| 8 min read
Best hotels in Brussels
Although Brussels isn’t very large for a capital city, there are various 'communes' with each a different vibe. Each commune has its own people, specifics and hidden gems. If you’re planning a visit to Brussels, it’s wise to think about where you want to be based. Thanks to its relatively small size, you’ll be in the city center fairly quickly, no matter where you’re based. Nevertheless, your accommodation will definitely influence your experience, as it will be your home in Brussels and the area you’ll be seeing most often. Wondering where to stay? Below are a few hotel recommendations that we’ve checked out ourselves and would definitely vouch for!
Affordable luxury at Park Inn by Radisson
As a member of the Radisson Hotel family, Park Inn is a budget-friendly hotel while still offering a luxurious experience. The rooms are bright and spacious with super comfortable beds. If you’re lucky, you might receive one of the corners rooms at the back with an astounding view over the Palace of Justice and Porte de Hal.
The breakfast buffet is amazing, featuring a large selection of bread and viennoiseries, different kinds of ham and cheese, yogurt with fresh fruit, dried fruit, granola, seeds… It also includes a warm buffet with scrambled eggs, bacon and cooked vegetables. Special thought is given to people on a gluten-free diet and there even is an Asian corner featuring noodles. Apart from the standard offer of tea and coffee, the breakfast also stands out thanks to its large selection of fresh juices and smoothies. Park Inn by Radisson cares about ecology and waste reduction, which you can tell from the breakfast buffet: all the plastic is banned and replaced by reusable glass jars and bottles.
Located within the hotel, the RBG Bar & Grill is open for lunch and dinner. When we visited in the evening, we ordered a rump steak burger and a salmon burger, which came with a suggested (albeit overpriced) beer. As both the meat and the salmon were cooked to perfection, both of us really enjoyed our meal. On the dessert menu I had spotted ‘Chocolate Fondant’, which is one of my favorite treats, so I had to try it. And it didn’t disappoint.
All in all, this 3-star hotel is a great place to stay, conveniently situated in front of the Brussels South train station. It also features several meeting rooms and a gym with a view. And last but not least, the staff is super friendly!
Check availability at the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel
Modern comfort at B&B Hotel Gare du Midi
Equally situated in front of the Brussels South Station, the three-star B&B hotel is a slightly more economical alternative. The rooms are a bit smaller, but they’re modern, clean and comfortable. Every room features a huge black-and-white wall poster of a typical Brussels landmark like Botanique or the triumphal arch in Parc du Cinquantenaire. Looking out, you can see the trains heading in and out the Brussels South train station. Thanks to the double glazing, you won’t hear a thing though.
The breakfast buffet includes bread and viennoiseries, ham and cheese, different kinds of cornflakes, scrambled eggs and bacon, and fresh fruit.
Check availability at the B&B Hotel Gare du Midi
Large cartoon walls in the funky QBIC hotel
QBIC is a funky hotel in Ixelles, conveniently situated near Flagey with its abundance of cafés and restaurants. It features a restaurant, bar, garden, fitness room and even a small movie theater. The design of the hotel stands out thanks to its colorful walls, playful interior design elements like the swing by the entrance or the many monkey figurines subtly popping up all over the dining area. The big eye-catcher in the individual rooms is the large wall behind the bed depicting famous characters from the Belgian comic book scene.
The general hotel policy is very eco-friendly, so plastic packaging and other waste are avoided as much as possible. If you’re staying two days and you don’t need your room to be cleaned, you can put up a sign at your door and in exchange you’ll get a 5 EUR voucher to enjoy at the hotel bar.
Breakfast isn’t included in the price (14 EUR if you book in advance), but the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is quite impressive. It offers a good and varied choice of food and fresh juices. The waffle machine is also a nice touch.
A night in a Cocoon on Grand Place
Located on Grand Place in the heart of Brussels, one of the most unique hotels in Brussels is Cocoon, a pop-up hotel in the attic of a beautiful building from 1704. Why is it so unique? Apart from being able to overlook Grand Place from your room, you will also spend the night in a warm and cozy cocoon. Not only will you be able to make that perfect shot of the city hall by sunset AND by sunrise. You will even have Grand Place entirely to yourself once the curfew strikes. In the morning breakfast is discretely brought to your room and you'll get to try the amazing pastries from Eric Kayser. Since Cocoon is a pop-up hotel, make sure to book while you still can!
A backpackers’ haven at Camping Ciel Ouvert
If you’re feeling adventurous or if you're travelling on a budget, you might want know that it’s possible to go camping in Brussels. The campsite is only open during the Summer months, but if you happen to visit in July or August, it will definitely offer you a unique experience. Expect a relatively small grass field somewhat hidden behind a Jesuit church in Ixelles, but with all the essential facilities at your disposal: hot showers, a sink to do the dishes, garden furniture… One of its most striking features is the welcoming and laidback atmosphere.
Read more about Camping Ciel Ouvert
Comments
Do you have questions? Did you experience something similar? Did you notice a mistake? Please share!
