coincidence that John Charles Martin chose the kingfisher as the emblem of his hotel group. Although a possible nod to his surname (kingfisher in French is martin-pêcheur), this beautiful bird also represents the family’s passion for fly-fishing. More importantly, the bird enjoys fishing in clear and unpolluted waters that reflect the group's pledge to operate as sustainably as possible. Darting flight and the ability to catch fish with precision are symbolic of the group’s focus on efficiency. Finally, the kingfisher has a striking natural elegance that can also be found in all Martin’s Hotels in Belgium.

Historic castle reflected in calm lake surrounded by lush green trees and vegetation.
Contemporary property blends modern architecture with historic brick buildings and manicured gardens.

A family vow of excellence

Our group has been able to safeguard its family values ​​even as the business expanded and times changed. Values ​​that we call upon daily to guarantee a superior experience include loyalty to our customers, attentiveness, warm and sincere contact, authenticity and the simple pleasure of sharing unique moments with our guests.

Historic chateau entrance with tower, ivy-covered stone facade and manicured gardens.
Modern wooden and concrete house exterior with manicured lawn and mature trees.

Values that run through the business

At Martin’s Hotels, family values and business performance align. This is a non-negotiable element that allows us to guarantee you authenticity and efficiency in every aspect of your stay at our hotels in Belgium. Every aspect of your stay demonstrates our commitment to quality and service, from the layout of your room to the preparation of your plate and the care and expertise at our spas.

Snow-covered brick manor exterior with manicured hedge entrance in winter landscape

The perfect blend of variety and consistency

Our group has grown steadily over the years under the leadership of John C. Martin. Today, the Martin's Hotels brand is proud to offer 12 hotels, 6 restaurants and 4 spas, including the exceptional Martin'Spa in Genval, one of the most beautiful treatment areas in Europe, and the Martin's City Spa in Louvain-la-Neuve. Each of our properties offers unique character, but with the same high quality you would expect from a family owned group built on elegance and precision. Just like the kingfisher.

Grand white clubhouse with manicured grounds and pond nestled among bare trees
Historic church courtyard with blooming magnolia trees and modern reception pavilion.
Tudor-style brick mansion exterior with snow-covered roof and manicured front garden in winter

Tomorrow Needs Today: the sustainable commitment of Martin's Hotels

The Tomorrow Needs Today program underpins our commitment to sustainable development. It means that we can grow while respecting the environment and the wellbeing of our guests and employees. The project also makes valuable contributions to humanitarian causes and the preservation of historical buildings.

Living the Green Dream

  • Green Key

    In 2021, Martin's Agora was awarded the Green Key label for its commitment to a responsible approach to environmental protection. The criteria of the label require respect for nature and people, in particular by controlling water and energy consumption, by environmental waste management, by leisure activities that do not harm nature and by promoting the actors and natural assets of the region.

    More about Green Key (opens in a new tab)