MAS Residence

MAS Residence resides in a restored 19th-century "maison de maitre," a type of old city home with lovely features. There’s not much of a lobby, just a front desk that glows with electric lights behind a glass facade. (Note that reception has limited hours.) Off the lobby is a sophisticated library with gray-tiled floors that blend in well with brown and tan loveseats and upholstered chairs. A glass chandelier, a marble fireplace, and intricate gold crown molding shows off the elegance of the building’s historic past. Most guests here are long-term or business travelers interested in the home-like atmospheres of the apartments; apparently, one guest even stayed for 10 years.

MAS Residence is located in a business district just outside the city center. The location is convenient for business travelers needing easy access to the European Commission Headquarters and the European Parliament, which are three minutes and nine minutes away on foot, respectively. Central tourist attractions such as the Grand Place and the Royal Palace can be reached in about 14 minutes on public transportation. Though the immediate area lacks restaurants and shopping options, there’s a range of public transportation. A bus stop takes two minutes on foot to reach, and it’s about a six-minute walk between two different metros from the hotel. Brussels Airport is a 22-minute drive away. 

Clean and simple, the apartments of MAS Residence offer a home-away-from-home atmosphere. Each is individually decorated, but all share similarities such as blond-wood floors and single-colored accent walls, and many have marble fireplaces. Sophisticated parquet floors and crown molding have been preserved in some apartments, giving a more historic and elegant look to those particular units. By contrast, the furniture is streamlined and has the appearance of something from an IKEA catalog -- basic and simple. And some guests complain that the mattresses are uncomfortable. All apartments or studios have loveseats, flat-screen TVs, and desks, plus kitchenettes with microwaves, stocked full-sized fridges or minibars, kettles and coffeemakers, dishes, and two or four-burner stove tops. Some units also have stackable washers and dryers and balconies. Bathrooms are outfitted with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Be aware that room prices are based on single occupancy and additional persons incur an extra charge. It’s also worth noting that smoking suites are available.

As an apartment-hotel, MAS Residence lacks many of the amenities common to traditional hotels geared toward short-term travelers. There’s no restaurant, gym, pool, or sauna. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the property, and on-site parking is offered for a fee (as long as it’s booked in advance). There’s a lovely outdoor garden, but no seating is provided. The front desk can lend out electric adapters and phone chargers to guests free of charge.