Hilton Brussels {BEL} (no longer Honors)
Jun 11, 2007, 11:43 am
#76
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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... and you can split the difference, rail to Centraal / Centrale, taxi to the hotel - maybe 5 minutes if traffic is good. The rail station is in the bowels of the airport terminal, so it's easy.
Jun 11, 2007, 11:52 am
#77
Join Date: Sep 2005
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There are two Hilton's in Brussels - the one described in the posts above is South of the city centre, the other one North of the city centre, with the former being in a much nicer area than the latter.
I'd take the taxi; €30-€35 off-peak, €40-€50 in rush-hour. Biggest disadvantage are the huge taxi queues during weekday's morning (around 8:30-10:30), where wait can be up to 45 minutes. Alternatively get a limousine service to pick you up.
Train is a good option, too. But only use it during the day - the three Brussels stations are truly horrible.
SmilingBoy.
I'd take the taxi; €30-€35 off-peak, €40-€50 in rush-hour. Biggest disadvantage are the huge taxi queues during weekday's morning (around 8:30-10:30), where wait can be up to 45 minutes. Alternatively get a limousine service to pick you up.
Train is a good option, too. But only use it during the day - the three Brussels stations are truly horrible.
SmilingBoy.
Jun 11, 2007, 11:59 am
#78
Join Date: May 2005
Location: BRU
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Posts: 2,641
There are two Hilton's in Brussels - the one described in the posts above is South of the city centre, the other one North of the city centre, with the former being in a much nicer area than the latter.
I'd take the taxi; €30-€35 off-peak, €40-€50 in rush-hour. Biggest disadvantage are the huge taxi queues during weekday's morning (around 8:30-10:30), where wait can be up to 45 minutes. Alternatively get a limousine service to pick you up.
Train is a good option, too. But only use it during the day - the three Brussels stations are truly horrible.
SmilingBoy.
I'd take the taxi; €30-€35 off-peak, €40-€50 in rush-hour. Biggest disadvantage are the huge taxi queues during weekday's morning (around 8:30-10:30), where wait can be up to 45 minutes. Alternatively get a limousine service to pick you up.
Train is a good option, too. But only use it during the day - the three Brussels stations are truly horrible.
SmilingBoy.
You're spot on on the taxi queues, though, re the train stations, I really wouldn't classify them as "truly horrible". Whilst they may lack the 'glamour' of some of their other European counterparts, they're absolutely fine (esp. Central and South), certainly for hopping on/off the metro (Midi) etc.
Jun 11, 2007, 2:15 pm
#79
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Brussels, EU
Posts: 279
You can also save 20-30% on the cab if you take an 'autolux' airport taxi and upon entering ask for a return trip.
There are two Hilton's in Brussels - the one described in the posts above is South of the city centre, the other one North of the city centre, with the former being in a much nicer area than the latter.
I'd take the taxi; €30-€35 off-peak, €40-€50 in rush-hour. Biggest disadvantage are the huge taxi queues during weekday's morning (around 8:30-10:30), where wait can be up to 45 minutes. Alternatively get a limousine service to pick you up.
Train is a good option, too. But only use it during the day - the three Brussels stations are truly horrible.
SmilingBoy.
I'd take the taxi; €30-€35 off-peak, €40-€50 in rush-hour. Biggest disadvantage are the huge taxi queues during weekday's morning (around 8:30-10:30), where wait can be up to 45 minutes. Alternatively get a limousine service to pick you up.
Train is a good option, too. But only use it during the day - the three Brussels stations are truly horrible.
SmilingBoy.
Jun 11, 2007, 7:17 pm
#81
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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In Brussels, there are
Hilton Brussels, 38 Boulevard de Waterloo (the OP's hotel)
Hilton Brussels City, Place Rogier 20 (walking distance from Gare du Nord)
Conrad Brussels, Avenue Louise 71 (reachable by light rail from Gare du Midi, iirc)
Scandic Grand Place is three minutes' walk from Gare Centrale (alas, departed the Hilton family)
Hilton Residence at Ambiorix 28 is no longer listed as a Hilton property
The rail stations seem to be OK, very industrial (Centrale / Centraal has some interesting statuary) if not exciting.
