CURRENT POPULATION: 76,000
% POP GROWTH: 0.01 %
CITY AREA: 51.46 KM2

CITY DENSITY: 1,485 INH/KM2
GDP PER CAPITA: €48,500
DIALLING CODE: +352

WITH FRIENDS
RESTAURANT BRAUSTÜBL
273 RUE DE NEUDORF
TEL. 26 43 22 96
Just past the ghetto of British pubs at the bottom of the Bock promontory, the Braustübl is a lovely restaurant that serves real Luxembourg food. With a friendly atmosphere and efficient service, it’s a great place to enjoy a hearty meal with friends.

ENTERTAINING A CLIENT
RESTAURANT JORDAO
20 RUE DU CURÉ
TEL. 26 20 31 74
This little place punches way above its weight in terms of size, quality and cost. But get there before its reputation forces early reservations and an increased budget. The French-fusion menu is a delight in the evening or at lunchtime.

CLOSING THE DEAL
LE FIN GOURMAND
2 ROUTE D’ESCH
TEL. 44 23 92
Don’t be deceived by appearances. This little brasserie will top your expectations – it has developed an excellent reputation in the past couple of years. It’s family-run with a warm and personal atmosphere, and the food served is of the highest quality.

STYLE
BOOS K’FÉ
31 RUE BIERGERKRAEIZ, BRIDEL
TEL. 33 82 43-1
Follow the young professional crowd out to Bridel, which is only a short taxi ride away from Luxembourg city, and discover the indoor-outdoor charm of Boos. Smart and sophisticated, it’s well worth the journey to search for something a little more exclusive and off the beaten track. It’s perfect if you’re travelling with a few friends or colleagues.

RELAX
SECRET GARDEN CLUB
7 COTE D’EICH
TEL. 22 17 38
Recently renewed, and tucked away behind the Côte d’Eich, the Secret Garden is the place to go straight from work. Cool, quiet and sleek, it transforms later into a young, fashionable and sometimes loud cocktail party venue.

BESPOKE
HOTEL PARC PLAZA
5 AVENUE MARIE-THÉRÈSE
TEL. 45 61 41 1
Within five minutes’ walk of the city centre, this hotel can fool you into thinking you’re in the quiet of the countryside. The service and facilities are excellent but it’s the atmosphere that really makes the Parc Plaza so desirable. The attractive gardens and the proximity of the Parc Belair lend the hotel an air of peaceful gentility and the attentive service will ensure that you’ll relax during your stay. It has 89 spacious, light-filled and stylish rooms. And there are four meeting rooms with modern facilities.

VALUE
BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL LUXEMBOURG CITY
20-22 PLACE DE LA GARE
TEL. 48 59 11
Well situated for the city centre, this place is comfortable, reliable and central – what more could you ask from a value hotel? The restaurant is Gault-Millau recommended.

BUSINESS
HOTEL MELIÁ LUXEMBOURG
1 PARK DRÄI EECHELEN (10 RUE FORT THÜNGEN)
TEL. 27 33 31
Just opened this spring, the four-star Meliá is an oasis of design in the heart of the European Quarter, spitting distance from the European institutions. Its 161 rooms are fitted out to top specification, including broadband internet, and are designed in cutting edge contemporary fashion by Jim Clemens. The meeting room can hold 150 guests.

Watch out for the Live at Vauban music festival, which hosts indoor and outdoor concerts in the city in October (www.liveatvauban.lu). Some are free, too. The festival will showcase a variety of musicians, from school children to venerable old-timers.

On the initiative of the Philharmonie Concert Hall and National Theatre (the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg,) the Luxembourg Festival (www.luxembourgfestival.lu) runs throughout October. There’s a programme of outstanding productions and concerts in the two venues, separated by the ‘Red Bridge’ to Kircheberg.

In October, the Grand Duchy hosts the DirActors International Film Festival (www.diractors.lu) for actor/directors and their films. A number of venues will be hosting events and parties, promising an innovative cinematic treat for all movie fans.

Luxembourg changes fast – very fast. Ten years ago, 80% of the Kirchberg plateau was empty, and maps printed last year are already out of date. The latest street maps are available from the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (www.lcto.lu), so there’s no excuse for getting lost or struggling to find your destination. You’ll probably need another map later in the year as the city will have changed yet again.

WORDS BY DAVID JAMES