Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place

Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place occupies a large corner building on a busy street. Once through the glass revolving doors, guests arrive in the spacious, uncluttered lobby area: there's lots of natural light thanks to large windows, plus white-tiled floors add to the sensation of space and light. Olive green contemporary-style sofas are clustered around a sleek coffee table, but other than a couple of stylish armchairs and the reception counters along one wall, there is very little furniture taking up space. The hotel's restaurant and bar is similarly sleek and stylish, with a dark red and brown color scheme and modern furniture. Most guests staying here tend to be business travelers during the week, while weekends see many couples visiting the city on vacation. 

Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place is located in the center of the city on a street known for its avant-garde designer shops, and it's directly opposite the stock exchange, known as La Bourse. This area of the city is part of an experimental pedestrian area, and there are many cafes and restaurants within walking distance, plus it's close to Place Saint Gery, which is known for its nightlife. The underground tram that connects to the metro system is easily accessible, with Bourse station is only a two-minute walk away.

• One-minute walk to Bourse Stock Exchange
• Two-minute walk to Bourse underground tram station
• Three-minute walk to Place Saint Gery
• Four-minute walk to Grand Place
• Seven-minute walk to Manneken Pis
• Nine-minute walk to Central Station
• 10-minute walk to Rue Neuve shopping street
• 15-minute walk to the Royal Palace of Brussels
• 12-minute drive to European Parliament
• 12-minute drive to European Commission
• 14-minute drive to European Council
• 31-minute drive to Brussels Airport

The guest rooms and suites at Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place are spacious, with a minimum of 291-square-feet of floor space in the standard Deluxe Rooms. Decor is tasteful and classic, featuring a color palette of browns and beiges: Dark-wood furniture is paired with patterned carpeting, while mahogany-hued bed runners top crisp, white linens. There are olive green armchairs and work desks with ergonomic chairs, while floor and table lamps provide pleasant mood lighting. Other amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms are decked out in beige tiles and equipped with shower/tub combos, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and toiletries. All but the entry-level Deluxe Rooms have free Wi-Fi. Most of the rooms and suites have city views, but guests have complained about noise in street-facing rooms. Ear plugs are available in-room for this reason.

Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place provides upscale features with an eye toward its business traveler clientele. Midtown Bar & Grill, the on-site restaurant, is open throughout the day. Breakfast is served here for a pricey extra fee and offers a large hot and cold buffet. The lunch and dinner menu features American-style steaks, seafood, salads, and local dishes. The restaurant also provides 24-hour room service. Access to the Executive Lounge is open to guests staying in the Club Rooms and Suites, who are welcome to enjoy a free continental breakfast, refreshments throughout the day, and an evening cocktail with appetizers. The evening cocktails can get crowded, however, and some guests feel that choices are limited compared to other international Marriott locations. The on-site fitness center is small, but well-equipped with cardiovascular equipment and free weights. A business center is also available for guests' use, as well as meeting facilities covering an area of almost 7,000 square feet that can accommodate up to 500 people. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas and all rooms except for Deluxe Rooms, where it incurs an extra fee (although it's free for Marriott Rewards members -- the hotel's loyalty club that's free to join). On-site parking is available for an extra fee.