There are many places to stay, unsurprisingly. If you don't know Brussels at all, don't worry. It's a human-scale city and although its various areas or 'pockets' aren't as obviously connected together as they might be, public transport is fairly good. It doesn't matter too much which area you choose to stay if you want to make the most of the weekend and explore Brussels a bit on Saturday and Sunday.
So you may want to think about staying in the classic central area, i.e. within walking distance of the Grand Place, or the EU area (where we live), from where it's just 3-4 metro stops (5-10 minutes) to the centre.
WARNING: we have not personally visited or inspected these hotels. Our recommendations are based on price, convenience and feedback from reviews on travel websites. If you've got any questions or want more personalised advice, send us an email.
Near the party
There is a hotel 3 minutes' walk from the party venue. So if you're planning on leaving Brussels the morning after the party, this could be a convenient option. But if you're going to stay on for the weekend and explore, we'd advise you to stay somewhere more central unless you want to spend a fortune on taxis.
- Sodehotel, (Best Western Premier) rooms available (rooms €75-90 including breakfast)
Central Brussels.
For the central area: parts of town such as Sablon, Place St. Cathérine are quite picturesque with lots of cafés and shops, and are interesting both by day and night. From Sablon, it's a walk of perhaps some 15 minutes to the Grand Place - but on Sunday, for example, you're within reach of the Marolles area where there is an interesting flea market. St Cathérine is an extended square whose two long sides have many fish and seafood restaurants, for example; from there to the Grand Place is much closer. There's also the St Géry square area which is just 5-10 minutes walk away for interesting bars that stay open into the small hours.
Hotels near(ish) the Grand Place
- Hotel Tap Toe this is a 4 bedroom up-scale B&B attached to an art gallery about 3 minutes' walk from the Grand Place. Looks delightful, very good reviews and an excellent location - but not the cheapest. Room cost/night including breakfast €98-€125
- Sleepwell The other end of the scale! Youth hostel near to the Rogier metro station (just behind City2 shopping centre and 8 minutes' walk to the Grand Place). Single €46, twin €66 or triple €91.50 (en suite rooms) including breakfast, but bring your own towel and soap!
- More hotels will be added here.
Hotels near Saint Cathérine
- Novotel Tour Noir on Place St Cathérine. Great location, 5 minutes' walk to the Grand Place, near to St Cathérine metro. Rooms available for the Friday onwards for +/- €90. Worth knowing; A maximum of 2 children can stay for free, including breakfast, when staying in their parents' room
- Atlas hotel, also near to St Cathérine. Has good feedback on various websites. Doubles looking around €80.
- More hotels coming soon
Hotels in the EU area
It's quieter (especially on the weekend) and more 'residential', although there are lots of restaurants etc as well. Easy to get to the centre. The big plus about this area for accommodation is that while the hotels are usually pretty busy during the week with people doing EU-related trips, they often have good deals for a Friday-Sunday stay. With luck, you're probably looking at about €70-80 a night for a double Friday>Sunday, but higher rates during the week.
Places that are worth trying for this would be the Silken Berlaymont, New Hotel Charlemagne - right in the heart of the EU area.
- Renaissance hotel near to Place Luxembourg, the social hub of the EU area. Nice business hotel, rooms from €79 a night, including for Thursday 23rd June if you plan coming the night before.
- Silken Berlaymont one minute from the Berlaymont, the European Commission's main HQ (also very near our house) Rooms Friday & Saturday from €79, Thursday night is €197 (ouch!)
- Radisson Blu EU Next door to the European Parliament, business hotel with mid-week prices for people with expense accounts Rooms from € 89 on Friday & Saturday €89, but Thursday €199.
via airbnb.com which "connects people who have space to spare with those who are looking for a place to stay" so you rent a flat or a room with private bathroom in a private house. Rooms from €50 upwards over all over the city. Contact us if you want any advice.
