Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre

Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre, opened in 1955, is one of the few privately owned large hotels in the Brussels city center. The lobby’s decor hinges between elegant and dated. An antique wooden desk, marble tiled floors, and large columns give some graceful charm, but it’s the reddish armchairs and worn carpets and rugs that speaks to the property's age. Hallways are equally dated, with green and maroon carpets and yellow walls, as are the elevators, upholstered in green fabric. The restaurant has worn gray-and-white-striped chairs, but the white tablecloths provide an air of sophistication. The piano bar is relaxed, with brown-leather bar stools and dated red or brown couches, chairs, and booths atop a red carpet. There’s a white piano and an odd mix of decor, including a life-sized carousel horse. Though it's primarily a business hotel, it does attract vacationing couples and families as well. 

This hotel has a prime spot in the city center in an area surrounded by restaurants and attractions. The city's main square, the Grand Place, is a six-minute walk away, while the Royal Palace is a 15-minute walk. Stadhuis van Brussel takes seven minutes on foot to reach. There’s a multitude of public transportation options nearby, with both tram and bus stops within a three-minute walk of the hotel. The Bruxelles-Chapelle train station is a six-minute walk and Brussels Airport is a 20-minute drive away.

The warm-toned rooms at Bedford Hotel have soft splashes of green or blue and come in a variety of sizes, from small Standard Single rooms to spacious Business and Executive Rooms. Each room includes lovely blond-wood floors, one to four armchairs per room, and a well-sized work desk. However, much of the wood-laminate furniture has visible wear and tear. Some rooms are more updated than others, but for the most part, they’re well maintained, albeit with a slightly dated style. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and safes, but they lack facilities for making tea and coffee. Views vary, and some rooms look out on a gray, dull courtyard. Bathrooms are sleek, with white, gray, or tan tile, shower/tub combos, plenty of counter space, hairdryers, and toiletries. Past guests have complained about cleanliness and noise issues.

The Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre provides a mix of amenities for its diverse clientele. Business travelers make use of the 17 fully equipped meeting rooms that hold up to 715 people, as well as a business center with three public computers. There’s also free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, but guests have reported spotty connections. As far as dining, there’s a free breakfast buffet served in the mornings and a restaurant with a buffet and a la carte menus for lunch or dinner. The piano bar provides a wide selection of drinks and small snacks throughout the day. There’s also a fitness center with dated cardio and weight-training equipment and lovely views of Brussels. On-site parking is available for a fee and a one-way free shuttle from the hotel can be arranged for a surcharge.