In Brussels, we wanted a centrally located hotel to make the most of our stay. The Grand Place and its surrounding area, home to the city’s main attractions, were ideal for sightseeing. Additionally, Brussels Central Station, located nearby, is well-connected to all forms of public transportation, making it a convenient base for our four-night stay. After evaluating several hotels and reviewing feedback on TripAdvisor and Google, we chose the Ibis Brussels Off Grand Place, which offered a family room at an affordable rate. Here are the other hotels we considered:
- Novotel Brussels City Centre
- Novotel Brussels Off Grand Place
- NH Brussels Carrefour De L’Europe
- Ibis Brussels Off Grand Place
Reaching There
We traveled from Paris on the Eurostar, departing from Gare du Nord and arriving at Brussels Midi/Zuid station. We took another train to Brussels Central, conveniently included in our Eurostar ticket (totaling $97 for two adults and one child). The journey from Paris to Brussels took about 1 hour and 20 minutes, followed by 30-40 minutes to reach the central station. Walking to the hotel from Brussels Central Station with our luggage was easy. Booking Eurostar tickets in advance is recommended for potential savings.
Alternatively, several bus services operate between Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
Booking
We booked our stay through MakeMyTrip, selecting a breakfast-inclusive, refundable rate. We paid in full about one month before our visit, with the four-night stay costing $845 (approximately $211 per night).
Location
We were delighted with the hotel’s location. It was close to the main square and surrounded by cafes, restaurants, a convenience store, and a shopping street.
- Brussels Central Station: 3 minutes
- Toot Bus Stop: 2 minutes
- Grand Place: 3 minutes
- Mont des Arts: 4 minutes
- Tram Station: 7 minutes
Arrival and Check-in
We reached the hotel around 3:30 PM and checked in immediately. We were immediately given a room on the 5th floor. The reception staff was quite helpful and friendly. They provided us all the necessary details and helped with some additional queries.
Room and Amenities
The room design was unique, featuring a single bed directly across from the main door, and a passage leading to an area with a double bed, luggage storage, shelves and drawers, a desk, a kettle, a coffee maker, and a TV. The TV was mounted on movable rods, allowing it to be viewed from either side of the room. Large windows provided plenty of natural light, though the slanted roof initially gave us a slightly enclosed feel. The bathroom was spacious and well-equipped with a shower area and full toiletries.
The hotel had two keycard-accessible lifts, both of which worked efficiently. For families with children, the hotel provided coloring sheets and crayons in the waiting area near reception, and there was also a luggage room available for guests.
Breakfast
The breakfast buffet included a satisfying continental spread to start each day. Options included fresh fruit juices, tea, coffee, a variety of fruits, an assortment of breads, muffins, cakes, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, cut fruits, cereals, whole fruits, beans, a waffle-making station, various meats, cheeses, eggs, and more. Breakfast was served near the reception area, and there was also a bar/restaurant in the hotel for guests to enjoy drinks and Italian cuisine.
Overall Service
Housekeeping services were available until 5:00 p.m. Most of the housekeeping staff members spoke limited English. Despite the language barrier, they were friendly and helpful, and the reception staff was always willing to assist when needed. However, we did notice that the housekeeping staff missed refilling the shower gel and coffee pods. On our third day, upon returning in the evening, we noticed lots of flies in our room and realized the staff had left the windows open. It took us a while to clear all the flies.
Overall, Ibis Brussels Off Grand Place provided an excellent base for exploring Brussels, offering comfort, convenience, and proximity to the city’s major attractions.
Summary
Booking process and check-in: Smooth. Friendly and helpful reception staff.
Room and amenities: Took us a while to adjust to the slanting wall design
Housekeeping & Service: Housekeeping has some room for improvement
Location: Can it be better than this?
Value for Money: Excellent!
Overall Rating: Will certainly consider it for my next visit
You may also like to read about our Paris hotel experience
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