9 Hotel Central

Located in a historic townhouse, 9Hotel Central was opened in 2001 after renovations by Barcelona-based architecture and design firm Castel Veciana. Although it's one of a few properties in the 9Hotel portfolio (others are in Paris and Lisbon), this Brussels location retains its own unique, boutique character. The common areas and rooms feel like a industrial-chic downtown loft, featuring concrete, exposed brick, and a mix of minimalist furniture and antique pieces from Rajasthan, India. Aside from occasional traffic noise, the property is largely quiet and relaxed. Most guests who stay here are couples, though there are also some business travelers given its proximity to the station and city airport. 

The property is practically adjacent to Brussels' central train station -- just a three-minute walk will get guests there, which is great for those passing through as part of a larger Belgian or European tour. The Gare Centrale metro station is a one-minute walk across the street, which provides great connections to the rest of the city. Top tourist sights in Brussels, like the Grand Square, the Manneken Pis, Film Museum, Magritte Museum, and the Royal Square, are all within a 10-minute walk. Numerous restaurants, bars, and shops are all in the immediate surrounds. Brussels Airport is 15 to 20 minutes away by car and 18 minutes by direct train to Brussels Central station. 

9Hotel's 47 air-conditioned rooms play on the common spaces' loft vibe, with crisp-white linens set against beautiful exposed brick and stylish wood floors. Storage is limited to some hanging space and a few wooden crates. Many rooms have balconies looking out over the city; those in Classic Rooms aren't big enough for furniture, but Club Rooms and Suites have lovely large furnished terraces. Single Rooms have beds that are slightly larger than a normal single bed, while Classic Rooms have a queen-sized bed or two single beds -- it's best to specify the preferred type when booking. All rooms come with electric kettles alongside tea and coffee, safes, free Wi-Fi, and small flat-screen satellite TVs. The top-tier categories (Suites and Club) have king-size beds, mini-fridges with bottled water, Bluetooth speakers, and Nespresso machines. Bathrooms are inarguably compact, either outfitted with small showers or shower/tub combos. Slippers, hairdryers, and eco-friendly toiletries are supplied. Because it's on a main road, lower-floor rooms in the front of the building can be a bit noisy. 

Features are unsurprisingly limited for this three-pearl urban hotel. There's no full restaurant, but a well-reviewed buffet breakfast is served in a chic space with communal tables. However, it's a bit expensive compared to what can be purchased in a nearby cafe or bakery. A self-service bar is adjacent to the lobby (and a cozy sitting room) and it's open around the clock. Another downside is the lack of wellness facilities. An attractive co-working space is also available for guests to work personally or to hold meetings. Parking is available for a standard per-day charge. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the property.