jenneepoo

I know there are many references to favorite hotels in Brussels and Brugge, but I'm feeling pretty lazy and finding those recommendations buried in longer trip reports is proving time-consuming.
Can I be lazy and ask for hotel recommendations in each city, please?
Hubby and I are spending two nights in each city and are concerned about location, location, location so that we can easily see sights and access restaurants/bars/cafes. Local flavor/ambience would be great, too, as opposed to a chain hotel. Budget? We don't want 5 star/deluxe properties, but nothing less than a 3 star/moderate, either. Is this too vague? The personal recommendations on the forum have proven SOOO valuable in the past - I hope the experts in the area don't mind sharing their favorites
Thanks very much in advance for all suggestions.

cmcfong

I recommend the Adornes in Brugge. DH and I were there with two other couples and all of us were delighted with the accomodations. The staff is incredibly helpful with dinner, sightseeing, etc recommendations. The location is excellent. The breakfast is ample, filling and very tasty. The front desk is manned by Natalie, an incredible ambassador for Belgian hospitality. Enjoy your visit. It is a lovely town. I have not been to Brussels so nothing to offer on that count.

jody

We especially like The welcome Hotel, in Brussels. The hosts are charming , the rooms large and clean, near the Grand Place and many nearby cafes and restaurants. They also have a shuttle service to the airport and maybe to the train station as well.

I've recommended them to others and they have all reported back with pleasure.

http://www.hotelwelcome.com/index.htm

BabsB

We also enjoyed our stay at the Welcome Hotel in Brussels. We arrived very early in the morning so Vanessa invited us to enjoy breakfast while they prepared our room. We had the Kenya room and it was quite fun. Barab

cmeyer54

My husband enjoyed the hotel Bryghia in Brugges - lovely rooms, well located and free car park across the street.

jody

Thank you Cmeyer! I was trying to remember where we had stayed in Bruges . We too enjoyed our stay there and really liked the bountiful breakfast! Ideal location, canals at the rear , close to center of the town yet very quiet at night.

Ann1

Another vote for the hotel Welcome. I personally wouldn't stay anywhere else. They also (for a fee) will transfer to and from the airport.

Travelnut

We stayed at the Atlas Hotel in 2002, and I would definitely use it again. It is about 650 meters walk to Grand Place (about 4 blocks). Our room was quiet, a bit larger than normal budget Europe hotel, very nice bath. It is not luxury but a very good value for the price.
Atlas Hotel Brussels ***
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 30 Brussels 1000
http://www.atlas.be/
Double/Twin: Mon-Thurs 125€ / Fri-Sun 85€

PWAbbott

If you want a B&B, I highly recommend the Absoluut Verhulst in Brugge. It was a lovely accomodation and the best breakfast ever. The hosts are wonderful people and extremely helpful. Their website is www.b-bverhulst.com.

BTilke

In Brugge, the Number Eleven B&B is a treat. www.number11.be

In Brussels, do some web sleuthing before you decide. Hotel prices in Brussels can be quite competitive, you may easily find 4* hotel/amenities for 3* prices.

The Hotel Welcome doesn't particularly float my boat but I know it has many fans.

jenneepoo

Would anyone know of an event the weekend of May 6/7th that would be impacting hotel availability in Brussels? I checked a few websites but didn't notice a holiday; I could easily have missed it.
Thanks to all yet again!

AnselmAdorne

Another vote for the Adornes Hotel (and not just because of the same name). We had a bright, spacious room overlooking the canal. Excellent housekeeping, a welcoming breakfast room, and a short walk to wonderful sites.

Anselm

BTilke

I just checked www.hotel.de and put in May 6 & 7 for Brussels and plenty of hotels had availability. The Hotel Welcome was not among the dozens listed; either they're already booked or they don't participate in that reservation service.
Of the hotels available, many were excellent 4* hotels offering good specials...including the Renaissance Marriott (you say you don't want a chain hotel but all the reviews on TA are very positive) for about 119 per night; the Sofitel Toison d'Or for 109 euro per night, the Manos Premier (not a chain, well regarded but not well known hotel) for about the same.
www.hotel.de is a good booking service; we've used them several times and found excellent rates and they were very reliable. No problems whatsoever.