Le Meridien Brussels, Belgium, CLOSED Jun '14, to reopen as Hilton [Master Thread]
Aug 24, 2013, 11:43 pm
#76
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: A Brit living in Los Angeles, California
Programs: SPG Platinum, VS Red, BA Blue
Posts: 241
Is the wifi free for Platinum's? I see on the website you get 30 minutes use free, and wired access but I'm traveling with an ipad. Thank you.
Aug 25, 2013, 9:01 am
#77
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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Aug 25, 2013, 12:52 pm
#78
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: A Brit living in Los Angeles, California
Programs: SPG Platinum, VS Red, BA Blue
Posts: 241
Nov 19, 2013, 3:28 am
#79
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 361
Disappointing stay
I had a quite disappointing stay recently.
At check-in, the desk clerk told me that I would be upgraded to a newly renovated junior suite, and I would be the first person to stay in the room after the renovation. The lobby area is very nicely renovated in a modern style, so I was expecting the same for the room.
This was however quite a disaster. Furniture was evidently not new, but reclaimed from different hotel rooms. 3 different types of wood in 3 different styles (e.g., desk not matching nightstands not matching coffee table), with lots of scuffs. Also, apparrently they did not want to change the location of the light fixtures when renovating the room, and the bed that had been located in the room previously had been wider than the new bed. So the bedside lamps were at a distance to the bed. They did not even bother to properly center the bed. Pictures and mirrors were hung at an angle. The wallpaper was not properly applied and came off in the corner of the foyer. The bathroom seemed to be recent, but not new. Also, odd room layout with the window pushed into a corner of the room with a view of nothing.
This was just a quick one night stay, and if the desk clerk had not proudly announced that I would be the first person to stay in the newly renovated room, I might not even have noticed the flaws. But when you see how many corners they cut in their room renovations it makes you wonder about the hotel's management and its financials.
In any case, it looks nothing like the renovated rooms on the website, and I don't think I will return despite the convenient location next to the station. Rather spend a bit more and stay at Hotel Amigo again.
At check-in, the desk clerk told me that I would be upgraded to a newly renovated junior suite, and I would be the first person to stay in the room after the renovation. The lobby area is very nicely renovated in a modern style, so I was expecting the same for the room.
This was however quite a disaster. Furniture was evidently not new, but reclaimed from different hotel rooms. 3 different types of wood in 3 different styles (e.g., desk not matching nightstands not matching coffee table), with lots of scuffs. Also, apparrently they did not want to change the location of the light fixtures when renovating the room, and the bed that had been located in the room previously had been wider than the new bed. So the bedside lamps were at a distance to the bed. They did not even bother to properly center the bed. Pictures and mirrors were hung at an angle. The wallpaper was not properly applied and came off in the corner of the foyer. The bathroom seemed to be recent, but not new. Also, odd room layout with the window pushed into a corner of the room with a view of nothing.
This was just a quick one night stay, and if the desk clerk had not proudly announced that I would be the first person to stay in the newly renovated room, I might not even have noticed the flaws. But when you see how many corners they cut in their room renovations it makes you wonder about the hotel's management and its financials.
In any case, it looks nothing like the renovated rooms on the website, and I don't think I will return despite the convenient location next to the station. Rather spend a bit more and stay at Hotel Amigo again.
Nov 19, 2013, 3:45 am
#80
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Everything is refundable
Posts: 3,727
I had a quite disappointing stay recently.
At check-in, the desk clerk told me that I would be upgraded to a newly renovated junior suite, and I would be the first person to stay in the room after the renovation. The lobby area is very nicely renovated in a modern style, so I was expecting the same for the room.
