Hilton Brussels Grand Place {BEL}
Dec 21, 2017, 10:19 pm
#136
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,388
Actually, I'm a little confused now. Was the lounge by the bar which backs onto the breakfast restaurant?
Where did you get the photo of the old style Nespresso (with the handle)?
EDIT: Okay, now I understand, and excuse my ignorance because I foolishly thought the lounge behind the bar was temporary. Indeed, its the new lounge! So yes, its operating and I thought it was nicely decorated with sort of art-deco lights, bar stools on the left side and tables along the right. It's small and access to Diamonds and booked rooms granting EX would be prudent. There was no fridge so the drinks are put in ice as you enter and the food is at the back which backs onto the breakfast area.
yeas
I saw guests ordering food from the bar menu.
By the way, the food from the bar/restaurant is really good, I enjoyed a French platter.
And I found some photos I took!
EL Looking towards entrance
Real orchids...
Evening F&B
Kwak at the bar
Bar area
Where did you get the photo of the old style Nespresso (with the handle)?
EDIT: Okay, now I understand, and excuse my ignorance because I foolishly thought the lounge behind the bar was temporary. Indeed, its the new lounge! So yes, its operating and I thought it was nicely decorated with sort of art-deco lights, bar stools on the left side and tables along the right. It's small and access to Diamonds and booked rooms granting EX would be prudent. There was no fridge so the drinks are put in ice as you enter and the food is at the back which backs onto the breakfast area.
yeas
I saw guests ordering food from the bar menu.
By the way, the food from the bar/restaurant is really good, I enjoyed a French platter.
And I found some photos I took!
EL Looking towards entrance
Real orchids...
Evening F&B
Kwak at the bar
Bar area
Dec 28, 2017, 7:11 pm
#137
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: HH: Diamond, WofH: Globalist, UA: 1k, Longterm member only post when I have something new to ask/say
Posts: 165
Brief trip review here. Spent one day in Brussels en route from DC to Hamburg, to see Xmas markets etc. Because of early morning arrival and younger children, I booked a room for one day, emailing ahead of time to explain I wouldn't stay the night before, and to ask for a late checkout, which was granted after initially getting lost in the system (see earlier post). And boy was I ever glad I did that. Youngest child began complaining of a stomach ache a couple of hours after the meal on the plane, then he and the guy in front of us both started projectile vomiting (and yes, I did make a next day phone call to UA to report, and they were not interested in our child's vomiting, despite having made an announcement to ask for a doctor on the flight for the guy in front ...) They wouldn't say if other passengers had reported vomiting after the meal, probably understandably (we were curious, 12 hours later, kid was fine and none of us got sick, suggests food issue?)
Anyway, having a room was priceless, and the kind front desk staff extended the already late checkout by another hour to accommodate us after I explained he had been unwell (Anais went so far as to bring us water bottles in prep for our next flight) and housekeeping came in with fresh towels. We had a brief breakfast the morning we arrived (one parent and healthy child) and found the breakfast in the restaurant to be very good - amazing mushrooms and fresh omelettes, and the breakfast room and service run very efficiently (Louise). In fact, this Hilton breakfast gave some Park Hyatts a run for their money in my opinion. As a Diamond I liked having the restaurant or the lounge options for breakfast.
Later that afternoon I found the lounge to be smaller than I had expected based on the hotel and room sizes, and corridor-like (assuming we were in the right place, ground floor...) but we visited between service so there wasn't anything much there - I mostly visited so I could report back here, but luckily the post above is much more comprehensive and has photos. I was surprised at the long thing shape of it which was a bit odd but the furniture was modern. No-one there (late afternoon), but It was a quiet place for a couple of us to sit. I wanted a cup of tea and noted hot water is provided in one of those silver thermos flasks and it was a bit lukewarm. I prefer lounges with machines with hot water to the flask arrangement. So, sorry, the lounge wasn't impressive to me, but I was there at the wrong time - a good spread and some jolly patrons would perhaps make all the difference. However, if there are lots of children, I wonder a bit about the space since tables are close together. Agree with other poster, that this Hilton will likely have happier customers if they can keep it from getting too crowded.
The bedroom was nice, modern and quiet, with good fittings and an updated bathroom. Importantly, it was spacious. As many have noted upthread, this place is super handy for the station. One thing, I tried to use uber to get to the airport, and had it cancel on me twice, third time lucky. Third guy said uber app sometimes gets confused about where the hotel is.
