Well I don't know 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 having paid that little, I find this hotel exceeded my expectations.
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 a bit hopeless without a kettle. The decoration was minimal, the bed not particularly comfortable. So don't be fooled by the hotel's mega posh name 'Vendome'. The TV did not work very well but then I guess it it not an essential thing... Our bathroom was very small, not very clean and not very attractive, again it looked like the toilets you find in hospital rooms. The view out of the window was far from spectacular: an ugly concrete roof, not what you expect when you want to remind yourself that you are in a different country.
On the plus side though, the place was very quiet, great if you want to relax and have some privacy. The location was extremely convenient, on a walking distance to the city centre, although the area also boasted a few adult shops ... The other advantage was that there is a Leonidas shop just opposite the hotel where you can buy your chocolates before leaving.
But the highlight of this hotel, I must say, was their amazing breakfast selection, you could have everything you wanted to eat on your plate, toast, eggs, sausage, but also ham, croissants, etc... and as much as you want (or can)!!! It makes me hungry just writing about it. They also offer all sorts of flavours for your tea, mint green tea, camomile, English breakfast and they served great orange juice and excellent coffee as well. You could go and help yourself as many times as you wanted....
We left the place, our tummies full and our hearts content and feeling that we had spent a pleasant night at the Hotel Vendome. But we also thought that we probably would not come back unless it is again part of a special offer. One night there was probably enough as well and there was not much of an atmosphere there.
So I recommend it if you get a good deal but not if you have to pay the full price as you can find better, cleaner and cosier hotels than this one. Brussels is a great destination though if you fancy a change from London, a quick eurostar journey and you're there!