Hotel Scandic Grand Place

Located at 18 rue d'Arenberg, a road that leads to the Grand-Place via Rue de la Montagne, then Rue de la Colline (a 5-minute walk). The nearest underground station: Gare Centrale (a 7-minute walk). Underground journey time to reach Bruxelles Midi station (arrival and departure of Thalys trains): 20 minutes from the Gare Centrale station (with a change).

Children up to 13 years of age stay free of charge in their parents' room. Breakfast is also free of charge for them. This offer is only valid when you book a superior room as standard rooms are not spacious enough.
Accommodation advice
Some rooms overlook the covered atrium of the lounge bar and restaurant. As the atrium rises above the bedrooms, the windows directly overlook the tables. These should be avoided wherever possible.

The Scandic Grand Place is housed in an old-style building along a very busy street (cars and buses). However, as soon as you are inside, the noise and the traffic fade away. The open, though somewhat limited-sized area is divided between the reception desk to the one side and glass-walled lifts at the far end, through the central atrium which houses the bar and restaurant tables. There are no other communal areas and no lounge area, but guests can sit at the tables in the bar, particularly those wanting to surf the Internet on their laptops as the area has Wi-Fi. Another facility available to clients: the sauna. It's a shame there isn't a whirlpool bath to complement it - that would be great!

The 100 bedrooms are split between standard and superior categories. The more spacious ones have a floor area of 269 sq ft. If there are 2 of you staying in a standard room you are likely to find it a little cramped (around 172 sq ft). Bring as little luggage as possible, or request a superior room (that way you will also have tea and coffee-making facilities). As far as the view is concerned, the best placed bedrooms overlook the other buildings in the area, on the courtyard side (no noise). Compared to the 40 bedrooms which overlook the bar and restaurant area, they allow you to open a window for some fresh air. This is worth remembering if you like to get some fresh air into the room when you get up in the morning. Other rooms have a different outward-looking view: the front of the hotel overlooking Rue d'Arenberg. But despite the fact that the rooms are sound-proofed, those with sensitive ears will feel like they are staying above a main road in these rooms. The rooms are fitted out basically and in a Nordic style. You will notice the wooden flooring and the recycling sorting bins. The bathrooms are just large enough to accommodate a bathtub. A hair-dryer and hospitality products in the form of non-removable Lux shower gel dispensers are provided Other facilities include air-conditioning, a telephone, a mini-bar and a flat screen television.

All meals are served in the same area, which doubles as the bar: the atrium, which is slightly raised in comparison to the reception and lit via a glass roof built over the top floor of the building. Breakfast is taken in this area in the morning. This is served in the form of a buffet and is included in the price of the room. It consists of 110 different foods! Rather than count them (to check how many there area), head for the bio area (which includes yogurts, cereals, bread and tea), or the gourmet area: notably scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. Guests can help themselves to coffee. At lunchtime, as a change from a cone of chips, poultry waterzooi and chicory gratin (specialities you should try in the local eateries), why not try the cheerful, inexpensive Express lunch set menu: a set price (£9.17) for a quick, light meal. And you can choose your own ingredients to enhance your mixed salad or wrap, a sandwich wrapped in a tortilla. A drink of your choice is included (wine, beer or soft drink), along with coffee or tea to finish. Having tried it we can confirm that it is an original option and that the wrap version is large enough to keep you going through the afternoon. The restaurant's evening menu offers a selection of Belgian, Nordic (meatballs and cranberry sauce) and international (5-spice fillet of salmon) dishes. For something a little more expensive, try the beer and a main meal deal for around £12.