Anyway, bottom line. Nice hotel, good food, really helpful staff, and good rooms and upgrades/treatment of Diamonds. Highly recommend. Years ago I stayed at the smaller Hilton in Brussels and I was really glad I opted for the Grand Place one here - higher cost was well worth it. Nicely located. Kind to families!
Anyway, having a room was priceless, and the kind front desk staff extended the already late checkout by another hour to accommodate us after I explained he had been unwell (Anais went so far as to bring us water bottles in prep for our next flight) and housekeeping came in with fresh towels. We had a brief breakfast the morning we arrived (one parent and healthy child) and found the breakfast in the restaurant to be very good - amazing mushrooms and fresh omelettes, and the breakfast room and service run very efficiently (Louise). In fact, this Hilton breakfast gave some Park Hyatts a run for their money in my opinion. As a Diamond I liked having the restaurant or the lounge options for breakfast.
Later that afternoon I found the lounge to be smaller than I had expected based on the hotel and room sizes, and corridor-like (assuming we were in the right place, ground floor...) but we visited between service so there wasn't anything much there - I mostly visited so I could report back here, but luckily the post above is much more comprehensive and has photos. I was surprised at the long thing shape of it which was a bit odd but the furniture was modern. No-one there (late afternoon), but It was a quiet place for a couple of us to sit. I wanted a cup of tea and noted hot water is provided in one of those silver thermos flasks and it was a bit lukewarm. I prefer lounges with machines with hot water to the flask arrangement. So, sorry, the lounge wasn't impressive to me, but I was there at the wrong time - a good spread and some jolly patrons would perhaps make all the difference. However, if there are lots of children, I wonder a bit about the space since tables are close together. Agree with other poster, that this Hilton will likely have happier customers if they can keep it from getting too crowded.
The bedroom was nice, modern and quiet, with good fittings and an updated bathroom. Importantly, it was spacious. As many have noted upthread, this place is super handy for the station. One thing, I tried to use uber to get to the airport, and had it cancel on me twice, third time lucky. Third guy said uber app sometimes gets confused about where the hotel is.
Anyway, bottom line. Nice hotel, good food, really helpful staff, and good rooms and upgrades/treatment of Diamonds. Highly recommend. Years ago I stayed at the smaller Hilton in Brussels and I was really glad I opted for the Grand Place one here - higher cost was well worth it. Nicely located. Kind to families!
Last edited by yaromac; Dec 29, 2017 at 3:02 am
Dec 29, 2017, 9:10 am
#138
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: HH D
Posts: 1,635
Brief trip review here. Spent one day in Brussels en route from DC to Hamburg, to see Xmas markets etc. Because of early morning arrival and younger children, I booked a room for one day, emailing ahead of time to explain I wouldn't stay the night before, and to ask for a late checkout, which was granted after initially getting lost in the system (see earlier post). And boy was I ever glad I did that. Youngest child began complaining of a stomach ache a couple of hours after the meal on the plane etc.
Jan 1, 2018, 7:51 pm
#140
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AC Altitude SE100K, HH Diamond
Posts: 254
Apr 23, 2018, 1:41 pm
#141
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Antwerpen - Belgium
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Melia Silver, NH silver, H10 Class
Posts: 658
Stayed here again last weekend.
A very nice stay, the executive lounge is now in a new location on the ground floor (but with decent views as the building is elevated at the back) with brand new design and with plenty of comfortable seating, at least 5 times the size it was before.
Decent food options at night with a choice of wines, prosecco, Absolut vodka, Beefeater gin and Remy Martin.
Service was good and we received a nice junior suite upgrade as a Diamond, including Godiva chocolates as a welcome gift.
(Junior) Suites also seem to have Nespresso machines now (ours did).
Breakfast (which we took in the main restaurant) was good, restaurant also completely redesigned/restyled (the new chairs were very uncomfortable though so we moved to table with couch seating).
We will be back!
They are definitely trying to put the hotel 'on the map'!
A very nice stay, the executive lounge is now in a new location on the ground floor (but with decent views as the building is elevated at the back) with brand new design and with plenty of comfortable seating, at least 5 times the size it was before.
Decent food options at night with a choice of wines, prosecco, Absolut vodka, Beefeater gin and Remy Martin.
Service was good and we received a nice junior suite upgrade as a Diamond, including Godiva chocolates as a welcome gift.
(Junior) Suites also seem to have Nespresso machines now (ours did).
Breakfast (which we took in the main restaurant) was good, restaurant also completely redesigned/restyled (the new chairs were very uncomfortable though so we moved to table with couch seating).
