Brussels. Where to stay? What to do?

Question

Hi, myself and my husband are flying into Brussels Charleroi airport late Nov for a long weekend. Never been here before. Cant find the distance to centre of brussels from Charleroi. Only getting results for Brussels airport. Is this the same thing? Sorry if its a stupid question.
Ive been recommened to stay at HOTEL BLOOM. Its located at Rue Royale in central Brussels. I dont know if this is central to everywhere or anywhere!
Has anyone got any ideas where to stay/ eat/ drink ? What would you recommend we do there? What is there to do there??!!
Personal experiences would be so helpful to us, as we have looked online but you cant beat word of mouth.
Thanks in advance for your help and ideas!!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

1. As for Airport shuttle, here is the link with information : http://www.charleroi-airport.com/doc.php…
and you may book online here:
http://www.voyages-lelan.be/xml/navette-…

The shuttle go to the South Brussels Railway Station.

2. As for hotels, I suggest you to book hotel in Central downtown Brussel because most attractions are located there.

The above-mentioned railway station is located in South downtown Brussels while Hotel Bloom is located North downtown Brussels.

Have a look at Venere, a major European hotel booking site with guest reviews. You may sort hotels by category and area :
http://www.venere.com/belgium/brussels/?…

I think Hotel NH Grand Place ( 7 minute walking from Central railway station) would be a good choice due to its very good location, just near St Michael cathedral, les Galeries royales, l'îlot sacré and its restaurants, the Grand Place (at about 8 min. walking) and ,a bit further, Manneken Pis. Also the Comic Strip Center and its beautiful "art nouveau (Victor Horta)" hall is at a very short walking distance from the hotel. On working days, Rue Neuve and the shopping area as well as Place de brouckere are also at walking distance.

The Royal Palace, Royal Park, some famous museums (incl. Magritte Museum, Musical Instruments Museum - also an "art nouveau" building- and Fine arts Museum) are located at about 15/20 minutes wallking distance from above-mentioned hotel.

The Atomium is away from the other Brussels attractions and can be reached easily by subway.

There are of course other hotels in Central Brussels, incl. some top hotels which may be cheaper on WE than the other days. .

Hotel Bloom is situated at about 20/25 min. walking distance from the Grand Place/ Manneken Pis area and about the same distance from the Royal palace and Museums area

keep in mind that museums are closed on Monday.
.

Source(s):

http://www.willgoto.com/

Answer 2

there are quite a few sites that you can search that will likely show you great hotels at the best prices available. check out the website BookMe and you will be able to compare prices on all the reputable travel sites in just a couple minutes. it's very convenient and will save you a bunch of time and money. Also, make sure you buy them online... otherwise they charge much higher fees for phone orders. good luck.

Source(s):

www,BookMe,com

Answer 3

Don't go to Bruges ( it's a shithole).

Source(s):

In Bruges - Colin Farell.

Answer 4

Hello,Charleroi is just a small airport so you will be ok the shuttle bus is just outside and either go to the train station or by bus its well sign posted and easy as you are not flying into and large International airport there is so much to do in Brussels and you will enjoy if you feel you want to see more and you are fit get to the train staiton and go to Gent or Brugge for the day fantastic take the boat trip along the canals and the guide tells you the history Gent is about 40mins by train and Brugge over and hour and 20 mins when you arrive at Gent St Peters station jump on the tram at the door and go for the Koormarket 10 mins on the tram and you are at the town centre such wonderful history great food bars and so much to see have a great time you will http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp4QV1Cwi…

Source(s):

http://www.booking.com/landmark/be/grand…

Answer 5

Travel from Charleroi airpot (actually called Brussels South Airport because Ryanair wanted) can easily by Shuttle bus, train or taxi.

Hotel Bloom is a famous modern design hotel in Brussels. It is located near the Botanique garden what is on walk distance of the Market square. During WE's you can have good prices at the big international hotels. I suggest you do some search on the internet. I can recommend Tripadvisor.com for good reviews.

What to do? Of course visit the Market with nice historical buildings, the little statue of Manneke Pis, visit a museum if you are interested. Last summer the new Margritte Museum opened. It is located just behind the Royal Palace and there are some other museums in the same area. If you walk down that street you will arrive at the big court house. Take the lift to downtown (the Marollen). See also the Zavel square with nice art galeries and antique shops.
Take metro or tram to the Heysel area and visit the Atomnium, the symbol for the World Expo of 1958.
Go shopping in the Nieuwstraat and window shopping in the Avenue Louize and Dansaertstraat.
Have a drink in one of the many nice pubs, like around the Beurs (Stock Market).
There are many nice restaurants. The Rue du boucher is most famous but personally I dont like it that much, too crowdy and too much tourists ;-)
Ask for tips in your hotel!

Source(s):

http://www.pandhotel.com/brusselse.htm

Answer 6

Hi,

Brussels Charleroi airport isn't the same as Brussels airport. I know it's confusing. Brussels Charleroi airport is about 50 km (31 miles) from the center of Brussels. On the official website you can find more information, also on how to get into the center: http://www.charleroi-airport.com/doc.php… I've taken the shuttle once and that was reasonable priced and on time.

Accommodation: because I live in Belgium I haven't stayed in that many hotels :) But I did stay once at the Marriott (http://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/Brus… which was really nice!
If you want to look up hotels and compare prices: http://www.isabellestravelguide.com/comp…
I've never hear about Hotel Bloom. But it will be good, if someone recommends it :) It is 1.4 km out of the center though. But there is a metro.

My favorite address to have breakfast or lunch is at 'Le pain quotidien', it has several locations in Brussels: http://www.lepainquotidien.be/

As what there is to see, check out my 'places to visit in Belgium' page: http://www.isabellestravelguide.com/plac… Maybe you even have time for Bruges as well ;-)

Hope this helps!

Have a great trip,
Isabelle from www.isabellestravelguide.com

Source(s):

native Belgian
www.isabellestravelguide.com
www.lepainquotidien.com
www.charleroi-airport.com