This was however quite a disaster. Furniture was evidently not new, but reclaimed from different hotel rooms. 3 different types of wood in 3 different styles (e.g., desk not matching nightstands not matching coffee table), with lots of scuffs. Also, apparrently they did not want to change the location of the light fixtures when renovating the room, and the bed that had been located in the room previously had been wider than the new bed. So the bedside lamps were at a distance to the bed. They did not even bother to properly center the bed. Pictures and mirrors were hung at an angle. The wallpaper was not properly applied and came off in the corner of the foyer. The bathroom seemed to be recent, but not new. Also, odd room layout with the window pushed into a corner of the room with a view of nothing.
This was just a quick one night stay, and if the desk clerk had not proudly announced that I would be the first person to stay in the newly renovated room, I might not even have noticed the flaws. But when you see how many corners they cut in their room renovations it makes you wonder about the hotel's management and its financials.
In any case, it looks nothing like the renovated rooms on the website, and I don't think I will return despite the convenient location next to the station. Rather spend a bit more and stay at Hotel Amigo again.
At check-in, the desk clerk told me that I would be upgraded to a newly renovated junior suite, and I would be the first person to stay in the room after the renovation. The lobby area is very nicely renovated in a modern style, so I was expecting the same for the room.
This was however quite a disaster. Furniture was evidently not new, but reclaimed from different hotel rooms. 3 different types of wood in 3 different styles (e.g., desk not matching nightstands not matching coffee table), with lots of scuffs. Also, apparrently they did not want to change the location of the light fixtures when renovating the room, and the bed that had been located in the room previously had been wider than the new bed. So the bedside lamps were at a distance to the bed. They did not even bother to properly center the bed. Pictures and mirrors were hung at an angle. The wallpaper was not properly applied and came off in the corner of the foyer. The bathroom seemed to be recent, but not new. Also, odd room layout with the window pushed into a corner of the room with a view of nothing.
This was just a quick one night stay, and if the desk clerk had not proudly announced that I would be the first person to stay in the newly renovated room, I might not even have noticed the flaws. But when you see how many corners they cut in their room renovations it makes you wonder about the hotel's management and its financials.
In any case, it looks nothing like the renovated rooms on the website, and I don't think I will return despite the convenient location next to the station. Rather spend a bit more and stay at Hotel Amigo again.
You can imagine that it takes months, if not years to redo the bathrooms of such a big hotel.
What you see quite often is a soft renovation that normally includes the carpet, bed (mattress only is an option as well) and some furniture items.
Anyway, it is good to see some changes in Brussels.
After the renovations at the Sheraton Airport, LM Brussels, the big one is up next...and that is a huge project incl. the bathrooms.
Nov 19, 2013, 4:54 am
#81
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 361
Well thanks for pointing out, but I guess I am familiar with the concept of a soft renovation. If this is reasonably well executed, I see no reason it should involve 1) scuffed, clearly mismatched furniture, 2) sloppy finishing such as things hanging at angles and wallpaper coming off, 3) light fixtures in the wrong places that were dictated by the previous room layout.
I guess it is a matter of expectations. If a hotel clerk proudly announces a renovated room to a guest (and the hotel website shows many pictures of nicely renovated rooms), the guest expects such. Faced with a room like the one I got, will then leave the guest underwhelmed and with an impression that the hotel tries to get away with spending the absolute minimum possible.
To each their own, but in this case I feel there are alternative hotel options with a better price-quality ratio in Brussels, even if more expensive.
I guess it is a matter of expectations. If a hotel clerk proudly announces a renovated room to a guest (and the hotel website shows many pictures of nicely renovated rooms), the guest expects such. Faced with a room like the one I got, will then leave the guest underwhelmed and with an impression that the hotel tries to get away with spending the absolute minimum possible.
To each their own, but in this case I feel there are alternative hotel options with a better price-quality ratio in Brussels, even if more expensive.
Nov 19, 2013, 5:21 am
#82
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,783
Agreed, a renovation should be an improvement, not the other way around.
The rate for LM Brussels fluctuates quite a bit, so I guess your contentment depends on how much you paid.
The rate for LM Brussels fluctuates quite a bit, so I guess your contentment depends on how much you paid.
