Conrad International Brussels, Ixelles

...twelfth wedding anniversary at the Conrad for some time and we were certainly in no way disappointed.

It being our wedding anniversary, and being a Hilton Hhonors Gold VIP member, we were given a free upgrade to an absolutely superb duplex suite at an astonishingly good rate, although it is clear that any room at this hotel would be delightful; it's known for its very spacious, well-furnished rooms. Basic rooms are 42 square metres ...
...190 Euros per night. The rack rate was 1150 Euros. The Euro is very much on a par with the US Dollar. We were absolutely delighted! Two nights in a duplex suite, a bottle of champagne on ice, international telephone call from our room, delivered breakfast and a room-service pizza late at night all came to less than 425 Euros, and that is, as I've said, pretty much on a par with the dollar.

We were met at reception by a very polite ... more

We had really looked forward to spending our twelfth wedding anniversary at the Conrad for some time and we were certainly in no way disappointed.

It being our wedding anniversary, and being a Hilton Hhonors Gold VIP member, we were given a free upgrade to an absolutely superb duplex suite at an astonishingly good rate, although it is clear that any room at this hotel would be delightful; it's known for its very spacious, well-furnished rooms. Basic rooms are 42 square metres - yet our suite boasted 120 square metres. We paid 190 Euros per night. The rack rate was 1150 Euros. The Euro is very much on a par with the US Dollar. We were absolutely delighted! Two nights in a duplex suite, a bottle of champagne on ice, international telephone call from our room, delivered breakfast and a room-service pizza late at night all came to less than 425 Euros, and that is, as I've said, pretty much on a par with the dollar.

We were met at reception by a very polite and smartly-dressed porter, who offered to carry our bags in. We had a suitcase on wheels which was easy to negotiate. Call me a cheapskate, but we politely declined the offer. It was so nice to be asked, though! Casual observation proved that he and his team also spent the rest of the day carefully valet-parking clients' cars. A very nice touch if we had not arrived by train!

A fax machine and five - yes, five - telephones may not be at the top of everyone's wish-list for a leisure stay, but two floors, two bathrooms, two televisions, dining room with table and four chairs, comfortable settee, two sumptious armchairs and the most comfortable bed (with incredibly comfortable pillows) on a huge mezzanine floor certainly impressed us; the room was immaculately clean and really well furnished. Discreet delivery of complimentary Champagne on ice as a welcome was the jewel in the crown.

When you walk into an hotel room, you normally expect a certain amount of welcome literature. It was all there, together with a hard-back directory of the "Leading Hotels of the World". This hotel is, apparently, number 1 in Belgium (OK, it's a small but important European country), number 12 in Europe (pretty impressive) and number 48 in the World. I'd say that was pretty good. It makes you feel good to know that you've made a good choice - as if you actually need to be told! Previous guests apparently include Bill Clinton, Bill Gates and Mick Jagger. Oh - and me, too! I don't know whether Monica Lewinski has visited. I'm sure she would have enjoyed it; one of their bars is renowned for its huge selection of cigars. It also has a vast selection of malt whiskies.

Brussels is a city which is very well worth exploring - there are copious places to eat (often outside, on the street, which is great on a summer evening) and drink (Belgium is famous for its huge selection of beers) - and to return to your hotel to find that your curtains have been pulled shut, your slippers have been laid out by your bedside and luxurious bathrobes have been laid out on the bed makes you feel totally and utterly pampered.

Breakfast was delivered to our room very promptly, as ordered, and was absolutely delicious. I'm not, I confess, a huge fan of breakfast (even if it IS the most important meal of the day) but this was a real treat. We hung a card on our door handle and in the morning it was promptly delivered by courteous and friendly staff on a trolley (complete with a linen tablecloth) which converted to a dining table. Superb. And this luxury only cost an extra 2.50 Euros.

The staff were at all times friendly, professional and efficient - from the front desk to the housekeeping staff. OK - so there was a bit of confusion at check-in, but this was actually hugely amusing as it happens and was dealt with very professionally by the duty manageress.

In conclusion, this was a fantastic stay at a world-class hotel with a superb "Champney's" health club, equipped with a relaxing, delightful swimming pool, fitness rooms and health centre. Go there - and enjoy it; pamper yourself! You deserve it!

If you were taking the kids, avoid the on-site toy shop. It's a fantastic Aladdin's cave with high prices. There again, as you leave the hotel you step out onto the fashionable "Avenue Louise". Rodeo Drive in Belgium. Better not take the secretary!

I've conversed by e-mail with the manager, Yves, many times and he's very much "on-the-ball". By far the best hotel I have ever stayed in and, for a prestige member of the Hilton family, very good value indeed. Honest!

Very highly recommended!

Andrew 

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