Ibis Brussels off Grand Place, Brussels

Advantages: Fantastic location
Disadvantages: Beibg rebuilt during my stay

...This is an excellent clean and modern hotel with a terrific location and affordable rates. Firstly, the location is just a few blocks from both the Central Station and the Grand Place; the main tourist trap of the capital. This saved time and money as I was able to begin my Brussels adventures just about immediately after arrival into the city. Most of the main sights in Brussels are within walking distance; such as Grande place, Mannekan and Jannekan pis and many city museums...and since everything leads back to the Grand Place, you can easily drop in to dump stuff in your room or take a quick break from sightseeing , shopping, culture and dining. I was able to get a good 'city break' rate of 72 Euros per night with breakfast, pre-paid. The staff were very helpful during check-in considering the hotel was being renovated... Read review

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Advantages: Cosmopolitan with plenty to see and do
Disadvantages: Ridiculous hotel prices midweek

...by the French king Louis XIV. The result was disastrous: more than 4000 houses and the Grand Place were completely destroyed. The last foreign emperor to rule over Brussels and the present Belgian kingdom was the Dutch emperor William I. He was forced out of Belgium in 1830, when a successful struggle for independence began in Brussels. In 1831 the first Belgian king, Leopold I, ascended the throne and Brussels became the capital of the new kingdom. There then followed a long period of rebuilding, new and grand buildings were erected, the city walls were demolished, and the city expanded in size and importance. After WWII Belgium was divided in two semi-independent regions, Flanders and the Walloon Province. Brussels became a district with its own government (with limited powers). Brussels also became the capital of the European Union... Read review

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Advantages: Stunning architecture and lots of lovely different beers and chocolates
Disadvantages: Not a huge amount of well known attractions

...meeting you. ***MAIN ATTRACTIONS*** Brussels is full of picturesque squares, delightful green spaces and stunning architecture. Many of the streets are cobbled and surrounded by buildings with beautiful Art Deco facades. It's a place to wander and appreciate, sit in a quiet square and drink in the atmosphere. I'm not going to go into exhaustive detail on all the places to visit and things to do. Instead, I shall just mention the three most famous and well known attractions of Brussels. But please bear in mind there is a lot more to do and see in Brussels. *GRAND PLACE/GROTE MARKT * This is the best place to start your sightseeing in Brussels. It's set in the heart of the city and is an excellent base from which to familiarize yourself with Brussels. The Grand Place is an enormous open air cobble stone market square surrounded... Read review

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