Within walking distance to public transportation and some attractions
Simple, modern rooms with flat-screen TVs and writing desks
Some rooms have mini-fridges and air-conditioning
Lounge with pool table, Xbox, and bean bags
Breakfast buffet included in rate, with gluten-free options for a fee
iMacs available for guests' use, and free Wi-Fi throughout
Lovely outdoor furnished patio
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Free nearby public parking
Neighborhood can feel a bit touch-and-go
Some rooms show a bit of wear and tear
AC can be faulty in some rooms and missing in others
No in-room coffeemakers
No on-site bar or restaurant for lunch and dinner
The lower-middle-range Floris Ustel Midi, housed in four renovated Art Nouveau buildings near the Midi train station, covers the basics. Its 114 rooms are modern if a bit utilitarian-looking, but not all have air-conditioning, and some show wear and tear. Larger rooms include mini-fridges. A breakfast buffet is included in the room rate, and gluten-free options are available for an extra fee. A relaxation lounge packs in iMacs, an Xbox, a pool table, and a reading corner, and a lovely outdoor patio beckons in the warmer months. The location is a little off the standard tourist track in a neighborhood that can feel a little gritty -- some guests have reported feeling uncomfortable walking around there. Travelers could consider Motel One, which has a hip design, lobby bar, and a location that’s closer to the Grand Place and Central Station.
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Scene
Contemporary value hotel with streamlined design and a diverse clientele
Floris Ustel Midi is a value hotel set within four Art Nouveau buildings in a slowly gentrifying neighborhood that might strike some as sketchy. The design is streamlined with some chic hints. A silver front desk complements light-colored tile floors, textured gray walls, and a purple-patterned accent wall in the lobby. Farther in, there’s a seating area next to vending machines with gray contemporary couches and chairs with zebra prints. This seating area melds into the breakfast room, which has sleek silver tables and black chairs in one area, and high-backed chic cream-colored chairs and patterned tabletops in another. Light from large wall-to-wall windows floods the space. In the warmer months, guests can gather or take breakfast on a lovely outdoor patio with plenty of seating. The hotel diverts from its neutral color scheme in the "relaxation room," which has bulbous hanging lamps in green, red, yellow, and blue; colorful phrases are stenciled on the walls, and multicolored bean bags occupy a corner. Given its proximity to Midi Station, which serves the Thalys, Eurostar, and TGV international train lines, the hotel draws a diverse mix of tourists and business travelers passing through Brussels.
Location
Near Midi Station, about a 20-minute walk to the Grand Place
Floris Ustel Midi is in Cureghem, a slowly gentrifying area that's about a five-minute walk to Midi Station, where the main international train lines converge. Located between Molenbeek and Anderlecht, the area is lively, however, some guests report feeling unsafe as they walk around here, especially at night. There's a well-known flea market nearby, and antiques shops, cafes, and a handful of dining options surround the hotel. The Grand Place, the focal point of the city, is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel, while the Cathedral of St. Michael, St. Gudula, and the Royal Palace of Brussels are almost a half-hour away on foot. Travelers can head to a bus stop that's two minutes away, or catch a tram or metro at Midi Station, about a five-minute walk from the hotel. It’s a 28- to 35-minute drive to Brussels Airport.
Rooms
Modern, utilitarian rooms with flat-screen TVs, and safes; some with AC and mini-fridges
Floris Ustel Midi's 114 rooms range from Superior Single Rooms to Quadruple Rooms to Executive Rooms. The design is pretty consistent throughout: laminate wood floors, white beds, dark-brown furniture, and black- and-brown print bed runners. A few Superior Twin Rooms break the mold, adding colorful wall art in the form of stripes and circles. Some of the rooms show wear and tear, such as nicks and scratches on the furniture, and they lack coffeemakers. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, safes, and writing desks. Air-conditioning is only provided in some rooms, and guests have complained about faulty AC maintenance in rooms that do have it. Quadruple or Triple Rooms provide extra space and pullout couches, and Quadruple and Executive Rooms add mini-fridges. The simple, white-tile bathrooms have square raised sinks and shower/tub combos or shower stalls. Hairdryers and basic toiletries are provided.
Features
Free continental breakfast, plus a game room, iMacs, free Wi-Fi, and same-day laundry service
Apart from a full restaurant or bar, Floris Ustel Midi covers the basics well. A standout feature is the daily breakfast buffet of eggs, bacon, croissants, cold cuts, and cheeses that's included in the room rate -- gluten-free options are available for a small fee. As far as entertainment goes, there’s a relaxation lounge with a large flat-screen TV with an Xbox, a pool table, and a set of iMac desktops. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and free public parking can be found nearby. The hotel also offers same-day laundry service for a fee.
