Hotels

The business of Brussels is business (and politics), a fact reflected in the cost and nature of available accommodations. Hotels in the upper price range, including deluxe hotels of just about every international chain, have a wealth of facilities for business travelers and efficient, though invariably impersonal, service. At every level, hotels fill up during the week and empty out on weekends. July and August are quiet months throughout the week. In off-peak periods, rates can drop as much as 50% from those quoted here; be sure to ask for lower rates and confirm that you're quoted the correct rates, which include a 6% value-added tax and a 16% service charge. If you are traveling with kids, always ask about special rates for them. Many hotels allow a child to share his or her parent's room free or for a small extra charge.

All hotels have been designated according to their high-season rates. If breakfast is not included, expect to pay 5€ to 25€ ($6.25-$31) for a continental, buffet, or full breakfast, depending on the category of your hotel. Single rates are available in many hotels, though not always for a significant reduction over double occupancy. Only those hotels with rooms that all, or nearly all, have private facilities are listed here, even in the inexpensive category, unless there are compelling reasons for including a hotel where this is not the case. Only rates that apply to rooms with bathrooms are used to determine a hotel's price category. Room rates increase on average 5% annually.

Both Brussels International Tourism and the Belgian Tourist Office make reservations for the same day if you go to their offices in person and pay a small fee (which the hotel deducts from your room rate). Belgian Tourist Reservations, bd. Anspach 111, 1000 Brussels (tel. 02/513-74-84; fax 02/513-92-77; btr@horeca.be), provides a similar service. Brussels International Tourism publishes an annual Hotel Guide with listings organized by price range and can also provide complete information on the hostels of Brussels.

There's a hotel reservations booth for all of Belgium near the ticket counter at Gare Centrale; it doesn't accept telephone bookings.

Getting the Best Deal on Accommodations

Don't be afraid to ask for a reduction. Hotel prices drop whenever business travelers aren't around. Weekends, holidays, and July to August are the best times to get discounted rooms. More important than tourism in Brussels are visits for conventions, other business, and diplomatic/military (the European Union, NATO headquarters). Bruges is Belgium's big pure-tourism destination. In addition, there's a glut of business-type hotels because all of the big chains want to be represented in the "capital of Europe" for reasons of prestige. Quite often at weekends and in the high summer, rooms are discounted because there are fewer of these types of visitors. Also, Brussels shares to a degree the Paris syndrome, whereby anyone who can evacuates the city in July and August to go on vacation. Needless to say it's a great time to be in Brussels since the place is a lot less busy and a lot more pleasant at this time.

Note that there are decent medium-price hotels in the streets around the Grand-Place and the three main railway stations, and even in the upmarket neighborhood of avenue Louise.

When choosing a hotel, find out if breakfast is included in the room rate. This isn't always the case, and some hotels charge a disproportionate price for rolls and coffee.

You pay less for rooms without a private bathroom. Hallway showers and toilets are usually well maintained, and the price reduction is substantial.

Youth hostels and youth hotels (both open to all ages) naturally have the cheapest deals of all. Brussels has five of them around the city, and they have all upgraded their facilities in recent years, with more single and double rooms and some private bathrooms. Be aware that if you want to stay at one of the official youth hostels, you can buy an international membership card before leaving home. But you can also pay a nightly surcharge of 2.50€ ($3.15), which after 4 nights makes you a member.

Family-Friendly Hotels

Hotel De Boeck's -- This family favorite near place Louise has huge, well-furnished rooms -- they don't necessarily have all the latest amenities, but the whole family can stay in one room in considerable comfort.

Les Bluets -- The hospitable proprietor of this hotel will make your family feel like members of her family.

Booking in a B&B

Brussels has two bed-and-breakfast organizations: Bed & Brussels, rue Kindermans 9, 1050 Bruxelles (tel. 02/644-07-37; fax 02/644-01-14; www.bnb-brussels.be); and Bed & Breakfast Taxistop, rue du Fossée-aux-Loups 28, 1000 Bruxelles (tel. 070/22-22-92; fax 02/223-22-32; www.taxistop.be). Both have a database of several hundred rooms, from the simple to the grand.