We will be back!
They are definitely trying to put the hotel 'on the map'!
Last edited by Delectatio; Apr 23, 2018 at 1:49 pm
Apr 23, 2018, 1:47 pm
#142
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,677
Stayed here again last weekend.
A very nice stay, the executive lounge is now in a new location on the ground floor (but with decent views as the building is elevated at the back) with brand new design and with plenty of comfortable seating, at least 5 times the size it was before.
Decent food options at night with a choice of wines, prosecco, Absolut vodka, Beefeater gin and Remy Martin.
Service was good and we received a nice junior suite upgrade as a Diamond, including Godiva chocolates as a welcome gift.
Breakfast (which we took in the main restaurant) was good, restaurant also completely redesigned/restyled (the new chairs were very uncomfortable though so we moved to table with couch seating).
We will be back!
They are definitely trying to put the hotel 'on the map'!
A very nice stay, the executive lounge is now in a new location on the ground floor (but with decent views as the building is elevated at the back) with brand new design and with plenty of comfortable seating, at least 5 times the size it was before.
Decent food options at night with a choice of wines, prosecco, Absolut vodka, Beefeater gin and Remy Martin.
Service was good and we received a nice junior suite upgrade as a Diamond, including Godiva chocolates as a welcome gift.
Breakfast (which we took in the main restaurant) was good, restaurant also completely redesigned/restyled (the new chairs were very uncomfortable though so we moved to table with couch seating).
We will be back!
They are definitely trying to put the hotel 'on the map'!
Apr 23, 2018, 5:42 pm
#143
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
Stayed here again last weekend.
A very nice stay, the executive lounge is now in a new location on the ground floor (but with decent views as the building is elevated at the back) with brand new design and with plenty of comfortable seating, at least 5 times the size it was before.
Decent food options at night with a choice of wines, prosecco, Absolut vodka, Beefeater gin and Remy Martin.
Service was good and we received a nice junior suite upgrade as a Diamond, including Godiva chocolates as a welcome gift.
(Junior) Suites also seem to have Nespresso machines now (ours did).
Breakfast (which we took in the main restaurant) was good, restaurant also completely redesigned/restyled (the new chairs were very uncomfortable though so we moved to table with couch seating).
We will be back!
They are definitely trying to put the hotel 'on the map'!
A very nice stay, the executive lounge is now in a new location on the ground floor (but with decent views as the building is elevated at the back) with brand new design and with plenty of comfortable seating, at least 5 times the size it was before.
Decent food options at night with a choice of wines, prosecco, Absolut vodka, Beefeater gin and Remy Martin.
Service was good and we received a nice junior suite upgrade as a Diamond, including Godiva chocolates as a welcome gift.
(Junior) Suites also seem to have Nespresso machines now (ours did).
Breakfast (which we took in the main restaurant) was good, restaurant also completely redesigned/restyled (the new chairs were very uncomfortable though so we moved to table with couch seating).
We will be back!
They are definitely trying to put the hotel 'on the map'!
May 8, 2018, 11:20 pm
#144
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Antwerpen - Belgium
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Melia Silver, NH silver, H10 Class
Posts: 658
Thanks for the update! Am thinking about staying here this summer on a family trip, and as a lounge-lover, am very happy to hear that they've expanded the area so they won't be so crowded. Do you happen to remember if they've added a cheese plate to the evening selections?
May 9, 2018, 7:48 am
#147
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
Thanks! I'm glad to hear it. I find that a bit of wine and cheese in the lounge in the evenings add a lot to my stays. Odd to hear that they went from a small lounge space to a nicer larger lounge space and then back to a small lounge space. I wonder what is driving the continual changes?
Last edited by whimsey21; May 9, 2018 at 7:54 am
May 11, 2018, 12:25 pm
#149
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Doylestown, PA, USA
Programs: UA Platinum Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 549
When I was there recently, the bar off the lobby had beer from the excellent local Brasserie De La Senne.... Don't miss the chance to try them.
For a Belgian bar, the barman is completely clueless about beer. But that's what you get I guess
For a Belgian bar, the barman is completely clueless about beer. But that's what you get I guess
Jun 9, 2018, 6:39 am
#150
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Just a quick question - thinking of staying here for 2 nights but then hoping they will be able to store 2 medium size suitcases for three nights. Do you think this is possible? If not does anyone know any bag storage places in the City and not too far from the hotel. We are heading to Tomorrowland festival so prefer not to carry anything big with us.
