Royal Embassy 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: A city without the hastle
Disadvantages: Drivers are a bit nuts

...and bars, but I didn't really appreciate the city. I had several friends and relatives out to visit while I was there and I took them on the standard "Tour of Brussels". You go to the Grand Place, visit the bizarre peeing boy (sorry 'Mannekin Pis'), take a trip out of the city to the Atomium then back into the city shooting by the Palais Royal and across to Avenue Louise for a few bevies before dinner. A short visit and a small appreciation for the City. It was only on my second visit to Brussels, another 3-4 months, that I managed to understand how wonderful Brussels is. I can recall many summer evenings passing through the Grand Place. The most interesting point being not that the buildings around the square are old and pretty but that you'll find groups of teens and twenty somethings sat in the middle of the square just chatting. I... Read review

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