Dec 2, 2013, 11:20 am
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Not sure if I've cracked the code or not, but after my 10th night this year I now get upgraded to a nice, renovated executive suite. ^
Dec 2, 2013, 7:52 pm
#84
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
I'm not sure what exactly is executive suite vs. junior suite. I've always had a junior suite (with a sitting area) on the 6th floor (usually facing Station Centraal) in 6-7 stays over the past 12 months. My stay 2 weeks ago was a 6th floor junior suite that faced away from the train station. The rooms all looked similar with minor differences.
Dec 3, 2013, 1:59 am
#85
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Everything is refundable
Posts: 3,727
I'm not sure what exactly is executive suite vs. junior suite. I've always had a junior suite (with a sitting area) on the 6th floor (usually facing Station Centraal) in 6-7 stays over the past 12 months. My stay 2 weeks ago was a 6th floor junior suite that faced away from the train station. The rooms all looked similar with minor differences.
AFAIK, all senior suites are also true one bedroom suites
Dec 3, 2013, 2:51 am
#86
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Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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Yeah I'm a bit confused about this room too. At first it said suite online, then it changed to executive room. And at check in they said executive suite. It's much larger than the junior suites I've had in the past, and sort of L-shaped at the end of the hallway on the 2nd floor. The desk is around the corner in its own area. It's the largest room I've had here in the last 4 years or so.
Apr 16, 2014, 12:00 pm
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
FYI they just upgraded the Internet access here today. On my iPhone in the room I'm getting over 3.3 Mbps down and 1.3 Mbps up. Well done LM!
Jun 4, 2014, 3:11 pm
#88
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Europe now, used to be NA
Programs: SPG LTP
Posts: 154
Operating entity LM Brussels bankrupt
Article is in Dutch, sorry for that
In short: dispute between building owner & operating entity, the latter heavily loss-making for years & bankruptcy has been declared today.
Article also mentions that no closure is foreseen for now - sort of equivalent of US Chapter 11 procedure kicks in so all reservations etc should be secure for short/medium term. Long term this procedure does imply that the 'curator' will look out for candidates for a takeover though.
http://www.tijd.be/nieuws/ondernemin...3077.art?ckc=1
In short: dispute between building owner & operating entity, the latter heavily loss-making for years & bankruptcy has been declared today.
Article also mentions that no closure is foreseen for now - sort of equivalent of US Chapter 11 procedure kicks in so all reservations etc should be secure for short/medium term. Long term this procedure does imply that the 'curator' will look out for candidates for a takeover though.
http://www.tijd.be/nieuws/ondernemin...3077.art?ckc=1
Jun 4, 2014, 6:09 pm
#89
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: SK Gold, AF Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,712
Huh, that's surprising, I've always thought LM, of all Brussels properties, would be profitable.
Jun 5, 2014, 12:00 am
#90
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: BA Gold, Asiana Club Dmnd (*G), AA plat, Alitalia FA, SPG Plat, Accor Plat, HGP Dmnd, HH Dmnd
Posts: 145
Article is in Dutch, sorry for that
In short: dispute between building owner & operating entity, the latter heavily loss-making for years & bankruptcy has been declared today.
Article also mentions that no closure is foreseen for now - sort of equivalent of US Chapter 11 procedure kicks in so all reservations etc should be secure for short/medium term. Long term this procedure does imply that the 'curator' will look out for candidates for a takeover though.
http://www.tijd.be/nieuws/ondernemin...3077.art?ckc=1
In short: dispute between building owner & operating entity, the latter heavily loss-making for years & bankruptcy has been declared today.
Article also mentions that no closure is foreseen for now - sort of equivalent of US Chapter 11 procedure kicks in so all reservations etc should be secure for short/medium term. Long term this procedure does imply that the 'curator' will look out for candidates for a takeover though.
http://www.tijd.be/nieuws/ondernemin...3077.art?ckc=1