Hotel Stanhope Brussels - Rue du Commerce 9, Square de Meeûs 4, Brussels, 32-02-506-91-11, http://www.stanhope.be/home.html
Located a stone’s throw from the Royal Palace, Avenue Louise and five minutes from Central Station, this 95-room hotel typically caters to diplomats during the week. With a simple front entrance and blue awning and a spacious lobby (for a European hotel) that is pristine yet understated. We found the service to be very friendly and helpful--that is, when we could actually find someone. The main problem with this hotel is that during the weekends the staff is cut by 3/4. It’s also fair to mention that this hotel does not have a bell boy or concierge - ever. The front desk clerk on duty is the concierge and although very nice they are not well informed about the city’s restaurants, best ways to see the city efficiently, basically all the questions tourists ask. This hotel also boasts (in every tour guide) a complimentary shoe shine – daily – provided you put your shoes in a basket found in your room. That’s great, right? Wrong. Every night, we left our shoes outside, and NOT ONCE were they taken or cleaned. I am sure week nights are a different case.
The lobby was all marble floors with lots of antiques arranged in mini-seating areas and cherry-maple woods. Fresh flowers, daily papers and candies at the front desk were also available. Internet access was located at a small desk in the front of the lobby. The charge was 5 euros for 15 minutes and 10 euros for 45. A small bar and an additional seating area were located at the back of the lobby. Guess what? During the weekend, the bartender was the front desk clerk too! It was like a bad sitcom. Two very clean and spacious bathrooms were also off the lobby, towards the elevators. There was a fresh fruit platter by the elevator that was replenished daily. That was a nice touch.
The rooms were surprisingly spacious (we had a standard room), with a separate seating area. They had a couch, two chairs, table, TV, half-bath, telephone, dataport, and (an almost empty) mini bar, separated by a door where the bedroom was and the large bathroom (minus the toilet). The main bathroom had a separate shower and large Jacuzzi tub, two sinks, Molton Brown products, hair dryer (with a button that you had to hold down to keep on), robes, slippers, a towel rack warmer (that was very cool), telephone, and plenty of light, mirrors, and marble. The bedroom was small, with a large closet (including umbrellas), another telephone, trouser press, and TV. The rooms were decorated in a very traditional Old English style, with classic and antique-looking furniture. Lots of light blues, medium-colored woods, off white and gold touches. Really pretty, not modern at all, very bright and very clean. I would say it was exactly what you’d expect from a hotel room.
The hotel had a small "fitness room" with a sauna, solarium, a few pieces of equipment and it was free of charge to the guests. The only restaurant was off the lobby, by the front entrance to the hotel. Small and super overpriced – and only open on the weekdays, of course. Are you seeing a pattern here? There was a small supermarket around the corner where we were able to buy water and basic items. There were also a few sandwich shops, a camera place, and bookstore that were opened early on the same block.
We booked this room on Expedia, very last-minute, because we saw a great deal and read that this hotel was so beautiful and convenient to touristy places. Yes, the hotel is very pretty, and it did have a good location, but to be honest, the lack of service really made it an irritating stay. So much so that I doubt I would go back (my husband feels differently). I travel to see the sights and to be waited on. After all, you are getting away from your own life to relax--that is the purpose of a vacation! I was not able to do this here. We had to carry our bags up and down the five marble steps in the front and through the hotel. We were basically on our own with finding good places to eat and making reservations (every time we asked the front desk to make one, we would get back to the hotel and would be told the restaurant was closed--you didn’t know that?). We had to request turndown service every night (one night we didn’t get it), which at a hotel like this is ridiculous. We requested the shoe shine service (which is supposed to be automatic) every night and were never accommodated. The hotel was empty (they told us so) when we arrived, but we were not allowed to check in until the end of the day because the ONE maid on duty hadn’t gotten to all the rooms yet – can you imagine, for 95 rooms?!
Overall, it's a pretty place, but I would say if you are looking for great service, find somewhere else or don’t come here on the weekends. If you are just looking for a place to hang your hat that is clean and convenient, this is the place for you. Somewhat Recommended.