anyone know the exact locations of the two properties in brussels? i.e. how close are they to one of the three train stations, in or out of city center? easy access to the subway? planning a trip this upcoming wknd, and am always working on building up that hilton status. thanks for your help. one hotel is on blvd de waterloo, and the other is on square ambiorix

[This message has been edited by lonman (edited 06-04-2001).]

The main Brussels Hilton, in which I have recently stayed twice, is very convenient. Brussels kinda doesn't really have one single downtown area per se. I want to say the Hilton is on Ave Tante Louise, but at any rate, it is very close (2 blocks) to the subeay station and tolerably close to the main train station (maybe 2 kilometers; the cab ride was about $7 US). You can walk to the museums (Modern and Ancient Art [adjacent to each other], chocolate museum, beer museum), the Grand Place (again maybe 2 kilometers), the Royal Palace, the famous "pissing boy statue," and so forth. There is "adult entertainment" close by if you are so inclined, and lots of bars and restaurants (mostly mediocre IMHO) This hotel had good rates (about $90 US) and the staff were efficient but quite stuffy. The rooms are average and the lounge is good. The bar is OK and not too expensive by American standards. I did not (never do) eat in the restaurant.

Overall I recommend the hotel and would give it about a 7.5 or an 8 based on my experiences worldwide.

Actually, that's Avenue Louise, not Ave. Tante Louise. It's a very nice shopping area, a nice place to walk, and right at the metro (subway) station. However, it is not in the vicinity of the traditional city center (the Grande Place) or any of the train stations.

so, is avenue lousie closest to brussel nord of the three main stations then?

so, is avenue louise closest to brussel nord of the three main stations then?

Have you given any thought to staying at the Conrad in Brussels? They are located on the Ave. Louise about 2 blocks from the Louise Metro Station. I was there in late March and thought it was great. It was in walking distance of the Grand Place and the subway was close. We stayed on a bounce back rate that was fairly cheap and my HHonors points posted in about 3 days. I described my stay in a post under the Hilton Forum. Do a search for postings by "dlflyer" under the Hilton forum and it should be easy to find. Any questions feel free to e-mail me.

[This message has been edited by dlflyer (edited 06-05-2001).]

I think the closest main railway station is Central, but you will anyway have to take a taxi or a subway to get to the hotel from any of the railway stations. Central is something like 1 km away the Hilton at Avenue Louise.

JPH

I totally agree that Conrad is much nicer than Hilton. I have stayed several times in both hotels and prefer Conrad.

JPH

what about starwood properties? sheraton at place rogier or 4 points at rue paul spaak? any idea where these properties are relative to the city center? now that i've maxed out my hilton 4 stays a quarter bonus program, i might as well work on keeping starwood gold.



[This message has been edited by lonman (edited 06-08-2001).]