I will be traveling to Belgium in July and am trying to make a decision on which hotel to stay at....want a central location at a good price. Would like to try to keep it around $100 USD but would go a bit higher for something nice. Any suggestions? (female traveling along). Many thanks!

Hi Lisa! We were in Brussels several years ago and stayed at the Hotel Arenberg. While it's not fancy, seems to be more of a business-type hotel, it was very well located, only a 3-block walk from the central train station and about a block or so from the Grand Place. They serve a wonderful buffet breakfast and have a restaurant, also. I think I would have felt very safe there alone. Write to me at above e-mail if you would like more info.

Lisa, I highly recommend the Le Dixseptieme. It is very close to the Grand Place and is very charming! We loved this wonderful little gem. Try doing a search on it and check it out in the Rant and Raves part of Fodors. It is in a very good location (safe) for a woman traveling alone. They also have a website.

The DixSeptieme is a lovely hotel, but truthfully, I wouldn't stay in the Grand Place area. It's crowded and noisy and the rooms don't actually overlook the Place, so why not try a slightly different but still centrally located neighborhood? <BR>There are several nice hotels in the Sablon or Ave. Louise area that are quieter (and safer) at night. I would recommend the Jolly Hotel Sablon, especially if you have a room overlooking the Sablon itself, which is one of the prettiest squares in Brussels with lots of restaurants, shops and cafes and only a 10 minute walk from the Grand Place, but away from all the Rue Neuve area noise (and associated street crime). <BR>Off the Ave. Louise are the Hotel Bristol Stephanie, the Manos Stephanie, and the Tulip Inn (very popular with Germans, but not to be confused with the not as nice Golden Tulip Inn). You can probably find some good rates at those if you search around. The Ave. Louise has some of Brussels' best shopping and several mid-priced restaurants like the Riverside, Piccolo Mondo, the Nemrod cafe and so on. <BR>The Sheraton Hotel is nice but I don't particularly recommend the neighborhood, especially at night. DON'T stay by the Gare du Midi no matter how good a rate you're offered. <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

The Hotel Opera has basic, tiny rooms with bathrooms. Less than $100/night. Our room looked like it was undergoing a little renovation, but otherwise was fine (though, again, small). A minute's walk from the Grand Place and located on the neat little restaurant street/alley near the GP.

We stayed at the Radisson which is an excellent location. It's right across the street from the train station and centrally located as to walk everywhere. I would highly recommend this hotel. They have good promotional rates as well and the room itself was very nice.

I got a great deal on the Crowne Plaza in Brussels city center for this summer. Check their website www.crowneplaza.com

So sorry that I recommended the Radisson when I meant to say LeMeridian (across the street from the train station and an excellent walkable location to all the sites). I was getting my countries mixed up! I loved the LeMeridian with extra large rooms and the perfect location. Sorry for the mistake!