KayF

cdnyul - thanks for pointing that out. It's been a long time since I was in Brussels. We stayed twice at the Atlas Hotel and once at the Ibis right near the Midi station. The area around the Ibis was not great but we were hardly at the hotel, out most of the time and only 2 nights. I've been looking more at maps to figure out where things are. Would you say a hotel fairly close to Brussels-Central train station would be a reasonably central area? I know prices in that area are probably high but it will help once I'm looking for a hotel to book. Top of my list to see would be the grand historic buildings, a guided walk, art galleries, shopping.

Sorry ChallengerGrey, I shouldn't have jumped on your post.

Tulips

Near the Grand Place in Brussel would be good. The area of Sablon is nice too. Just stay away from the areas of Brussel Midi and Brussel Nord stations. No specific hotel ideas, but the NH hotels are usually good and reasonable. There's one on Sablon.

WeisserTee

Personally, we would always choose the Sablon over the GP. During our years in Brussels we didn’t find the GP area that enticing once you saw the actual GP and glass covered galleries.

In the Sablon, highly recommend the NH Hotel Grand Sablon. It does have airco, I believe, although we never stayed there during the hot months. If that is too expensive, perhaps the NH near the Place Stephanie or, even better, the Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie. Very good hotel, good rates too. https://www.thonhotels.com/our-hotel...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

cdnyul

Saving this one for future reference.

ChallengerGrey

All comments are welcome. I'm here to learn from the best!

ChallengerGrey

All comments are welcome.

ChallengerGrey

Excellent. Thank you.

ChallengerGrey

Yes - I've seen a few of the Thon in the locations I've been researching. I'll check out the Sablon area.

I really appreciate the area help. The location recommendations very helpful.

HappyTrvlr

We enjoyed being in the Central Canal area of Amsterdam and stayed at Hotel l’Ambassade on the Herengracht Canal. We walked everywhere with an occasional tram ride.

ChallengerGrey

The NH Grand Sablon in Brussels is fantastic! Thank you for the recommendation. I'm hoping the location works out.

AlessandraZoe

ChallengerGray,

So happy you are getting good leads...

My reaction to some of the remarks and replies though...

Your desire for AC TMI--I still get geriatric hot flashes. If our VRBO or AirBNB doesn't have AC, I look for cross ventilation and a fan. So I'm a supporter of your desire for ventilation. I am not a happy camper without a night's sleep--just ask my husband. And since I am the trip Commander-in-Chief, it's best that I'm rested.

ebikes TMI--Surgical complications and advanced arthritis have made my getting ONTO a biking seat, be it an ebike or otherwise, a no-no. In fact, an ebike is particularly hard for me to mount. I am drop-dead envious that you will get to do so. The happiest times of my life were on a bike. Oh well, I'm still alive and I'm still traveling. Enjoy every second!

Packing light TMI--Packing light: We are lifelong specialists in packing light; we've cycled all over the world carrying only one carry-on and a smallish backpack. We NEVER checked luggage, even when I carried my own cycling seat and gel cover and heavy cycling pants. Who knew that in our ages, our packing list and arrangement ended up "packing heavy"? I was so good at compression and folding, our "one small bag" could nearly kill us now. After bilateral sciatica and upcoming hip and knee replacement surgeries, I had to come up with a workaround.
The workaround: We now check luggage, something that was verboten in our prior years. And what we packed in ONE carry-on, we now pack in TWO carry-ons, sometimes with foam filler. Each bag is 20lbs or under. Yes, we have a luggage scale in the house.
The new method works! Mounting onto a train, I can get one suitcase on the first step, pull the second one up, etc. I did not lie awake in agony on our last big trip at all. The only downside is that I hate the space the two small bags take up in a room. I'll gladly deal.

Enjoy your planning,
AZ

GinnyJo

In Amsterdam especially I always email the hotel directly to ask if there is an elevator/lift, and how many stair steps there are from street level to the rooms. we are fine with one flight but just don't want to be bothered climbing more after a long day out. I just canceled a reservation when the hotel's reply was 37 steps from street to lobby and then at least another 18 up to the rooms, and that's if the room is not on an even higher floor.

GinnyJo

In Brussels about 6 years ago we were comfortable at this well-located hotel: https://www.warwickhotels.com/warwick-brussels

WeisserTee

Enjoy the hotel. The Sablon is so attractive we feel the splurge for a Sablon view room is worth it. You are directly across from Au Vieux Saint Martin, our favorite cafe in Brussels, which serves the most decadent cappuccino: a rich french roast coffee served with a bowl of homemade whipped cream, thick dark chocolate shavings (and a cookie too).

menachem

Somewhere with the #2 or #12 trams, ie the ones that stop both at Museumplein (Rijks, Van Gogh, Stedelijk) and get into town via Leidsestraat with stops at each canal in the ring. Access to trams is step free. Taxis will get you nowhere, because any taxi will be stuck in traffic. #1 and #17 are good tramlines too, as they go via Rozengracht, which gives you a stop close to Anne Frank house. With the #12 you also have easy access to De Pijp. Lastly being somewhere along the most recent metro addition, the #52 gives you an easy way to travel from Rokin (Dam) to De Pijp and the Museumplein area. So that's a good bet as well.

menachem

I wouldn't like to be ON a canal. Because in between the central axis streets Leidsestraat and Rozengracht/Raadhuisstraat, you'll have to walk further than you might like to get to the nearest tramstop.

e.g. to me the Marriott and NH hotels that are on Leidsebosje, just at the city end of Vondelpark are pretty well placed: modern buildings, so no faffing with impossible stairs, and well connected public transport-wise (on the #12: so De Pijp, Museumplein and everything central within the canal ring is in easy reach, plus you can stroll in Vondelpark (and visit De Roos perhaps)

HappyTrvlr

Menachem, we actually requested a room in the rear to avoid noise of cars driving between hotel and canal.

menachem

That is a very good addition. I mentioned them as examples.

ChallengerGrey

All this feedback is wonderful. WeisserTee - the whip cream...YUM! You hit me with your best shot.

I'm still looking in Amsterdam for the perfect location to stay for 9 nights. I have maps. I've done the schedule of where we'll be each day. I just can't find the perfect place. (I once booked a hotel so far away from the center, it was a rookie mistake made by the illusion of "things may appear closer than they really are" type scenario.)

I did a full presentation to my partner yesterday from the laptop to the TV. He just shows up in time for the flight. His personal travel guide takes care of the rest. I made him initial the schedule. No take-backs!

lavandula

Probably too late to help you, ChallengerGrey, but might help someone else looking for accommodation in Brussels ... we always stay around Avenue Louise, which is a safe neighbourhood. Last time we stayed in the Citadines Toison d'Or (an aparthotel) at Place Louise and then earlier last year we booked my husband in at the Smartflats as he will be travelling without us in February. Both are clustered around the Rue Jourdan, which is a restaurant street. They are also near to Place Stéphanie, which was mentioned upthread.

If you want to stay in the midst of things have a look at the Novotel Off Grand' Place (cookie cutter but will have A/C, also not too expensive), or if you like a nicer quality hotel, the Dominican. My in-laws also stayed at the Adagio Brussels Grand' Place (also an aparthotel), which is literally minutes by foot to most attractions. We all like aparthotels for the ability to prepare snacks and have the night in, but it doesn't mean you can't indulge in an evening on the town while you have accommodation like that, it just allows you to be flexible.

Lavandula