making first trip to brussels. will be there 1 full day and morning departure (via air) the next day. will be out on foot exploring city. please recommend whether i should stay near airport and take train/taxi downtown, or if it would be more desireable to stay downtown.

i will be arriving via high speed train from amsterdam.

thanks.

I would stay in Lower Town ( in the city)

Stay in the city - there is a train from the airport direct to the city centre.

Last year we stayed at the Best Western Carefour d'Europe.

It's a 5 minute walk to the train station (I believe 20 minute ride to the airport), as well as 2 minutes to Grand Place and other sites.

Great location.

There are a couple of current threads on Brussels accomodations:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34946231

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34951744