Something must be going on. Nothing is available at under $400 a night! I can't even find a hostel for under $300. Any suggestions?
Ive looked on all sites...and when I request a room, even if available, i get 'it has been booked' Do the people in Belgium just not like Americans?

Thanks,
Courtney

Sounds like there is some maor event on - perhaps connected to the EU offices there - since any hotels less than about $400 per night don;t seem to be available.

If you want a better rate I would pick a town not far away - 30 minutes by so or train - and try to find a hotel there. Perhaps Ghent.

Have you tried airbnb? http://www.airbnb.com/ I plugged in your dates and found two apartments. One was $101, and the other $169. Admittedly the one looked pretty scaggy, but at least there was something available.

So my train is arriving in Brussels. I am thinking..stay one night at an expensive rate, then the next day go stay the night in Bruges. I do not know if my ticket is good for Bruges to Amsterdam..haven't gotten it in the mail yet. I know it is a IC train that can be used for a month.

Would that be a good choice and how much is it to go to Bruges to Amsterdam on the IC (get on whenever you want, no reservations) train?

Several years ago we flew from Budapest to Brussels arriving at 9:40PM.

We managed to get our luggage, pass thru customs and find our way to the train station level (the train station is below the airport) in time for a train that left around 10PM.

We didn't stop for tickets as the booths were all closed and I wasn't about to figure the ticket vending machines at that hour.

When we got off the escallator the train was sitting there and the conductor told us to get on and he'd sell us the tickets on the train.

Not only did he sell us the tickets to Brussels (from the airport) from one of those portable machines, he also sold us the tickets from Brussels to Brugges.

In Brussels we had a few minutes to read the board and get to the correct track.

We arrived in Brugges at 11:45 and there were no taxis at the train station. Within about 15 minutes a taxi pulled up and we got to our hotel.

I think the idea of checking hotel prices in Ghent makes sense if you want to see Brussels. Ghent is close by and has a charming older section with some impressive architecture and art (notably the Van Eyck Adoration of the Lamb altarpiece)

It looks like there are a number of trade shows. I checked booking.com and there's very little availability. But right now there's something in the EU quarter for 220 euros a night.

Not too sure about Bruges to Amsterdam -- I think that you have to come back to Brussels first. Have you thought about staying in Antwerp, which is on the way to Amsterdam, and is also quite interesting? Bruges is also lovely of course.

Late Rooms is showing some....

http://www.laterooms.com/en/k1157607...ls.aspx#dorisj

haven't checked in detail though

Well I booked it. We are staying at the 2GO4 Hostel. got good reviews, good price, did a lot of research.