Ibis Brussels Centre Gare Midi

“A good hotel in a good location for a city break”

This is a really good hotel for those who want easy access to the railway, such as those arriving or leaving on Eurostar or TGV. Some have said its tricky to find the hotel if you leave by the wrong exit from Midi station- maybe the hotel should emphasise to leave by the Avenue Fonsny exit, its si… more

This is a really good hotel for those who want easy access to the railway, such as those arriving or leaving on Eurostar or TGV. Some have said its tricky to find the hotel if you leave by the wrong exit from Midi station- maybe the hotel should emphasise to leave by the Avenue Fonsny exit, its signposted inside the station and easily visible from that exit. It is a two minute walk at most, one road to cross. Local cars seem very good at stopping for you on the 'zebra' crossings, not so sure about the youths on their electric scooters. Yes, there are some locals 'hanging around' but I [elderly gent] passed to and fro approx sixteen times without feeling in any way threatened. Yes, the area is a bit of a mess, but get real, its next to a busy capital city railway station with 22 platforms and an extensive shopping and eating mall. Access to other more 'touristy' central places is easy by the Metro on line 4 from Midi. [Other metro and tram routes to all areas, buses too but its harder to find out where they go. Tickets have to be bought beforehand, usually from machines. A day ticket for all the buses, metro, trams, cost 8 euro and saves having to worry about paying the correct fare.] As to the inside of the hotel, well, I did book a slightly pricier room with the tea and coffee facilities, and pre-paid breakfast. Reception was friendly and efficient, and once I had worked out how to use the room 'key' to activate the lift [a sensible security precaution] everything was good. The room was spacious and clean and comfortable, the shower room likewise. No safe storage in the room but they do have coin operated lockers on the first floor. The TV had many channels, including most of the UK channels such as BBC1/2 and ITV 1/2. [The sound was a bit muffled though.] I agree with a previous writer, the Air Conditioning in my room was just circulating what was there to begin with, I set it to the lowest temperature and it made no difference. [Room 419]. I did not report it as I coped. Breakfast was varied, typical buffet breakfast you would get in a good hotel. The evening bar offered a limited snack menu- pizzas for example, and was convenient and adequate having arrived too tired to go off wandering. For more variety locally there are several bistros lining a street at the other side of the station, just go straight throug the concourse. You won't want to use this hotel for a romantic honeymoon event with a candle lit gournmet supper, but for a city break with excellent transport links it ticks all the boxes.

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