Hotel Vendome, Brussels

Advantages: Close to city centre, train
Disadvantages: Seedy part of town, dirty, unfriendly

...wife and I headed to Hotel Vendome for what appeared on Expedia as a well kept and reasonable hotel. It took us about 8 minutes walk from the main train station to get to Vendome, and we were greeted by two abrupt and unfriendly staff at the counter. They had to check three times only to realise we had a reservation, then gave us our keys. We asked for a map of the surrounding area and got one as small as a tubemap which did not help us whatsoever. ...
...On a brighter note, the hotel did provide a decent breakfast of bacon, eggs, bread, cheese, jams, bagels and an assortment of teas, coffees and juices which was included in the cost. This however could not make up for the night at the sweatbox, so we gathered our belongings and made our way to a nearby hotel... WITH A/C! ... Read review

Advantages: close to the city centre and a metro station, good breakfast
Disadvantages: dirty, noisey, too hot, clanking pipes, red light district

...paid around £60. The hotel is located on one of the main arterial roads heading out the city. It's a pretty run-down and grimy part of the town with peep-shows and adult shops all around. However, it's only a 10 minute walk from the centre and the Rogier metro station is almost right outside. The reception area was basic but reasonable. The staff on reception were courteous when I arrived but seemed to ignore their guests there after. Beyond the ...
...and under-sized lift up to my floor and got out to find some rather decor in the corridors. Got worse when I got into my room. It was small and cramped. Just enough space to put a bed and a tiny desk. The single door wardrobe was fitted into a cupboard that was flush to the wall. It contained a safe-deposit box. The room was filthy. There were footprints on the wall! Don't ask me how they got there. And there was what looked suspiciously like body ... Read review

Advantages: Convenient location near the city centre, very good breakfast
Disadvantages: Not very nice rooms with no view, the bathrooms are not very nice

...whether I should recommend this hotel or not.... Basically, if like us, you are given the option of staying in this hotel as part of a special deal, then go for it; but if you have to pay full price for the room, then just stay away from it! We ended up in this hotel as part of a wonderful 2 for 1 package in February which included eurostar travel from London to Brussels and one night at the hotel - all for just 120 pounds for the two of us!! So ...
...The hotel receptionist was ok but not incredibly friendly and did not smile very much. The staff in general were helpful but not overly friendly. To get to our room in the top floor, we had to use a lift that was not very nice, actually it reminded me of hospital lifts and then the narrow corridors also had something of a hospital feel to them... The room was very hot and not very well decorated but being addicted tea and coffee drinkers, we felt ... Read review