Educational Flybe/Travelcube
Our Flybe flight was Excellent and although it only took 1 hour and 10 minutes there was still time to purchase that favourite perfume and a drink and tasty snack from the bar service. Before we knew it we had landed, passport control was stress free and they were very welcoming.
We transferred from the airport by coach to the Bristol Stephanie Hotel for our first hotel inspection and dinner. On arrival the streets in the centre were very busy and roads were being closed, this happens every Friday evening in the summer and the local people rollerskate and cycle through the centre. It was great to see, I was only too sorry I had not brought my own!
The hotel is part of the Thon group and is situated on Avenue Louise, the most fashionable shopping and business district in Brussels. Rooms are spacious and modern with excellent food. There is free internet connection in the hotel lobby. The Bristol Stephanie is a four star hotel suited for both business and leisure travellers providing five star service. From here we took went to the Crowne Plaza hotel and we checked in for our short stay in Brussels.
Dating back to the 1908, the Crowne Plaza Brussels,'Le Palace' has a long distinguished history and has been at the heart of Brussels daily life since the day it opened. The hotel has provided new and modern comforts but still maintained its unique traditions.
It is within walking distance of the world famous Grand Place and historical centre across the road from the main shopping area and a five minute walk to the north and Midi stain. The rooms are very spacious and modern and have tea and coffee facilities as well as an iron and ironing board - something I cannot live without, maybe the iron, but not my cup of coffee in the morning!
There was plenty of breakfast and the service was excellent. The hotel bar was comfortable and inviting and the prices were very reasonable given that this is a city centre hotel. Breakfast was plenty and the service was excellent. The hotel bar was comfortable and inviting and the prices were very reasonable given that this is a city centre hotel.
In order to show us what the area had to offer Andrea had organised a walking tour around Brussels with a guide from the tourist board. This is the best way to see the city at a reasonable pace and we walked to the old town which took around ten minutes. The area had a lot to offer and the guide painted a picture as he explained how the town developed. The town square was bustling with plenty of shop/bars/restaurants too. We visited 'Poechenellekeider' which is used by locals and well worth a visit also close by is the 'Manneken Pis', an icon of Brussels albeit a very small icon. Sacha our guide, made our tour memorable and exciting.
We then went to the Sheraton for a hotel inspection and lunch; this hotel is situated in the same area as the Crowne Plaza. The hotel is modern and the rooms are light and airy. They also offer interconnecting rooms at this hotel for families and the suites at this hotel are amazing. There is a pool/gym/sauna on the top floor.
Our next visit was the Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre, this a four star hotel which would be a good location to stay for the Christmas markets. Although the hotel is a little dated some rooms have been refurbished and I would recommend paying a little more for these rooms.
We headed back to our hotel to change for our visit and dinner at the Hilton which is next door to our hotel. The hotel was very minimal, although I did like the restaurant/bar area as I thought it was more informal than other Hilton hotels. It was in a great location and ideal for those on a budget.
The next day we took the train into Bruges, trains operate every 30 minutes and it takes an hour. Bruges is very pretty and I would have liked to have spent more time there. I did the traditional Belgium meal "mussels and frites" the portion of mussels would of served three but I still managed not to waste any!!
A great trip with great company.