Looks like we will be spending New Years Eve in Brussels. I'm looking for recommendations for a hotel with a package deal for the weekend. I prefer something in the 3 or perhaps 4 star category, within walking distance to Mont des Arts.

I've searched everywhere I can think of with no luck. Old posts say hotels don't post their packages until mid-November. Is that still true?

Any ideas?

Hi, I just did a quick search and found this:

http://royalwindsorbrussels.com/defa...px?pg=specials

It's pretty close to Mont des Arts and seems to be 3 1/2 stars, although I am not sure if the specials will still be running on NYE.

Maybe if you find a hotel you like you could contact them directly and ask about their special rates for that time of year. I would think the Eurocrats would mostly be on holidays at that time and you might have some luck.

Lavandula

I would have thought that it was a lot too late to book anywhere for NYE. I tried to book about 4 weeks ago and most places I would have liked were already booked. It was not Brussels, though. My husband and I were in Brussels for NYE many years ago and really liked it. The restaurants had their tables out in the streets around the Grand Place and people had dinner outside. Yes, really. They had many heaters on. Great fun. At midnight everybody gathered at the Grand Place and burnt their fireworks. I would recommend to find a hotel near the Grand Place and have dinner with the people in the streets. We were at the Amigo Hotel which I hightly recommend.

You have lots of choices as you're within an easy walk of the Sablon and the Grand'Place. In addition to the Amigo (very nice and part of the upscale Rocco Forte chain) and Royal Windsor, there's Le Dixseptieme ( http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...-Brussels.html )
If you can get a view room of the Sablon, look into the NH Grand Hotel du Sablon (the former Jolly Hotel) which is right on the lovely Sablon: NH Hotel Du Grand Sablon. NH has spruced up the hotel - it would now be our first choice. We've stayed several times at two other NH Hotels in Brussels (up near the Place Louise and Place Stephanie) and liked both the service and quality. Looking at the Grand Sablon's availability for the week-end, deluxe rooms with Sablon view, breakfast and free use of the minibar are only 120 euros a night - pretty good, IMO.

Here's their link - don't know why they have such a LONG link:

http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotel...er=home&stext=

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the suggestions.
Room rates seem reasonable. I will make some calls to see if anyone has special packages for the weekend.

If not, any suggestions for restaurants?

Le Fruit Defendu is our favourite place, but doubt if they're open NYE - are you looking for a NYE restaurant - IMO, you should get your hotel booking finalized, then find a restaurant within walking distance...

http://sites.resto.com/lefruitdefendu/

Aux Armes de Bruxelles is frequently recommended, but we think it's an overpriced tourist trap with mediocre service.

If you're out bopping around the city and want to get a meal at a place that doesn't take reservations, we recommend Le Martin Pecheur (kingfisher). Our favourite place for steak.
http://www.lemartinpecheur.be/
It will be open NYE, but it's not within walking distance of the Grand'Place or Sablon (although it is just a five minute walk from the Montgomery metro stop and is also by a stop of the number 27 line that would take you back to the Sablon; last bus back on NYE would be about 11:50 pm). Not haute cuisine but a popular neighbourhood spot.