Antwerp/Brussels/Luxembourg 2007

Hilton Antwerp

Hotel

I stayed in the Hilton as part of a work trip. We stayed in the "club level", which meant breakfast was included (albeit rather simple fare), as well as munchies and drinks (beer, soda) in the evening. The rooms were on the larger side, with European style bathrooms (for those from the US who haven't visited the EU very much, read this as "small").

The main complaints I would have with the Hilton are twofold. For starters, the room I had was right by a service closet, so I could hear the staff regularly moving material in and out at most all times of the day and night. Secondly, wireless Internet access was expensive - like about $20 (US) per day. If work wasn't paying for it, I would have never paid that much.

Having said that, the hotel is convenient for most of Antwerp, with an easy walk to the shopping district and a subway stop just around the corner. The food in the restaurant downstairs was decent enough, and the staff were quite exemplary.

The nightly rate here was about $330 (US).

Cheer
Flag

by Guanilo on August 27, 2007

Hilton Antwerp
Groenplaats 32 Antwerp, Belgium
32032041212

Hotel Ambiotel

Hotel | "Ambiotel, Tongeren"

They may consider themselves to be the high end place in Tongeren (and who knows, may be they are), but this was a very old place striving to keep up. The rooms were pedestrian (at best), with antiquated fixtures. The best feature of the hotel was the location; within about two or three blocks walking distance to the heart of the city and the Roman ruins. The parking in front of the hotel was only available until 8am the following morning (apparently, the lot converts to commercial use).

An adequate continental breakfast is included. Night rate for two adults was about $130 (US).

www.ambiotel.be/index.php?option=articles&task=viewarticle&artid=16&Itemid=&theme=ambiotel_en

Cheer
Flag

by Guanilo on August 28, 2007

Hotel Ambiotel
Veemarkt 2 Tongeren, Belgium 3700
+32 012 26 29 50

Hôtel Français

Hotel | "Hotel Francais"

The main hotel seemed nice enough. However, they were sold out. The attendant was kind to us, and found us a place in the "spillover" section, a block or so away. When we got there, it was on the third floor of a walk up and had all the appearance of a small city apartment. Having said that, it was serviceable enough, with comfortable beds and very high ceilings.

A rather good continental breakfast was included with the room rental. Our rate was about $130 (US) for two adults.

www.hotelfrancais.lu

Cheer
Flag

by Guanilo on August 28, 2007

Hôtel Français
14 Place des Armes L-1136 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
(352) 47 45 34

Hotel Le Dixseptième

Hotel | "Hotel Le Dixseptieme"

We heard of this hotel through Lonely Planet, and were we ever glad to have checked it out. The hotel has about a dozen suites, all named after famous Belgian painters and containing very high end appointments (Sky TV, marble bathrooms, etc). It's sumptuous to the point of decadence. Our room had two levels (the Suite Paulus). The bed was very good quality, room was quiet and warm.

The staff are very professional and courteous (which is to be expected at this level of cost). They recommended to us a number of good restaurants in the immediate area.

The location is quite prime as well. About two blocks from the train station and just up the street from the Grand Place. The very best of the Old Town of Brussels lies at Le Dixseptieme's doorstep.

A breakfast (both continental and hot) was included and pretty good.

The hotel's both quite popular and possessing of minimal stock, so reservations are a must. Our rate for two adults was $240 (US) a night.

www.ledixseptieme.be

Cheer
Flag

by Guanilo on August 28, 2007

Hotel Le Dixseptième
25, rue de la Madeleine Brussels, Belgium
+32 (2) 517-1717

Ibis Brussels Off Grand Place

Hotel | "Ibis"

The main reason we went there because it was only a block off the Grand Place and so central to Old Town Brussels. They were undergoing renovations at the time, so the room we had was loud and vibrating on a regular basis. The bed was average. No breakfast (that was what was being renovated), just a voucher to the hotel next door. We were not very enthused about the facility, but it was not the normal situation; please take this review with a grain of salt.

As with the Hilton Antwerp, having to pay for wireless Internet (about $13 (US) per day) was exceeding annoying. Nightly rate for two adults was $200 (US).

Cheer
Flag

by Guanilo on August 28, 2007

Ibis Brussels Off Grand Place
GRASMARKT 100 Brussels, Belgium 1000
+32 (2) 5144040

Da Giovanni

Restaurant

Walking from Groenplaats towards the entrance of the Cathedral of Our Lady, you'll walk between a few gentlemen standing in front of two Italian restaurants situated immediately across the street from each other. It might seem as if they are in competition to see which one of them can draw you inside; actually, they are both part of the same establishment.

It's a pretty good Italian joint. I'd say the specialty is probably pizza. I had their lasagna - and it was good enough - but the pies are rather good indeed.

www.dagiovanni.be

Cheer
Flag

by Guanilo on August 29, 2007

Da Giovanni
Jan Blomstraat 8 Antwerp, Belgium 2000
+32 3 226 74 50

IgoUgo

Antwerp

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals