Finding the right hotel, whether for a business stopover or a city vacation can often be a daunting task.
A number of factors come into play ranging from the price to overall cleanliness and of course accessibility to destinations of choice in the city you are visiting.
Hotel Saint Nicolas in Brussels manages to tick off almost all the major points that I personally, and many travellers look for in a good hotel.
First and foremost, the hotel scores huge on its location. Just a short hop away from the main tourist destination of Brussels – Grand Place – and within a 5-minute walking distance from others like Manneken Pis, the Tintin mural, bars and cafes, metro station, you are bound to save a ton of money on transportation in addition to time.
Positives
- Excellent Location
- Clean Rooms
- Chocolate Theme
Negatives
- Average Breakfast
Breakdown
- Accommodation 3.7/5
- Service 3.7/5
- Location 5.0/5
- Facilities & Amenities 3.5/5
As a hotel, it has been recently refurbished and labelled the “Chocolate Hotel” with dark brown chocolaty interiors and décor. This in itself adds a bit of novelty since Belgium is known for chocolate.
In terms of cleanliness, inside and outside the rooms, the hotel is well taken care of and even though it receives a mix of visitors and is situated in a central area, overall it is quiet and peaceful.
The rooms are well furnished, spacious, with en-suite bathrooms, modern in look, and the chocolate theme runs throughout from the hallways and backboards to the TV display.
While the hotel cannot be termed as luxurious, it is more in line with the present day “business hotels” where you can spend a good night’s sleep without having to worry about anything in particular.
Another speciality of Hotel Saint Nicolas is that in an Annexe next door it offers self-catering apartments which is a great option if you are travelling in a big group, plan to stay in the city for a little longer and are okay with cooking for yourself.
The Breakfast Buffet is pretty plain and simple with eggs, bread, sausages, and cold cuts for everyone and while they do not go over and beyond, it is quite satisfactory.
The room rates range as per requirements and seasons, but on an average, a double room costs about $120 which I feel keeping in mind the location, free Wi-Fi (three cheers for this), and if you manage a deal then in some cases even Breakfast, it’s a bargain.
The service is warm and welcoming with a staff that is always ready to help, making Hotel Saint Nicolas a wonderful option when wanting to reside in the city for a short duration.
