Brussels hotel recomendation

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  1. #1

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    Brussels hotel recomendation

    Any recommendation for mid price, Euro 150/200 a night, hotel in central Brussels?


  2. #2

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    We stayed in the Radisson Blu in the middle of town - not the EU one - in February, and it's a pretty nice hotel in an excellent location for the Grand Place, if that's the sort of area you want to be in. We had 3 rooms - family came out from the UK to meet us - and while we did have an issue with a smelly minibar, they did move us without too much fuss...

    I'm not sure what your definition of mid-price is, but picking a random weekend in October, they're showing around €240 for a regular room for 2 nights, and slightly under €300 for a 'business class' room.


  3. #3

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    U can check Zoover for ratings on most hotels. I find it helpful and it's reasonably easy to pick out the paid mods.
    If your with a big party, might be better to look into airbnb.

    Off topic: if u had plans to buy chocolates in Brussels, make sure it's an artisan place. Many shops are now owned by Chinese (I'm sorry to say) who would sell u factory made stuff for a high price.


  4. #4

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    Thanks for the advice. Looks like I am pretty out of touch with European prices.


  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hurtmesome:
    U can check Zoover for ratings on most hotels. I find it helpful and it's reasonably easy to pick out the paid mods.
    If your with a big party, might be better to look into airbnb.

    Off topic: if u had plans to buy chocolates in Brussels, make sure it's an artisan place. Many shops are now owned by Chinese (I'm sorry to say) who would sell u factory made stuff for a high price.
    When I was in Belgium ( Brussels, Ghent, Bruge ) last year, we visited the (Neuhaus) factory direct as most of them have tours with an attached warehouse shop. The great thing about this is you can taste every single chocolate they make before you purchase. In my opinion it was absolutely awesome lol We purchased around $1000hkd worth for gifts to bring home with us, but probably ended up eating about half that value just in samples while we were there.

    Personally I don't find Europe expensive to be honest, it's a LOT cheaper than Australia, and have never underestimated how much Euro's to take, usually with change by the end of the trip. I usually always underestimate how much money we need for Australia, usually spending 2 times as much as I had originally anticipated !!!!

    If you appreciate good quality food, really calm laid back people, and lots of shops that make EU produced products, I found the best toy shop that specialised in hand made childrens toys ie bespoke retro timber/tin/leather/rubber constructed peddle cars, wooden hand painted toys and puzzles etc ( I really appreciate stuff like this ) then you should really enjoy Belgium. I love going there, (visiting friends that live there) Belgian people are really laid back and among the most hospitable society of people I have experienced globally.

    Also a lot of chocolate shops have sprouted up in Bruge, replacing the lace shops that the region was famous for in the past, modern society has no interest in, so there is plenty of chocolate to choose from there these days. Love Bruge too, sigh, wish I was there right now !

    We stayed in a really nice B & B in Bruge, 200euro per night, we spent 2 nights there, was wonderful. ( If u want details I can dig out the name for you ). I don't mind paying if the quality and experience is worthy of the price, I never felt cheated, or pissed off about what I paid for in this part of the EU, I got excellent standards of quality/service ( which I am very receptive to ) for what I paid and was pleasantly satisfied.

    Also, shop and restaurant staff bent over backwards in regards to my children, nothing was too much trouble and I didnt have to even ask for high chairs, booster seats, or childrens food menus, they just automatically came. Big contrast compared to Hong Kong where I am usually disappointed by most things I pay for...noisy, generic ( cafeteriaish ) mediocrity .

    If you have time, Holland is close by, as is Dunkirk, a short drive from Brussels across the French border. Don't worry about the $$, enjoy your trip, detox from HK and get back in touch with your inner European, it will do you a shit load of good. We as a family were so relaxed after a month in France/Belgium.

    Another thing you could consider if you are trying to obtain accommodation at a more affordable rate, would be to consider Airbnb's website, you could rent a house in Brussels that could accommodate your whole family and divide the cost between yourselves. Should be a lot cheaper. A little more native than just being in a hotel too, as you would be staying in a typical 3 floor terrace house with balconeys.
    Last edited by Skyhook; 03-09-2014 at 10:34 AM.

  6. #6

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    Skyhook-many thanks for that post.

    We are taking the train to Brussels for 2 nights then on to Amsterdam for 3. Unfortunately that is all the time we can spare after a week in London.

    This place in Amsterdam comes recomended and is in our price bracket, E200 for the studio

    Tulip of Amsterdam B&B

    would appreciate the name of your place in Brussels.


  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cwbguy:
    Skyhook-many thanks for that post.

    We are taking the train to Brussels for 2 nights then on to Amsterdam for 3. Unfortunately that is all the time we can spare after a week in London.

    This place in Amsterdam comes recomended and is in our price bracket, E200 for the studio

    Tulip of Amsterdam B&B

    would appreciate the name of your place in Brussels.
    Thats my hometown!!!
    200 euro for the duration I might hope, if not it's a total rip off, I'm sorry to say. Then again, I don't know what lvl of luxury u r used to, but it's pretty expensive if u pay 200 a night.
    Need any info from Amsterdam?

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hurtmesome:
    Thats my hometown!!!
    200 euro for the duration I might hope, if not it's a total rip off, I'm sorry to say. Then again, I don't know what lvl of luxury u r used to, but it's pretty expensive if u pay 200 a night.
    Need any info from Amsterdam?
    I havn't been to Amsterdam for 15+ years,so I guess things will have changed a lot.

    Have good memories of superb Rijsttafel, lethal spirits, herring, great bars and jazz clubs/dives.

    Any recommendations gratefully received, plus suggestions on worthwhile day trips outside the city, but with museums, canal trips and generally wandering around time will be fairly tight.

  9. #9

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    Hmm, i like to hang around the '9 straatjes' (means nine little streets) and the Jordaan in general. Haarlemmerdijk and street are nice to stroll through.

    museum: try the hermitage and the new church on Dam squire. New church a bit small but often has nice exhibitions.

    Eating: if u like Turkish, try Orontes. Excellent mezze (sorta tapas) specially the babaganush (eggplant spread)
    Overall, try iens.nl. It's the Dutch openrice variant.