Thanks to a last-minute United airlines fare, my mom and I are headed for a long weekend in Brussels next weekend. We will arrive at 7 a.m. on the 16th and stay 4 nights, departing on the 20th. Looking through past posts, it seems like the most recommended hotels are the Le Dixseptieme, the Hotel Amigo, and the Welcome Hotel. The Hotel Amigo looks great, but is a little too expensive. Can anyone give me some information on these or other places -- I'd like to have lots of choices since things could be booked. Here's our priorities: <BR># 1 -- location, we'd like somthing walkable to everywhere and as close to the Grand Place as possible <BR># 2 -- facilities, we definitely need a private bath, and a room appropriate for a mother and grown daughter to share (e.g. we'd like 2 beds), but it doesn't have to be lavish <BR># 3 -- cost, I'd like to spend less than $150 a night, much less if possible <BR># 4 -- other factors, quaintness, vicinity to train station, etc. <BR>Thanks so much for any help!

Kristi, <BR>Have you checked out the Amigo's weekend rates? We stayed there last spring and there weekend rates were about half the usual rate. You might be able to get that for your first three nights. The Amigo has a great location and a wonderful staff. Good luck and have a great weekend.

I stayed at the Hotel Motzart, right off of Grand Place and a 5 minute cab ride form Midi station. It was clean, quaint include a lovely, simple European breakfast. I was was actually thinking how much my own mother would enjoy it when I was there. The rooms themselves, are clean, and comfortable but by no means luxurious. We pain $100 a night for a triple. I think it sounds perfect for your needs. Let me know and I can dig up the info.

Thanks for the info Maggie and RBW. Am I right to want a central/Grand Place location? I've been to Brussels once before and I remembered that being the center of things (especially for such a short trip).

I think you'd definitely want to be near Grand Place- We found most of what we wanted to see and do was walkable. Ours was also a short visit. Grand Place at night is simply stunning when all lit up. Another alternative is to take the train for a daytrip or overnight to Brugge. The town is truly a gem.

any last thoughts before I start booking? I think we'll just be limiting our stay to Brussels.

Although it lacks in charm, we stayed at the Hilton in downtown last year. It is a business hotel, but convenient to everything. Check the rate, as I think some European hiltons have very cheap rates this winter for weekend stays. I got an $89 rate at the Munich Hilton for next week! Don't miss Bruges,three days is plenty for Brussels. It is an easy train ride away.

I second( or third) the encouragement to go to Brugge. We've spent a lot of time in Brussels, and really enjoy getting out of town - so easy on the train. Antwerp is a favorite of ours - even closer than Brugge. Not a perfectly preserved medieval city, though, like wonderful Brugges.

Kristi, <BR>I agree with those who have suggested a day trip to Bruges. It is a truly beautiful place, canals everywhere, a beautiful market square. It would make a great (and I think pretty easy) day trip. Have fun.

Thanks everyone -- we definitely plan to visit Brugge. I just meant to say that we'll probably stay all four nights in Brussels and do a day trip as suggested. Maybe Ghent, too, since both my mom and I have been to Brussels before. <BR> <BR>Maggie -- I checked the Hotel Amigo's rates and they are quoting 11.500 Bf for a "superior twin room." If my math is right, that's like $268 a night which is a little more than my budget. But it looks great! Hotel Mozart is more like $86 for a double (but not quite as fancy, of course).

We stayed at La Madeleine, short walk to train station, couple blocks from Grand Place. Don't remember the price but it had to be cheap, I was a student. Large room - quiet street, huge bath, friendly help. Recommended by Rick Steves, so it should be inexpensive. Quaint? Not really, but pleasant.

The Hilton which is a great location has rates of 4200 BEF on the weekends or abour $100 per night including taxes. Their normal rates are 2 1/2 to 3 times that. You might also consider B&B in Brussels. There are links from the fodors website.

Kristi, <BR>Yikes----that's a lot more than we paid last year. My reclolection ( my info is at home)is that we paid aorund 4500-5000 BEF. Perhaps they no longer have the half price weekend deal.

Kristi: We stayed at the Hotel Opera. I think Rick Steves recommends it, too. They have a website, but I do not have it with me. The price is right (I think approx: $80), and there is a bath (shower, actually) in the room. Be warned, the rooms are tiny. They were also in various stages of remodeling, but they were simple and clean. The rooms we saw had one double bed. Opera is on a pedestrian restaurant street/alley a minute or two walk to the Grand Place.

Kristi, <BR>Lately, I"ve been hearing alot about the street crime in Brussels, so please plan on being very careful. A woman I know, who lives in Brussels has been mugged twice in the past 4 months. Once at the train station (do not travel to/from there at night) and once right in front of the Hilton Hotel. I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just telling you to be extremely cautious, especially at night. Also, I'd recommend not skipping a trip to Brugges, I hear that's alot nicer than Brussels.

We stayed at the Le Dixseptieme and enoyed it very much. The location was ideal and the rooms were very nice.

many thanks for all the suggestions! Unfortunately, Le Dixseptieme was booked, and we now have a reservation at the Hotel Aris. It doesn't look particularly exciting from the web page, but it seems like a good location and the price is right.