Hotel Amigo in Brussels continues Tintin revival with specially themed rooms

Brussels, December 2011 - Following the successful release of Stephen Spielberg’s ‘The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn’, Rocco Forte’s Hotel Amigo in Brussels is continuing its Tintin revival with four highly original themed rooms.

The heroic Belgian investigative reporter, his loyal fox terrier Snowy and a cast of supporting characters, created by the artist Hergé, dominated comic-book culture during the middle part of the 20th century, and have proved enduring and inspirational icons, and quirky emblems for Belgium.

Within Hotel Amigo, one luxurious suite and three deluxe rooms have been cleverly redesigned to incorporate memorabilia relating to the boy reporter’s adventures. This includes artwork donated by Moulinsart (the Hergé Foundation), original lithographs, figurines of Tintin and his friends, the famous canes and black bowler hats worn by the bumbling comic detectives Thomson & Thompson and statues of the mythical creatures that featured in the film.

The Hergé Suite tells the story of Tintin and Brussels, with images depicting his adventures in local locations such as the flea market at the Place du Jeu de Balle, La Monnaie Theatre and the Royal Palace. The living room has a Tintin bust and the Fetiche Arumbaya figurine from ‘The Broken Ear’ comic book. Snowy can be found snoozing on the armchair and there is also a replica of the famous rocket from ‘Destination Moon’. An image of Nestor, the long-suffering butler at Captain Haddock’s Marlinspike home, sees him answering the room’s phone. The suite has a chest filled with Tintin comic books, and a big tome on the hero’s history.

Interconnecting with this suite is a room decorated with images of the six key characters: Tintin, Snowy, Captain Haddock, Thomson & Thompson, Bianca Castafiore and Professor Calculus. A statue of Thomson & Thompson displays them in their swimming costumes. The bathroom features a figurine of the shark-like submarine from ‘Red Rackham’s Treasures’.

A further two interconnecting rooms are dedicated to Spielberg’s movie, ‘The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn’. The film combines the stories of ‘The Crab with the Golden Claws’, ‘The Secret of the Unicorn’ and ‘Red Rackham’s Treasure’. Anyone who loved the film will be thrilled by these rooms, which are filled with reproductions from the three adventures, including a model of the Unicorn ship, a big wooden statue of the Arumbaya figure and black-and-white images of Tintin and Captain Haddock. A picture of Snowy answering the phone is complemented by a replica of the phone itself, and there is another chest full of Tintin comic books.

Hotel Amigo is located in the heart of Brussels, just around the corner from the giant Tintin mural in the rue de l’Etuve and the Tintin Boutique near the Grand Place. For old and new fans alike, the hotel has created a detailed map which follows the footsteps of Tintin around the capital; enthusiasts will also not want to miss the stunning Herge Museum in Louvain-La-Neuve, 30 minutes by car or train from the centre, which contains over 80 original print plates and photographs documenting the life and work of the creative genius behind the cartoons.

Hotel Amigo also offers families the use of PSP and Wii interactive Tintin games in the rooms and a DVD player with a selection of Tintin movies. Older Tintin fans will enjoy relaxing in the bar with best friend Captain Haddock’s favourite tipple: a glass of Loch Lomond whisky.

The Tintin decorated rooms start at €319and the Hergé Suite at €1,150including breakfast, VAT and service.

To book or for more information, please visit www.roccofortehotels.com or call 00800 7666 6667.

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Notes to Editors

Rocco Forte Hotels

Rocco Forte Hotels is a family of 13 individual hotels and resorts. Each property has a unique style, reflecting its nationality and location, but all share Rocco Forte Hotels’ trademark attention to detail, high quality and immaculate service.

Established by Sir Rocco Forte in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown’s Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Augustine Hotel, Prague; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily; Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi. Future openings: Jeddah 2013; Marrakech 2014; Cairo 2014; Luxor 2014.

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