Belgium - recommended hotels

By Mark Sukhija

Please mention MarksTravelNotes.com when contacting these fine establishments. I have stayed at all these hotels.

    Antwerp

  • Hilton Antwerp (Groenplaats 32, Antwerpen) - Right in the centre of historical Antwerp, the Hilton Antwerp is a matter of minutes from the Cathedral and Peter Paul Rubens house. Rooms are spacious and facilities are modern. A high scorer in the comfy carpet and good bathroom stakes. There's also a rather enjoyable cafe overlooking Groenplaats for people watchers. One of the more expensive hotels in Antwerp - but you get what you pay for in location, comfort and facilities.

  • Hotel Ibis Antwerp Centrum (Meistraat 39, 2000 Antwerpen) - Does what it says on the tin. Reasonably priced budget hotel. Weekend market is in the square directly outside. Walking distance (around 10 minutes) from the Cathedral and the historical centre of Antwerp. Bathrooms are tiny and service can be quite functional. But you get what you pay for.

    • Brussels

  • Four Points by Sheraton (Rue Paul Spaak 15, B-1000 Brussels) - The Four Points by Sheraton in the Ixelles area of Brussels around a 30 minute walk or a short tram ride to the old town and right around the corner from the shopping street of Avenue Louise. Rooms are generally clean, comfortable and improved after a Sept 2009 refurbishment. Breakfast offers a respectible spread of meats and cheeses and a good selection of coffees. Staff are helpful and responsive to comments / questions etc. Pretty good value all round.

  • Novotel Brussels off Grand Place (120 rue de Marche Aux Herbes, B-1000 Brussels) - Right around from the Grand Place Square, the Novotel Brussels off Grand Place is extremly well located to explore Brussels and a short walk from Brussels Central station. Rooms are clean and comfortable. Overall a solid performer providing the usual Novotel combination of handy location, cleanliess, service and value for money.

Others - caveat emptor

    Bruges

  • Hotel Portinari ('t Zand 15, Bruges) - Had a bit of a problem swinging the cat in the room of this otherwise centrally located and clean hotel (the cat had a problem getting into the bathroom.) Plenty of tourist-orientated restaurants in the square outside and walking distance to all major attractions. Overpriced for what it is. (2006)

    • Brussels

  • NH Brussels City Centre (17 Chaussee de Charleroi, B-1060 Brussels) - Not impressed on our last stay and haven't returned. Reception staff uninterested. Room was too small to swing a cat. Bathroom too small for cat. Air-con far, far too loud to leave on overnight. Breakfast unimpressive and overpriced. (2006)

    • Liege

  • Ibis Liege Centre Opera (Place de la Republique Francais 41, 4000 Liege) - Seriously unimpressed only my visit for the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix. While the location is fine - close to the historic centre of Liege - the plumbing is in dire need of an upgrade. Every flush or use of the shower produced some amazing sound. And that was from the room next door. No need to mention the noise for same-room plumbing noises! There's no restaurant, there's no bar (well - there is sort of in little more than a cubby hole by reception) Rooms clean but very basic. Won't be returning to Ibis Liege Centre Opera without a major upgrade. (2012)