Really low-cost hotels in Brussels
 

I'm planning to spend 4 days in Brussels looking at art (some of it more than once), and haven't figured out what part of town to be in. Two hotels near the De Brouckere metro have very low rates ($100-$148) and not bad reviews-- the George V (rue T'kinstraat) and the Queen Anne (blvd Emil Jacqmain). Would be very grateful if someone has advice-- safe area? Easy walking to the Musee des Beaux Arts? Or other low-rate suggestions. Thanks.

What are your travel dates? If you are traveling over a week-end (that doesn't coincide with a major convention), you should be able to find deals at better hotels.
For example, the NH Stephanie Hotel often runs week-end specials of 69 euros per night. It's a comfortable 4-star hotel at the edge of a pedestrian street with cafes, restaurants and shops just steps away, plus is close to the Louise metro stop and several tram lines.

My preference is to stay in the Upper Town (Ave. Louise or Ixelles areas near the Tenbosch park) or over by Merode/Cinquantenaire. I lived in both areas and found them more attractive, more relaxed and with much better moderately priced restaurants.

Also, you may find the art you want to see spread out in different places around the city. For example, one of my favorite exhibitions was that of late 19th and early 20th century posters shown in Ixelles, not far from the Porte de Namur metro stop.

I don't know anything about those hotels, but the area around the DeBroukere metro station is very safe. We stayed at the Hotel Opera, about a block and half away at the beginning of the restaurant row Rue des Bouchers. A block to the south was the spectacular Grand Place, and the immediate area around the metro station was a busy downtown business/shopping district.

Like BTilke says, weekend rates are usually much lower.

You should also try checking 3rd party booking websites such as
booking.com
hrs.de
etc.

I was able to book a room at the recently-renovated Floris Arlequin (very close to Grand Place) for just €64/n incl breakfast. This is for a weekend in Sept 08. I booked it via hrs.de.

Hi colonna; Try this hotelwelcome.com Iris

Thank you all. I'm going in November, and can certainly stay over a weekend. Will check out your suggestions.