Duke787

Awesome the Ren it is then. Thanks!

djohannw

Might be worth to check with the REN if their lounge is open over the period you are there if it is an important factor - I remember that the Renaissance was quite aggressive in closing their lounge over periods of low occupancy in Brussels which the time between Christmas and New Year's certainly is...

Greetings - Dirk

Delectatio

The Renaissance is indeed a very decent hotel. I like their rooms and it is usually quiet at night (opposed to the Marriott in the city centre where you will hear sirenes and street noise all night). It is not 'in' the city centre but it is a pleasant walk to the Grand Place area (you will pass the Royal Palace and the Kunstberg on the way, which are both worth a visit) or you can take public transport.
Their lounge is always closed during weekends (from Friday night to Sunday night I think) but the restaurant breakfast is nice (though it can be hectic on Sunday mornings). The Renaissance has a full gym and a decent pool as well which can be a plus for some.

The Marriott (Grand Place) lounge remains open during weekends (at least for most of the year) but I find their rooms on the small side (and as I said it is noisy at night). I also find the breakfast room of the Marriott dark and depressing, the Renaissance restaurant is bright and airy.

Just my opinion...

Duke787

Thanks for the heads up on that - I'll check though if it's close it isn't a deal breaker

Thanks for this! It seems overall it's not worth spending the extra money for the Marriott GP, would rather save the money for food (and extra chocolate from Neuhaus!)

GiantCow

Seems like this is not a terribly popular thread, went back a few pages and ended up in 2015!

Anyone stay at the Marriott GP recently? How was your experience?

I'll be in Brussels for two nights next month and will most likely end up at the Marriott. Although the Courtyard is about 62 Euros cheaper but I understand it's a bit of a trek to get to all the touristy places + there's no lounge/breakfast.

Duke787

Anyone have experience with this property and how strict they are with guest count.

Basically I was looking through my reservations and noticed that Citi accidentally booked our room as a 1 person room instead of a 2 person room (even though at the time the rates were the same).

Just caught it now but unfortunately rates have gone up so re-booking (as a 1 or 2 person room) causes the whole thing to be ~$90 more expensive.

If this was a Hilton I wouldn't care, I know that double occupancy on a single person rate is a Diamond benefit (that I've used multiple times to save $) but I also know that unfortunately it's not a Marriott Plat benefit.

Should I re-book and accept the extra cost or play dumb on arrival and blame the TA (as they should be since I looked at my email to Citi and it clearly indicated to book for 2)?

abhilife2001

I have never had a problem between 1 & 2 persons other than one property asking me to pay for addl breakfast cost as that was priced depending on number of occupants.

PHLGovFlyer

I'll have about 36 hours free time in Brussels early February. I can stay at the Grand Place or Ren. I've never been to Belgium and am generally interested in culture, history, and the arts. I'm fine with walking most everywhere.

Suggestions on which of the two hotels would be best? The price is identical for both.

dingo

Stay at the Marriott. For such a short visit, you'll appreciate it.

Tomphot

jtwiz

I had about the same amount of time in Brussels (following a business trip to Antwerp where my offices are) and stayed at the Marriott. We arrived late morning on the train from Antwerp, took a cab to the hotel (it was pouring out and after a few minutes of trying to get our bearings, we gave up!) and was able to check in right away. We spent 2 nights there, just enough time to walk around town, see a few sights, do a little chocolate shopping (it was Valentine's Day and Mr jtwiz bought me some immense Belgian chocolate-covered strawberries - OMG!!)

In any case, the Marriott was extremely convenient for walking around town, beside the first cab ride from the train station, we went on foot everywhere else. FYI. We had a great dinner at La Villette, a charming restaurant not too far from the hotel. You will want to make a reservation (I made it on-line.)

GiantCow

Marriott is in a great location. If you're a beer drinker, there's a nice little beer bar just across the street.

Steve_19

Completely agree on the location. Hotel itself is a bit dated and not the cream of the Marriott crop, but the location is hard to beat. We stayed there for three nights in April 2017 and had a nice stay. Some pictures from the hotel: https://www.thetravelingexpats.com/r...l-grand-place/

Duke787

Ended up at the Courtyard EU in my case (was able to utilize 3 cat 1-5 certs that the two of us had accumulated).

Full review in that thread but the net of it is that it was a great hotel. If you are someone who doesn't mind a bit of walking (we love walking when we travel) the location is not bad at all (maybe 1 mile to Grand Place). Very good use of the cat 1-5 certs considering how few cat 1-5s exist in major European cities so close to the city center.

Mainline777

Currently debating the Marriott or SPG Dominican (Design Hotel, so no upgrades or breakfast). We are spending one day in Brussels but then a few more visiting Ghent, Bruges, and Antwerp as day trips from Brussels, so proximity to the train station is a must. So only considering those two properties, although Courtyard EU is also not too far.

Any opinions? Seems like the Marriott is a bit worse of a hotel (dated, loud at night), while the Dominican is nicer but some concerns (AC weak, no breakfast or other elite benefits).