Hilton Brussels, 38 Boulevard de Waterloo (the OP's hotel)
Hilton Brussels City, Place Rogier 20 (walking distance from Gare du Nord)
Conrad Brussels, Avenue Louise 71 (reachable by light rail from Gare du Midi, iirc)
Scandic Grand Place is three minutes' walk from Gare Centrale (alas, departed the Hilton family)
Hilton Residence at Ambiorix 28 is no longer listed as a Hilton property
The rail stations seem to be OK, very industrial (Centrale / Centraal has some interesting statuary) if not exciting.
Last edited by JDiver; May 17, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Jun 11, 2007, 8:33 pm
#82
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MAA
Programs: BA bronze, Marriott silver
Posts: 2,804
Hilton Residence at Ambiorix 28 was fun - and a very nice location for a stay, if you have anything to do that's related to conferences at the EU. It is also within walking distance of some very nice restaurants indeed, courtesy the fact that EU bureaucrats do like to remain well fed. Pity it is no longer a hilton.
Jul 18, 2007, 8:48 pm
#84
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 487
Will this hotel (Hilton Brussels, 38 Boulevard de Waterloo) offer a diamond upgrade? Is it good? What about the lounge access? Any chance of a suite?
What about location to sights? Food?
Are taxis easy on Saturday? Or should I book a car?
What about location to sights? Food?
Are taxis easy on Saturday? Or should I book a car?
Jul 25, 2007, 4:39 pm
#85
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,338
Just returned from the Boulevard de Waterloo Hilton. As a Diamond, I was automatically upgraded to a junior suite and given Exec Lounge access. There was also a rubber ducky waiting in the bathtub.
It was very easy and cheap to take the train from the airport to Midi/Zuid. Then walk out of the train station to the metro (very short walk) and take Line #2 (direction Simonis) to Louise. Exit on Waterloo 4 (rather than 3) and you see the hotel two short blocks away. Including waiting time, the trip took less than an hour. Total one way cost per person - 2.80 Euros for the train and 1.50 Euros for the metro - much cheaper than a 30 Euro taxi ride.
Open bar is from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. We arrived five minutes late, but the hostess agreed to get us a free beer. We had breakfast in the downstairs restaurant and did not check out other munchies during the day.
The hotel is about a 15 to 20-minute walk to La Grande Place.
It was very easy and cheap to take the train from the airport to Midi/Zuid. Then walk out of the train station to the metro (very short walk) and take Line #2 (direction Simonis) to Louise. Exit on Waterloo 4 (rather than 3) and you see the hotel two short blocks away. Including waiting time, the trip took less than an hour. Total one way cost per person - 2.80 Euros for the train and 1.50 Euros for the metro - much cheaper than a 30 Euro taxi ride.
Open bar is from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. We arrived five minutes late, but the hostess agreed to get us a free beer. We had breakfast in the downstairs restaurant and did not check out other munchies during the day.
The hotel is about a 15 to 20-minute walk to La Grande Place.
Jul 25, 2007, 8:12 pm
#86
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Last time I've been at the Hilton Brussels, 38 Boulevard de Waterloo, as a diamond I was upgraded to an executive room.
I was a bit disapointed by the room and this hotel even if the staff was very nice and quite helpfull for information about the city.
I was a bit disapointed by the room and this hotel even if the staff was very nice and quite helpfull for information about the city.
Jul 26, 2007, 8:08 am
#87
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The Brussels Hilton is very nice with the upgrades and exec lounge assess. You can eat breakfast in either lounge or restaurant (the restaurant opens 30 min earlier) but you must be certain to remove the restaurant charge from your bill. The FD will do it in 2 min. Be certain to try the afternoon pastries. I believe the booze and wine comes out at 600 PM. Note: They permit smoking the small downstairs bar only and it aint nice.
MisterNice
MisterNice
Jul 26, 2007, 10:46 am
#88
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Jul 26, 2007, 11:30 am
#89
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,338
We returned to the lounge at 8:35 p.m. and the staff had removed all the beer/liquor. However, as "an exception", the staff served my husband a free beer. After that, each beer was 4 Euros.
Jul 26, 2007, 1:26 pm
#90
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
Well then that is a change (and not a good one). We were there in the Autumn of 2005 IIRC. There were a variety of liqueurs that were available until closing. There were also several desserts available.