Brussels is compact, but where you stay shapes your trip. The old town around the Grand-Place puts the headline sights on your doorstep, the streets around the opera and the royal galleries offer calm and style, Saint-Gilles feels local and creative, and the canal side offers the best value. Here is how the neighbourhoods compare, and the hotels we recommend in each.
The Grand-Place: for the classic first visit
Staying a few steps from the Grand-Place means you can see the square at dawn and after dark without planning, and walk to Manneken-Pis, the royal galleries and the museums of the upper town. The downside is crowds and prices. Our pick is Hotel Amigo, the grand address directly behind the Town Hall, with elegant rooms, Italian dining at Ristorante Bocconi and attentive service. It is the city's classic splurge.
La Monnaie and the royal galleries: for style and calm
A few minutes north of the Grand-Place, the area around the opera house and the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is central but quieter. The Dominican, a design hotel built on the site of a former abbey, offers calm courtyard rooms and a dramatic lounge. Hôtel des Galeries, a small boutique hotel inside the glass-roofed arcade, is the most charming address in the city. Both are a short walk from the Grand-Place and close to good restaurants.
Saint-Gilles and Louise: for a local feel
South of the centre, Saint-Gilles is one of the most lively neighbourhoods in Brussels, with cafés, bars, markets and Art Nouveau houses. It is a tram or metro ride from the old town, or a longer walk downhill. JAM Hotel, in a former art college with a rooftop plunge pool and bar, is a stylish and good-value base for travellers who prefer a neighbourhood feel.
The canal: for budget and families
West of the old town, the canal area is changing fast, with converted industrial buildings and the creative Dansaert district nearby. MEININGER Hotel Bruxelles City Center, in a converted 1912 brewery, offers private rooms, dorms, a guest kitchen and a bar. It is within walking distance of the Grand-Place and the best value pick for families, groups and budget travellers.
Which to choose
For a first visit with comfort and a central address, choose Hotel Amigo or, for a lower rate, The Dominican or Hôtel des Galeries. For a creative, local experience, choose JAM Hotel. For the best value, choose MEININGER. Wherever you stay, the old town is walkable and public transport is efficient, so you will not be far from anything.
What about the European quarter?
The area around the EU institutions and the Cinquantenaire park has many large business hotels with good weekend rates, but it empties out in the evening and is a metro ride from the old town. It makes sense for a work trip or a visit to the Parlamentarium and the House of European History, less so for a first leisure visit, which is why none of our picks are there.
Practical tips
Book early for the festive season and summer weekends. Many hotels are business-focused, so weekend rates can be good value. If you arrive by train at Brussels-Midi, factor in a short metro or tram ride to your hotel, and if you plan a day trip to Bruges, a hotel near Brussels Central saves time in the morning.