With the boozy antics of former England teams still fresh in the memory, it is reassuring to know Kevin Keegan's Euro 2000 base is a town famous for its mineral water.
Situated at the edge of the Ardennes, and just a few miles from the borders with Germany and Holland, Spa will provide the scenic backdrop for England's assault on Europe.
But for the duration of the team's stay, the view from the hotel will be obscured by giant bamboo fences and three-foot fir trees, which will be placed around the perimeter of the plush Balmoral Hotel to stop anyone prying on the stars.
Two years ago, for the World Cup, the England team stayed at a golf complex near La Baule in Western France and four years ago, for Euro 96, they were at the five-star Burnham Beeches Hotel in Buckinghamshire - where they have been based for the last week.
This time they are in a town surrounded by woods and renowned for its natural springs. A century ago royalty from all over Europe travelled to Spa to take a dip in the healing waters.
But from Thursday it will be home to the cream of English football. For at least 13 days, and hopefully much longer, depending on whether they reach the tournament's knockout phase, the entire 88-room hotel will be dedicated to their needs.
Comfortable rather than luxurious, each member of Keegan's final 22 will sleep in a £124 junior suite with double bed, separate lounge and television room and en-suite bathroom.
The rooms are brightly coloured and, without the bamboo fences, would have views of the woods which surround the hotel. During the tournament the Bavarian style lodge and the area around it will be subject to tight security.
Football Association and UEFA security guards will team up with English and Belgian police to patrol the area and two private roads which run either side of the Balmoral will be shut during the team's 20-day stay.
Even though the arrival of Keegan's men has got the quiet town talking, only specially authorised hotel staff and members of the England party will be able to gain access.
But while the hotel will be set up like a fortress, staff have promised to give the play-ers a warm welcome once inside.
Two England pennants are already on dis-play at the reception area and a few of the staff wear a lapel badge carrying the famous three lions logo.
Although built in 1905, the Balmoral has recently been refurbished with a gym and fit-ness suite, Jacuzzi, sauna, swimming pool, a top-class restaurant and three large conference rooms, two of which will be turned into a cinema. There is a tennis court and, 800 yards up the road, a private golf club.
One room will be filled with high-tech video games turning it into a mini arcade. Elsewhere, a special lobby area has been set aside for a full-size Formula One simulation game - appropriate as Spa is the home of the Belgian Grand Prix.
The most expensive suites, costing around £160 a night, will be used as massage and physiotherapy rooms and a makeshift laundry. The rest will be for the 22 players and 13 coaching staff and FA officials.
And although each room has a mini bar it will be stocked with nothing stronger than soft drinks. Belgium might be famous for its beer but even the hotel bar will be dry during England's stay.
The kitchens will be handed over to the team's chef to ensure each player's specific diet is catered for. Seventeen rooms in the new wing of the Bal-moral have been put on standby for the players' wives and girlfriends.
But Posh Spice and co shouldn't head to Spa expecting a big night out. Apart from a casino, one of the oldest in Europe, and a few bars, the area attracts tourists looking for a bit of peace and quiet.
There is just one nightclub - the Lemon Club - which is open only on Friday and Saturday nights.
According to hotel sales manager Emmanuelle Rosias, that is just what Keegan was looking for.
'Mr Keegan has been here three times now and I think he was very pleased with it because it's very quiet here in Spa,' she said.
'He is a real gentleman and we have done everything we can to meet his requests. He has asked us not to have any alcohol in the hotel, but who knows, if they win we might be able to find a glass of English cider.
'The whole hotel will be exclusively available to them during Euro 2000.
'No one will be able to get in unless they have the right pass and all the staff who will be working here have had to sign a confidentiality agreement to make sure nothing leaks out about their stay.
'I can't even get my son in and he is a massive fan of the Spice Girls.
'When he heard David Beckham and Posh Spice might be coming to stay here he got very excited. But security is so tight we can't do it. If we did it for one we would have to do it for everyone.
'They are here for privacy and to concentrate on what they are doing. We have to respect that and we will do all we can to pamper them - although they are just like children. It is a great honour for us and we want to make them feel at home although they have made some interesting requests.
'Apart from the racing arcade game we have ordered new furniture and stripped the gym bare so they can put their own equipment in there.
'Mr Keegan has also asked us to put posters up around the hotel carrying motivational messages. I hope they are meant for the players and not us.'
A short drive away is the team's training base at the Centre Sportif de La Fraineuse. Two new pitches have been laid at the huge complex and Wembley groundsman Rob McCullagh has been advising staff at the centre on preparing the perfect playing surface.
Set among lakes and dense woods, the facility, which stretches across 6,000 square metres of land, boasts indoor and outdoor facilities as well as accommodation.
It is used by Belgium's Olympic athletes and towards the end of last month was also hired by the Belgian national side as they finalised their preparations for Euro 2000.
Pierre Yans, the centre's manager, said: 'Kevin Keegan was here recently and although it wasn't finished when he came to have a look, the Belgian team were training here last month. We hope everything will be fine for England as well.'
